Our Team

Executive Director of Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

As the Executive Director and SpEd Director of Williamsburg Academy of Colorado, Heidi is committed to helping your student thrive during their educational journey.  Heidi graduated with a B.A. in History from Brigham Young University and recently earned her Master's in Education Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania. As her capstone project, she founded a non-profit organization called Strides 4 Education International that funds education impact projects around the world. She also has experience in business, law, and homeschooling. Heidi loves spending time with her family, running, yoga, and watching episodes of Psych. 

Heidi is passionate about the Mission and Values of Williamsburg Academy of Colorado, and she looks forward to serving you and your student.

Email: executivedirector@wacolorado.org

Director of Operations

Heidi has worked with the Williamsburg Learning team for many years, serving in a variety of roles, including Curriculum Developer, Teaching Assistant, Strategic Assistant, Curriculum Manager, IT Specialist, and now Director of Operations at Williamsburg Academy of Colorado. Her extensive work experience and outstanding work ethic (plus her love for spreadsheets) allow her to be an excellent resource for the Williamsburg Academy of Colorado community. In her free time, Heidi enjoys riding her bike, playing WOW, spending time with her kids, and traveling.

Email: heidi@williamsburglearning.com

Becky Matz, Adventures Program Director

Becky is passionate about working with youth. In her words, “I hope I can help spark learning and discovery in youth and also help them recognize their strengths, gifts, and who they are so they can lead in their lives.” She has worked with students in numerous settings, including camps, after-school programs, co-ops, and 4H.

Becky holds a degree in Recreation Management from Brigham Young University. She loves spending time outdoors, cooking, gardening, and traveling.

Email: bmatz@williamsburglearning.com

Nels Peter Jensen, CEO & Co-Founder

Nels Jensen is CEO and Co-Founder of Williamsburg Learning. He is passionate about helping others learn, grow, and transform themselves, their families, and communities. Nels is working toward the goal of creating millions of transformational learning experiences in the next ten years.

A native of the Rocky Mountains, Nels grew up in Idaho and Utah and has lived and traveled abroad on five continents. He studied the liberal arts as an undergraduate and received an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the Acton School of Business in Austin, Texas. As a father to five energetic children, Nels loves to coach and support them as they grow into young adults and prepare to lead unique lives of meaning. In his personal life, he is an avid reader, weight lifter, cyclist, and yoga instructor. His deepest purpose is to use his talents to help reduce suffering and elevate consciousness.

Adam Hailstone, Chief Operating Officer

Adam is passionate about building a vibrant and expanding community to support your student in their adventure through online learning. In his words, “I love inspiring parents and students to get a great education and overcome the barriers in their way. My role directly aligns with my life’s mission, so it’s as much a calling as it is a career.” Adam joined Williamsburg in 2010 as a mentor, and has designed and taught much of The Williamsburg Curriculum. He has presented talks on alternative education throughout the U.S. and Canada and loves finding creative ways to expand and enhance the Williamsburg tribe.

Adam holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from George Wythe University. He lives with his wife, Laura, of thirteen years and their son Emmett in Denver, Colorado. Adam loves wrestling with his son, hiking, reading, discussing, CrossFit, cinema, and making delicious food for family and friends.

Gary Arnell, Chief Technology Officer

Gary’s passion lies in creating reliable and efficient administrative services to simplify and improve your and your student’s Williamsburg experience. Before joining Williamsburg in 2010, Gary worked in software development, project management, and administrative positions for businesses and schools in California and Utah. Today, he oversees Information Technology systems and processes at Williamsburg. Gary is passionate about moral and political philosophy, the liberal arts, and the outdoors. He loves designing systems that support all three in his role at Williamsburg.

Gary completed his undergraduate studies in business and computer science at Utah State University and an M.A. in education from George Wythe University. He lives with his wife, Liesl, and their six children in Cedar City, Utah. Away from work, he enjoys volunteering in his community and spending time with his family—especially if it involves canyoneering, hiking, backpacking, travel, or reading.

Riley Trembath, Chief Marketing Officer

As Williamsburg’s Chief Marketing Officer, Riley leads our digital marketing, enrollment, communications, and customer service teams. He is a graduate of Williamsburg Academy Private School and a passionate advocate for learning experiences that inspire students to explore the road less traveled. Prior to joining Williamsburg full-time in 2018, he worked for five years at Apple Retail, where he held a variety of leadership roles, and has completed marketing and leadership training programs from Seth Godin and Tony Robbins.

Outside of work, Riley loves exploring the world with his partner, Sela, and their dog, Morty. He also loves spending time with family, doing anything outside, and exploring new ideas, tools, and technologies that help to unlock human potential.

Kim Stanley, Chief Financial Officer

For over 20 years, Kim Stanley has helped high-growth education and technology companies reach their potential. She began her journey in accounting and finance, passing the CPA exam before discovering her passion for building and leading organizations. From expanding Le Cordon Bleu into a global culinary education powerhouse to launching the first online, Title IV-eligible culinary program at Escoffier, Kim has combined operational expertise with visionary thinking to help institutions thrive.

After co-founding a mindfulness app inspired by her personal journey with fertility treatments, Kim returned to her roots in finance—this time as a CFO and strategic advisor to companies in critical phases of growth. Today, she brings the best of both worlds: sharp financial acumen and entrepreneurial resilience, helping teams align vision with execution.

When she’s not advising mission-driven ventures, Kim is hiking her favorite trails or spending time with her spirited 4-year-old daughter, Kora. She believes that leadership—like parenting—is about showing up with clarity, courage, and heart.

Rob Noorda, Chief Academics Officer

Bio coming soon.

Renee Smith, Chief Growth Officer & Williamsburg Academy Private School Headmaster

As a parent, you care deeply about your student’s education—and you want it to be more than just academics. You want it to spark growth, curiosity, and purpose. Renee gets that, because she’s lived it on both sides: as an education leader and as a homeschooling mom.

Renee has spent her career helping students thrive in the environments that fit them best. She’s worked in public, private, charter, and homeschool settings—always with a heart for families and a passion for personalized learning. Whether she’s founding a bilingual microschool, cocreating education software, or advising early-stage ventures, Renee brings a blend of vision and practicality that helps learners flourish.

She holds a master’s degree in education and has collaborated with educators, families, and innovators across the country to design programs that put students first. But of all her roles, homeschooling her daughters has taught her the most—about what students truly need to grow and thrive.

Now, as Headmaster at Williamsburg, Renee is thrilled to walk alongside your family and support your student’s journey—one full of connection, purpose, and possibility.