Our Visionary Founder &
Head of school
“The Nest is the example of what happens when love meets opportunity, where hope is stronger than fear, and that education, offered with dignity, can reshape futures.”
– MC Hildreth
Our Visionary Founder &
Head of school
“The Nest is the example of what happens when love meets opportunity, where hope is stronger than fear, and that education, offered with dignity, can reshape futures.”
– MC Hildreth
MC Hildreth, Founding Executive Director and Head of School. MC is the very heartbeat of the Nest’s mission. MC saw what others overlooked, believed in what others said was Impossible, created a place where students don’t just attend school—they heal, they grow, they thrive, and they take flight.
What began as a bold vision to serve refugee, immigrant, and underserved children in East Charlotte has grown into a transformative movement—because of her relentless commitment, her deep love for people, and her belief that every child deserves to rise. Her leadership is not just administrative—it is personal. It is hands-on. It is heart-first. She has walked alongside children, families and our community through their pain and their promise. She has lifted staff, families, and partners into the work of possibility. She is the reason The Nest Academy has not only survived—but soared.
MC is a visionary, multicultural pioneer and trailblazer with two and a half decades in nonprofit and meaningful community engagement, including nonprofit education, literacy, enrichment and after school programs, church planting, multicultural collectives including sports outreach, strategic community partnerships, refugee family and educational support, K-12 administration, instruction and post secondary support and has served as an advocate for refugees navigating our city and country at a disadvantage.
MC has worked 24 years in full-time refugee and within marginalized communities in Chicago (K-5 Education Coordinator-World Relief) and for 21 years in Charlotte in leadership, outreach, education, development and advancement.
MC is passionate about optimizing volunteer engagement, connecting strategic partnerships in the private and public sectors, stewarding and linking social responsibility, working to aid in public policy efforts, and championing the success of a very deserving population.
MC’s most recent meaningful and strategic partnership with Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church allows for an even greater impact on Charlotte’s Eastside through additional programming to embrace and support more some of Charlotte’s most vulnerable children and their families.
She has served in several roles as nonprofit founder and director, worked over a decade in nonprofit consulting, and was recognized as one of Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women, The YMCA Diversity and Inclusion Global Ambassador Award, 2025 City of Charlotte Martin Luther King Growing The Dream Award Recipient, 2025 Kitty Garner Energizer Award. She most proud to be a mom and parent (her children were all Nest students and alumn) and serve as Head of School.
MC Hildreth, Founding Executive Director and Head of School. MC is the very heartbeat of the Nest’s mission. MC saw what others overlooked, believed in what others said was Impossible, created a place where students don’t just attend school—they heal, they grow, they thrive, and they take flight.
What began as a bold vision to serve refugee, immigrant, and underserved children in East Charlotte has grown into a transformative movement—because of her relentless commitment, her deep love for people, and her belief that every child deserves to rise. Her leadership is not just administrative—it is personal. It is hands-on. It is heart-first. She has walked alongside children, families and our community through their pain and their promise. She has lifted staff, families, and partners into the work of possibility. She is the reason The Nest Academy has not only survived—but soared.
MC is a visionary, multicultural pioneer and trailblazer with two and a half decades in nonprofit and meaningful community engagement, including nonprofit education, literacy, enrichment and after school programs, church planting, multicultural collectives including sports outreach, strategic community partnerships, refugee family and educational support, K-12 administration, instruction and post secondary support and has served as an advocate for refugees navigating our city and country at a disadvantage.
MC has worked 24 years in full-time refugee and within marginalized communities in Chicago (K-5 Education Coordinator-World Relief) and for 21 years in Charlotte in leadership, outreach, education, development and advancement.
MC is passionate about optimizing volunteer engagement, connecting strategic partnerships in the private and public sectors, stewarding and linking social responsibility, working to aid in public policy efforts, and championing the success of a very deserving population.
MC’s most recent meaningful and strategic partnership with Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church allows for an even greater impact on Charlotte’s Eastside through additional programming to embrace and support more some of Charlotte’s most vulnerable children and their families.
She has served in several roles as nonprofit founder and director, worked over a decade in nonprofit consulting, and was recognized as one of Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women, The YMCA Diversity and Inclusion Global Ambassador Award, 2025 City of Charlotte Martin Luther King Growing The Dream Award Recipient, 2025 Kitty Garner Energizer Award. She most proud to be a mom and parent (her children were all Nest students and alumn) and serve as Head of School.
Meet Our Team
Jaden Garrett
Executive Assistant to the Head of School
Jaden Garrett, Nest Academy Alumna, joins our Nest team as Assistant to the Head of School and Junior at UNCC majoring in Communications. In a unique role as daughter of our Head of School, alumna of the Nest and college student, Jaden has exemplified leadership, innovation and strength to The Nest team. Having been a part of The Nest since its inception, Jaden’s first hand knowledge and experience of Nest Operations and Management has been a great addition to The Nest team. Jaden support volunteer, parent and student communications, social media, manages community partnership and is a pillar of support to our Head Of School. We are proud of the way Jaden has stepped into a role where she leads and directs Academy Administrative and Executive support well.
Jordan Cristobal
Middle School Teacher
Ellen Leitch
Lower School ESL Tutor, Board of Directors
Ellen Leitch is a 1984 graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Commerce. After graduation she worked as a CPA at Coopers & Lybrand ( now PWC)in Washington, DC. She married David Leitch in 1985 and they have three children. While raising their kids, Ellen taught ESL to the immigrants and diplomats from 33 different countries through McLean Presbyterian Church and coached gymnastics at the YMCA. In 2005, the Leitches moved to Michigan for David’s job. Ellen tutored at-risk kids in an after-school enrichment/dinner program. She was also on the board of The Lighthouse, a community-based organization that housed and educated homeless mothers until they became self-sufficient. Ellen and David have been in Charlotte since 2016, when David took a job with Bank of America. Ellen has recently left the board of Council for Children’s Rights and is excited about becoming more involved with The Nest. Her hobbies include cooking, golf, travel, and her dog, Cash.
Lia White
Lower School Teacher
Dr. T Leon Williams
Director of Operations and Chief of Staff
Dr. T Leon Williams has earned a Bachelor degree from Ohio Northern University (92’) in Business Administration, a Master degree of Science of Education from The University of Dayton (95’), and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from School of Religion at Virginia University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. Professionally, Williams has served twenty years in higher education at three different small premiere private institutions, Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, and most recently Elon University in Elon, North Carolina. Today, Williams is the Pastor of Beloved Community Church and Chief of Staff and Director of Operations at The Nest Academy.
Reesh Oghra
Middle/High School Chemistry & Math Teacher
Reesh Oghra is a passionate educator who recently joined our team after relocating to Charlotte, NC, with his wife, Sheetal, and their two boys, Evan and Noah, from New York City. With two years of experience as a physical education teacher in the NYC school system, Reesh excels at inspiring children through fitness and mentorship, fostering both physical and emotional growth.
Before teaching, Reesh served as a missions coordinator at The Brooklyn Tabernacle, leading international missions across Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and South Asia, where he organized business training, medical clinics, and community outreach programs. He also brings 12 years of technical expertise from his career as a software engineer in the U.S. defense industry, financial services, and interactive marketing.
Reesh’s diverse background, enthusiasm, and commitment to connection make him an invaluable addition to our team. We’re excited for the impact he will have on our community.
Dashaun Walters
Mathematics Teacher
Bill Lawing
College and Career Advisor
Pender Murphy
Tennis Coach and Classroom Volunteer
Laura Reed
Director of Academic Programming
Laura Reed joined the Nest Academy’s staff in 2019 as volunteer middle school teacher and is now teaching all grade levels and serves and co-leads the Nest’s Administrative staff.
Prior to joining the Nest Academy, Laura was the Director of Professional Development for the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) for 6 years. Before working with the state association, Laura served as Head of School at Noble Academy in Greensboro for 8 years. She has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Jan Aaron
Educational Therapist and Consultant Language, Reading and Speech Specialist
Jan has a B.S., Education; M.S., Educational Psychology. She is a Professionally Certified NILD Educational Therapist, an Orton-Gillingham Educator, and has a Private Practice in Matthews, NC, Educational Therapists of the Carolinas.
Joe Leischner
Executive Chef and Culinary Arts Teacher
Paul Carty
Classroom Volunteer
Jacki Cristobal
Middle & Upper School Lead Teacher
Jacki obtained her Bachelor’s in Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She is a Certified teacher specializing in language. Her teaching career began in 2009 as the FIRST Nest Academy teacher to the first 5 academy girls. Jacki’s love for teaching and experience has grown and she is lead teacher of The Nest Academy, now 13 years later.
Renee Hansen
Lower School Teacher
Carol Lye
Speech and Language Pathologist
Maria Patella
Meditation, Mindfulness, and Teacher
Laurel Warfield
Reading Specialist
2025 Nest Academy
Board of Directors
Dain Dulaney
Board Chairman
Steve Heffner
Board Co-Chairman
Ann Tabor
Edson Munekata
Ellen Leitch
Leslie Helms
Allison Hickman
Reggie Pinchum
Carol Lye
Kim Hanson
Connor Derrick
Mary Catherine Hildreth
Executive Director
Years of Academic Excellence
plus Students Enrolled
First Generation Graduates
Volunteers Serve weekly
GET IN TOUCH
Location
The Nest Academy at Albermarle Road Presbyterian Church
6740 Albemarle Road Charlotte NC, 28212
(A driveway away from the Simmons YMCA)
School Hours
Monday-Thursday: 7:45am - 3:00pm
Friday : 7:45am - 12:00 pm
Weekends: Closed
Phone & Email
980-477-0327
[email protected]