The Learning Trail is Led by a Group of Volunteers

The Learning Trail is governed by a Board of Directors. We have many volunteers who serve as tutors. We have two part-time employees— our Preschool teacher and her classroom aide. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kathleen Browning, President

Kathleen holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern) and a BA from Wellesley College.  After retiring from a career with Exxon International in New York/New Jersey, she served on the School Board in Mountain Lakes, NJ for six years. She also coordinated a faith-based tutoring program for elementary students from Newark, NJ.  After resettling in Virginia, Kathleen joined the Board and served as Development Director for the Nomadic Kenyan Children’s Education Fund (later merged with the Kenya Education Fund) which provides high school scholarships for needy boys and girls in Kenya where high school is not free. Currently, she is a Kindergarten tutor at The Learning Trail.

Peter Pront, Treasurer

Peter is a tax lawyer and is currently counsel to Seward and Kissel LLP, a law firm based in New York City.  As a partner in the firm, he served in various leadership positions, including as head of the tax practice group, the executive committee and as the firm’s Finance and Administrative Partner.  He received a Masters in Taxation degree from New York University Law School, his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island.  Peter’s previous non-profit experience included The Yorkville Common Pantry of New York, where he served on the Board of Directors and the Finance Committee as well as Treasurer and co-chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee.

Jeanenne Nelson (JJ), Secretary

and Vice President

JJ is a retired cardiovascular- and cancer-specialty epidemiologist.  She earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Masters degree in Biostatistics, and PhD in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Using advanced study designs and analytic techniques, she provided population-based evidence on disease and treatment effectiveness to help inform decision-making for National Institutes of Health and pharmaceutical drug development.  JJ began tutoring at The Learning Trail three months after she retired and begins her fourth year as a tutor and new Board member.  

Cathie Heck

Cathie is an experienced educator, having taught in elementary, middle and high school, as well as at the college level. Her primary focus has been in English and English as a Second Language (ESL). She holds an undergraduate degree in English and Spanish and masters degrees in Education in Curriculum and Instruction and English Writing. She has volunteered extensively but most recently at North Chatham Elementary School, Chatham Literacy and The Learning Trail.

Bruce Tomason 

Bruce has had an extensive career in investing in and operating emerging health care companies. He is currently Executive Chairman of Velocity Clinical Research and in the past, has held the position of CEO of Medikidz, Copernicus Group IRB, Alterna and One Call Medical. In addition, Bruce has served on the board of directors of numerous healthcare related companies. Bruce received an MBA from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Seton Hall University.  Previously, Mr. Tomason served on the Board of Directors of the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey. He served over 15 years on the Board of Regents of Seton Hall where he held numerous leadership positions including Vice Chairman.

Beth Navon

Beth Navon has been an administrator in the New York City non-profit sector for over 30 years.  She helped create a nationally recognized service model for youth re-entering the community after incarceration. She was also Executive Director of the Lineage Project, offering yoga and meditation training to incarcerated young people.  She holds a BA in psychology and a Masters degree in social work.  After retirement and relocating to Durham, NC, she pursued her interest in modern dance and helped create a dance company of women between the ages of 35 and 78.  In 2021, she joined The Learning Trail as a tutor, consistent with her passion for working with children, particularly those who have limited access to resources. Beth joined the Board of Directors in 2023.

Janet Shaw

Janet brings a wide range of experience in both education and business. Early in her career she was an English instructor with an emphasis in writing and composition.  Later, she moved on to Accounting and Benefit Plan Administration. She then returned to teaching and tutoring for SAT/ACT preparation. She has worked with a variety of students--from low-resource middle school students to international graduate students.  In 2014, Janet joined The Learning Trail, she is currently a 3rd grade tutor and also serves as Co-Chair of the Program Committee.

Colleen Mullins

Collen is a retired Managing Director of the Bank of America, based in multiple US cities and overseas in London. She has an MBA from DePaul University, Chicago, IL and a Batchelor’s degree from the University of Illinoi, Champaign/ Urbana, IL. She spent five years living in the middle east immediately after her retirement. Colleen has been a tutor at the Learning Trail for 9 years, almost since its inception, and thus brings a great deal of experience to her Board Position. She also tutors within the Governors Club’s employee- recipient ESL program, working with an employee from Syria and has been a fundraiser for Christo Rey, a high school in Durham. Colleen joined the Board in January of 2024

Ann White

Ann was a career educator with a focus on early adolescence at the middle school level in both North Carolina and Washington State. She has been a middle school teacher, a principal and a district level administrator. Ann earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wake Forest University and her Master of Arts Degree from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Ann was awarded a Regional Distinguished Principal’s Award for Washington State and was selected to be principal liaison for her school district with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Ann was an active volunteer with Girls Scouts and she is a Life Member of the Chapel Hill Service League. Since moving to Chapel Hill, Ann’s major volunteer focus has been with The Learning Trail as a lead tutor, Board member and Program Chair.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

ALEXA MOORE

Before joining The Learning Trail, Alexa was most recently employed as a substitute teacher at Pollard Middle School in Chatham County. Prior to that, she held many volunteer positions within the school community and several non-profit organizations, while raising her family. Previously, she had various jobs in business, as a Communications Coordinator, Office Manager, and Account Coordinator. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Elon University. Alexa is excited to use her organization and communication skills combined with her passion for education to serve as Program Coordinator for The Learning Trail. 

PRESCHOOL TEACHER

Nicole Jara

Nicole Jara joined The Learning Trail in September 2022 and brings experience in working with children in faith-based settings and at a Montessori school. She is a native of Chile and has a strong connection with the Nature Trail community. She brings an enthusiasm and love of learning to her position that fosters a welcoming, safe and happy setting for young children to learn and grow.

Preschool teacher’s Aide

Kenia Duque Delucio

Kenia is a resident of the Nature Trail and attended The Learning Trail when she was a youngster up until 8th grade. She was enrolled in the AVID program at the Northwood High School and was awarded the Carol Tomason Legacy Scholarship in 2019. After graduation, she attended the Aveda Institute School of Cosmetology. She was then recruited to join the Learning Trail Preschool as an aide in 2022 and assists in every aspect of the preschool program. She relates especially well to the parent community of Nature Trail. Kenia serves the organization as a Communications Assistant. In this role, she takes photographs and works on the website, as well as the Facebook page and other forms of communication.