Our Team

Christine Mitchell is a District Director for LLE Education Group.

Erin Kruppenbacker is a District Director for LLE Education Group.

My name is Jeaninne Kroll, and I am honored to step into the role of District Director with LLE Education Group. I bring over 20 years of multi-site leadership experience across early childhood education and retail operations, most recently overseeing licensed childcare centers and before- and after-school programs across Virginia. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about building high-performing teams, strengthening program quality, and creating cultures where every teacher feels valued, supported, and able to make a meaningful impact on children and families. My leadership is shaped deeply by my personal journey. I was born and raised in Bucharest, Romania, and at 22 years old, I came to the United States with a suitcase and the determination to build a better life. That leap of faith taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of leaving a positive mark wherever I go, values that continue to guide me in my work today. I have been married to my husband, Jeff, for 28 years, and together we have two wonderful daughters, Julia and Jaden, along with our two Boston Terriers, Jamie and Daisy-Jay. (A fun fact: all our names start with “J”, even the dogs!) When I’m not working, I love playing piano, ice skating, reading, and spending time with my family. I also have a deep love for Christmas, so much so that I typically set up at least seven Christmas trees in my home, a tradition rooted in my childhood, when the holiday brought so much joy to an otherwise difficult era. Professionally, I am most fulfilled when I am developing leaders, supporting strong center cultures, ensuring safe and high-quality environments, and helping teams achieve their goals. I love winning, but even more, I love watching teams win together. I’m thrilled to bring that same passion and energy to LLE Education Group, and I look forward to learning from all of you, supporting your work, and contributing to the success of our programs and communities. I’m truly grateful to be here and excited for the journey ahead. Jeaninne Kroll

My name is Shareese Ladd, and I would like to introduce myself as the District Director for The Merit Schools of Arlington and Clarendon. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University and a Master’s degree from Capella University in Early Childhood Education. I have completed several developmental studies on adolescents from birth to age five. I am originally from Brooklyn, New York and I relocated to Northern Virginia with my family as an adolescent. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling with my husband. Our goal is to travel to all 50 states. I have been in the childcare field for more than 18 years. My goal in the educational leadership of The Merit Schools is to maintain an open, strong and trusting work environment, with management and staff that are dedicated to upholding the honor and privilege of making an impact on the lives of small developing children. Working with people and children is something that I thoroughly enjoy doing, and I couldn’t imagine a career doing anything else. Thank you for the opportunity to serve your family. Respectfully, Shareese Ladd