AMS Impact Group Leadership Team
Erik Greenberg, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Erik has spent his entire career in education serving in various leadership capacities in both Higher Education and Early Education. He is very passionate about education, particularly providing equal opportunities for education to all students. Prior to joining AMS, Erik served as VP of Operations for Early Education schools. He led operations for over 20 schools in various states in the Western United States. In that role, he learned how vital education is in the early years of a child’s life. Prior to that, Erik spent over a decade in Higher Education. Throughout his time, he led larger enrollment teams and eventually lead entire campus teams serving as Campus President in both Washington D.C. and Dallas, Texas. Erik has a bachelor’s degree in International Business and a Master’s in Business Administration. Erik joined the AMS network in February of 2019.
Brandi Adams Bressler
Chief Operating Officer
Robert Biggs
Chief Information Officer
Robert Biggs is the Chief Information Officer for AMS. His career started in the Department of Entomology at the University of Arizona where he studied the effects of genetically modified crops insect pest populations. After gaining an interest in Information Technology while building IT tools to manage data collection and presentation at the U of A, Mr. Biggs transitioned to a career in technology. Throughout his career he has managed many IT implementation projects that touch on a wide varieties of technologies including networking, server systems, communications, line-of-business applications (EHR, CRM), and cloud solutions. He has built and managed teams of IT professionals, emphasizing skill-building and career progression. He has provided CIO services to many for-profit and non-profit organizations in various verticals including Medical, Public Safety, Education, Retail and Government. Mr. Biggs joined AMS in September 2017.
Brittany Perkins
Chief Financial Officer
Brittany Perkins has a wealth of experience in Financial Leadership, Financial Planning and Analysis, Financial Compliance, and Operational Excellence. Over the past 17 years, Brittany has held several senior leadership roles in finance and operations across various educational institutions and organizations. From 2015 to 2021, she served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Trinity Charter Schools, where she significantly improved financial stability and operational efficiency, achieving a Superior Rating for six consecutive years. In her subsequent role as Vice President of Accounting and Financial Compliance at IDEA Public Schools from 2021 to 2023, she led a major business transformation initiative, enhancing compliance and financial governance. Since July 2023, she has been the Chief Growth and Financial Officer at Trinity Charter Schools, driving strategic growth and ensuring fiscal health. In July 2024, she was a finalist in the Austin Business Journal’s 2024 Best CFO Awards contest. She is passionate about equity in education for all students and looks forward to continuing to build sustainability for all Academies of Math and Science Schools.
Sho Shiratori
Director of Accounting
Sho currently serves as the Director of Accounting, where he oversees the accounting functions for the network. He works with the executive team and other stakeholders to brainstorm and implement process improvements to enhance departmental and organizational performance. Sho manages the payroll, procurement, and accounts payable teams to ensure that the department is operating efficiently. He also establishes internal controls and monitors financial statement accuracy in compliance with GAAP accounting principles. Sho is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Finance and is currently a CPA. Sho joined the AMS network in 2012.
Kristina Winters
Superintendent
Kristina Winters graduated from ASU with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and will receive her Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University in 2023. She taught Middle School for 12 years, is Highly Qualified in ELA and Social Studies. She has dedicated her entire professional career to working within Title I communities in Arizona.
Since joining AMS in 2016, Ms. Winters has held several roles within the organization from Instructional Coach to Founding Principal, as well as Regional Director of Schools. Ms. Winters believes that all children are capable of success and is looking forward to building relationships with campus leaders as she embarks on this new chapter in her career.
Josh Duerr
Regional Director of Operations
Josh has a dynamic blend of operations and education experience. For the past 6 years, he served as the Executive Director of a multi-site church in North Phoenix where he oversaw the operations, finances, and facilities of each of the church’s campuses. Josh also led their strategic planning and data analysis for the expansion efforts for each of the new campuses across the Valley.
Prior to serving as the Executive Director, Josh worked in a charter school network in South Phoenix for 6 years, where he taught middle school math and science and served two years as the Dean of Students. Josh has a Master’s in Business Administration, a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education.
Dr. Charles Heaton
Regional Director of Schools
Dr. Heaton has over 24 years of experience in K-12 education, with a passion for teaching and learning and a proven track record of transformative leadership in urban Title I schools. Influenced by his upbringing with a single mother and a Filipino grandfather who valued education, hard work, and social justice, he became a first-generation college student, earning a degree in Elementary Education.
Dr. Heaton started his career teaching ELA, reading intervention, and special education in Title I schools in Texas. His commitment to improving low-performing schools led him to earn additional degrees in education administration and supervision. As Lead Principal in south central Los Angeles, he spearheaded a turnaround effort that significantly improved academic outcomes, increased student enrollment, retained faculty and staff, and engaged community partners.
Nicole Shamblin
Regional Director of Schools
Nicole is a seasoned and dedicated educator with decades of experience. With her entire career grounded in education, Nicole has positively impacted many students’ lives. Nicole graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University Monterey Bay. She also holds a Master of Educational Leadership degree from Arizona State University as well as a Master of Elementary Education degree with Reading Endorsement from Arizona State University. Nicole has varied teaching experience K-8, with a concentration in the primary grades. In addition to her teaching roles, Nicole has been an Instructional Coach, Dean of Students, Curriculum Specialist, School Principal and Director of Early Childhood. Nicole is passionate about providing all children the opportunity to succeed in an academic environment. Nicole joined the AMS network in July of 2024.
Matt Gunderson
Vice President of Growth and Quality Assurance
Matt Gunderson has 26 years of progressively responsible educational leadership experience, motivated by the belief that “all children deserve a high-quality education, which is the great equalizer and catalyst for a just and civil society.” Prior to joining AMS Impact Group, Matt worked in charter, public, and private school settings, serving students and families as a teacher, trainer, principal, director, Chief Academic Officer, CEO, project manager, and attorney. Matt led the growth of a high-performing charter school system in Florida managing all phases of new school development including charter approval, financing, site selection, and construction for 5 schools. He earned his BA and MA in English Literature from UMass Boston and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law.
Caylee Migliorini
Vice President of Marketing
Caylee Migliorini is a seasoned communications and marketing leader with over a decade of experience in strategic marketing, lead generation, and project management. She currently serves as Vice President of Marketing at the Academies of Math & Science, where she oversees marketing strategy, content creation, and project execution. Previously, Caylee was the Senior Managing Director of Marketing and Student Acquisition at BASIS.ed, where she drove demand for 27 schools nationwide. She has a proven track record in developing and managing successful digital marketing campaigns, optimizing lead generation, and building strong client and vendor relationships. Caylee holds a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. She is an active member of the American Marketing Association and Toastmasters International, committed to continuous professional growth and innovation.
Natalie Trainor
Director Exceptional
Student Services
Dr. Evan D. Faulkner-Hayes
Director of Student Services
Evan D. Faulkner-Hayes is proud to serve our Academies of Math & Science communities as Director of Student Services with the AMS Impact Group. Dr. Hayes is dedicated to the success of the AMS Network and providing students with the support they need to reach their greatest potential. Dr. Hayes has held administrative positions at several highly successful elementary and K-8 schools across the greater Phoenix area.
Dr. Hayes had the privilege of serving at three different AMS campuses before eventually joining the AIG team! His educational background includes a B.S. in Physics & Music, M.Ed. in Leadership & Advanced Teaching, Ph.D. in Education & Constructive Developmental Pedagogy, and is currently enrolled in an Ed.D. in Education Administration program with a focus on student services and program development.
Emily Willis
Director of
Human Resources
Emily Willis is the Director of Human Resources and is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the Human Resources Department for AIG and all AMS schools. As Director of HR, contributes to the development of and the accomplishment of organization-wide plans and objectives by working closely with school and network leadership. Emily believes Human Resources has the privledge of guiding employees through their work and making a positive impact on their daily lives.
Emily has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and an executive master’s degree in business administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition, she holds a graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Cornell University. Prior to joining AMS in 2019, Emily worked in Las Vegas overseeing multiple hospitality properties. In her various roles, she oversaw employee relations and culture development. Emily has experience in developing human resources training, shaping cultures, and ensuring highly interactive, synergistic relationships with business partners.
Janelle Smith
Director of Enrollment
Janelle Smith is the Director of Student Registration and Data and is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the Registrars at all AMS schools. Leadership includes ensuring all state reported data expectations are met and all records are complete and accurate. Janelle believes the Registrars have the privilege of being the first impression for AMS families and is passionate to ensure that every experience is exceptional. Prior to joining AMS in October 2021, Janelle spent over a decade supporting schools in registration and customer experience. |
Lisa Uphold
Director of Student Information Systems
Lisa currently serves as the Director of Student Information Systems. Lisa began her career working with systems in the healthcare field where she started as a medical coder. After earning certification in multiple EMR platforms, Lisa had the opportunity to learn another area of systems, Education. Lisa quickly embraced the challenge of acquiring an understanding of school operations while simultaneously taking on the administration of the information system. Lisa joined the AMS team in 2018 and oversees the SIS support for students, parents, and staff of the Academies’ network.