Nearly Three Decades of Purpose and Progress
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
Articles by NHA Communications Team
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Nearly Three Decades of Purpose and Progress
Published: Feb 05, 2026
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From Parent to Purpose: Theresa Sewell’s 25-Year Journey at NHA
Published: Jan 29, 2026
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Chad Fridsma Celebrating 24 Years of Purpose and People
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30 Years of Growing With NHA: Allison Wheeler’s Journey
Published: Jan 15, 2026
This Employee Spotlight series celebrates NHA’s 30th anniversary during the 2025-26 academic year and honors those whose dedication, leadership, and Moral Focus™ values have shaped our schools.
Looking back over her 29 years, Dani Phillips doesn’t just remember milestones, she remembers moments.
“I can remember the growing pains we felt at certain stages of NHA,” Dani said. “In the beginning, everyone was trying to figure things out.”
Hired as the eighth employee at what is now the National Heritage Academies® (NHA) Service Center, Dani has watched the organization grow from one school to a national network of schools.
“We were figuring it out as we went.”
Building From the Ground Up
In the early days, job descriptions were flexible.
“We did everything,” Dani said. “Facilities, insurance, food service, board work, whatever needed to be done.”
With a small team supporting a growing number of schools, collaboration was essential.
“We would sit together once a week and figure out who needed what,” she said. “Then you’d shift. You’d move. You’d help wherever you were needed.”
That mindset, Dani said, created a sense of ownership and accountability that still defines NHA today.
“It was exciting,” she said. “We were building something together, and everyone felt responsible for making it work.”
As NHA expanded, growth didn’t always come easily.
“We had to prove ourselves,” Dani said. “And we knew we had to do it the right way.”
Looking back now, she sees those challenges as pivotal.
“They shaped who we became, and when you see where we are now: the schools, the recognition, the students who’ve grown up and come back as teachers, that’s when it really hits you.”
Over the years, Dani has seen thousands of families navigate one of the most important decisions for their child’s education.
“It’s about choice. Parents making an intentional decision for their kids.”
She believes NHA has helped families recognize the responsibility and empowerment that comes with that choice.
“There’s a freedom in realizing you have options. And that partnership between families and schools really matters.”
Supporting Leaders Who Serve Students
Today, Dani serves as Senior Safety and Health Specialist, a role that reflects decades of institutional knowledge and a deep commitment to schools.
“My greatest honor is serving our school leadership teams. They carry so much responsibility.”
She describes leaders as people who “wake up in the middle of the night worrying about other people’s children,” and she sees her role as supporting them however possible.
“If I can take something off their plate, I will. That’s what they need, the ability to stay focused on students.”
Her work spans risk management, emergency planning, training, grants, and policy development.
“I write all the emergency plans for the schools. Review the legislation and get those in front of the board. I request safety grants, and to try to get them the equipment the schools need so their staff feels that NHA's watching out for them.”
Dani is proud that NHA embraced this work early.
“We were ahead of the curve,” she said. “And it’s always been about safety with compassion.”
Looking Ahead
Dani sees an organization that has grown while staying focused on what matters most.
“I love the emphasis on character development. There’s strength in being intentional about who you are and a freedom in having a strong, centered, moral character.”
She’s also encouraged by NHA’s thoughtful approach to growth, emerging high school opportunities, and continued focus on supporting schools.
“I'm fortunate that I have the opportunity to go and visit our schools. Sit with the kids, talk to the kids, sit with the teachers, hear their concerns, and hear their joys. Everything we do should help schools do their work well.”
Fun Fact
Outside of work, Dani enjoys traveling and has visited 22 countries! She says those experiences have shaped how she sees the world.
“Travel gives you perspective. You understand people differently when you see how they live.”
And provides opportunities to meet famous people, like actor Anthony Hopkins.
“He invited me to a play, and I didn't realize it was him, and he was just so stunned that I couldn't figure out who he was.”
While Dani turned the invite down it still gives her a chuckle when she thinks about it. Who knows who she might bump into on her next travel adventure!
Congratulations on 29 years at NHA, Dani!
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.
Looking back over her 29 years, Dani Phillips doesn’t just remember milestones, she remembers moments.
“I can remember the growing pains we felt at certain stages of NHA,” Dani said. “In the beginning, everyone was trying to figure things out.”
Hired as the eighth employee at what is now the National Heritage Academies® (NHA) Service Center, Dani has watched the organization grow from one school to a national network of schools.
“We were figuring it out as we went.”
Building From the Ground Up
In the early days, job descriptions were flexible.
“We did everything,” Dani said. “Facilities, insurance, food service, board work, whatever needed to be done.”
With a small team supporting a growing number of schools, collaboration was essential.
“We would sit together once a week and figure out who needed what,” she said. “Then you’d shift. You’d move. You’d help wherever you were needed.”
That mindset, Dani said, created a sense of ownership and accountability that still defines NHA today.
“It was exciting,” she said. “We were building something together, and everyone felt responsible for making it work.”
As NHA expanded, growth didn’t always come easily.
“We had to prove ourselves,” Dani said. “And we knew we had to do it the right way.”
Looking back now, she sees those challenges as pivotal.
“They shaped who we became, and when you see where we are now: the schools, the recognition, the students who’ve grown up and come back as teachers, that’s when it really hits you.”
Over the years, Dani has seen thousands of families navigate one of the most important decisions for their child’s education.
“It’s about choice. Parents making an intentional decision for their kids.”
She believes NHA has helped families recognize the responsibility and empowerment that comes with that choice.
“There’s a freedom in realizing you have options. And that partnership between families and schools really matters.”
Supporting Leaders Who Serve Students
Today, Dani serves as Senior Safety and Health Specialist, a role that reflects decades of institutional knowledge and a deep commitment to schools.
“My greatest honor is serving our school leadership teams. They carry so much responsibility.”
She describes leaders as people who “wake up in the middle of the night worrying about other people’s children,” and she sees her role as supporting them however possible.
“If I can take something off their plate, I will. That’s what they need, the ability to stay focused on students.”
Her work spans risk management, emergency planning, training, grants, and policy development.
“I write all the emergency plans for the schools. Review the legislation and get those in front of the board. I request safety grants, and to try to get them the equipment the schools need so their staff feels that NHA's watching out for them.”
Dani is proud that NHA embraced this work early.
“We were ahead of the curve,” she said. “And it’s always been about safety with compassion.”
Looking Ahead
Dani sees an organization that has grown while staying focused on what matters most.
“I love the emphasis on character development. There’s strength in being intentional about who you are and a freedom in having a strong, centered, moral character.”
She’s also encouraged by NHA’s thoughtful approach to growth, emerging high school opportunities, and continued focus on supporting schools.
“I'm fortunate that I have the opportunity to go and visit our schools. Sit with the kids, talk to the kids, sit with the teachers, hear their concerns, and hear their joys. Everything we do should help schools do their work well.”
Fun Fact
Outside of work, Dani enjoys traveling and has visited 22 countries! She says those experiences have shaped how she sees the world.
“Travel gives you perspective. You understand people differently when you see how they live.”
And provides opportunities to meet famous people, like actor Anthony Hopkins.
“He invited me to a play, and I didn't realize it was him, and he was just so stunned that I couldn't figure out who he was.”
While Dani turned the invite down it still gives her a chuckle when she thinks about it. Who knows who she might bump into on her next travel adventure!
Congratulations on 29 years at NHA, Dani!
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.