Vision and Collaboration Took Center Stage at Lightbridge Academy’s Annual Conference

“The Lightbridge Academy Annual Conference is an event I look forward to and cherish every year,” said Gigi Schweikert, Chief Executive Officer at Lightbridge Academy. “It’s an incredible opportunity to share insights, celebrate achievements, and align on our vision for even greater growth in the year ahead. The energy, passion, and innovation sparked at this event drive our collective success and deepen our commitment to the families we serve.”

The 2025 Lightbridge Academy Annual Conference launched with an inspiring State of the Company Address from CEO Gigi Schweikert, followed by a compelling keynote from Don Yaeger—renowned executive coach, longtime Sports Illustrated associate editor, 12-time New York Times best-selling author, and host of the Corporate Competitor Podcast. Throughout the conference, franchise owners participated in dynamic breakout sessions covering essential topics such as human resources, community engagement, enrollment strategies, IT innovations, and operational excellence, equipping them with valuable tools to drive success. Franchisees also took part in a powerful workshop led by keynote speaker, Rashmi Airan, a serial entrepreneur and globally recognized transformation expert.

The three-day event concluded with attendees participating in activities for the Lightbridge Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, in partnership with Spread the Joy, where over 1,000 Joy Boxes were packed for donation.

To celebrate the impressive accomplishments of franchisees, Lightbridge Academy delivered prestigious awards during the brand’s themed Neon Nights Dinner.

2025 Lightbridge Academy Top Award Winners Include:

• The Franchisee of the Year was awarded to Brian and Rebecca Grovenstein, franchisees of Lightbridge Academy of Apex and Holly Springs, NC. This is given to the Lightbridge Academy franchise owners best exemplifying the Core Values and Circle of Care philosophy.

• The CEO Award, which recognizes the top performing center, was awarded to Lightbridge Academy of Allentown, PA. Lightbridge Academy Customer Loyalty Award was presented to Lightbridge Academy of Apex, NC for creating a world-class customer experience for families.

• The Lightbridge Foundation Award was presented to Lightbridge Academy of Virginia Beach, VA in recognition of their centers achieving the highest fundraising contribution to the Lightbridge Foundation.

• To round out the list of prestigious award winners was Ms. Glendaly Franklin, Center Director in North Brunswick (Renaissance Blvd), NJ, who was awarded Director of the Year and Ms. Jenn Delfino in Iselin, NJ, who won Teacher of the Year.

From work-life balance to the award-winning support, this innovative early childhood education franchise is guided by purpose and a family-first culture. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Lightbridge Academy is a proven child care brand.