Our Leadership

Melody Castillo, MBA, is a finance executive with over 15 years of experience in financial management, budgeting, payroll administration, audits, compliance, accounting, and operational oversight. As Director of Finance, she leads fiscal operations with a focus on strategic planning, internal controls, financial stewardship, and organizational accountability. She also holds a Charter Business Officer (CBO) Certificate, further strengthening her expertise in educational finance, compliance, and operational leadership.

Throughout her career, Melody has built extensive expertise in executive financial leadership, including multi-year budget development, long-range financial forecasting, payroll administration, audit coordination, grants management, compliance oversight, and year-end financial reporting. She has successfully strengthened internal controls, optimized financial systems, and implemented operational strategies that improve organizational performance, fiscal accountability, and financial stability.

Her experience includes providing financial oversight across multiple operational areas, supporting executive leadership in strategic decision-making, and coordinating organization-wide budgeting, payroll, compliance, and audit functions within fast-paced and highly regulated environments.

With a strong focus on fiscal stewardship, operational efficiency, and risk management, her work centers on strengthening financial infrastructure and supporting long-term organizational growth and stability.

Timeshia Mackey, MBA, is the Director of Operations at Grow Public Schools, where she leads operational strategy across multiple TK–8 campuses, overseeing facilities, compliance, nutrition services, enrollment, and health and wellness initiatives in support of more than 1,600 students. She focuses on building strong, scalable systems that support school operations and ensure a high-quality experience for students, families, and staff.

Timeshia brings extensive experience across both education and healthcare, with a focus on operational leadership, compliance, and organizational performance. Prior to joining Grow Public Schools, she held senior leadership roles in healthcare, including Director of Quality, Risk Management, and Compliance, where she led regulatory strategy, risk mitigation, and system-wide improvement initiatives.

Known for her systems thinking and ability to bring structure and clarity to complex organizations, Timeshia partners closely with leadership teams to align operations with strategic priorities and support sustainable growth. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Bakersfield, where she graduated Cum Laude.

Eric Mendez serves as Director of Talent at Grow Public Schools, where he leads the organization's talent and HR systems for all staff. In this role, he oversees a broad portfolio spanning HR strategy, leadership development, compensation design, and organizational communications - all in service of building the people infrastructure that enables Grow's mission.

Eric's roots at Grow run deep. He joined the organization in 2012 as an HR Clerk and has grown steadily through roles as a Benefits Specialist and HR Manager before stepping into his current leadership position. That organizational history gives him a rare combination of institutional knowledge and systems-level perspective that informs how he approaches talent work.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Sports and Recreation Management and a Master's degree in Human Resources Management, and is a certified SHRM-CP professional. Eric brings both the technical grounding and the human sensibility to build teams and cultures where staff can do their best work.

Lacie Harris is an experienced educator and charter school leader with nearly two decades of service in public education. She currently serves as Principal of Grow Academy Shafter, where she has strengthened instructional systems, improved student outcomes in both reading and math, and cultivated a school culture grounded in strong relationships and high expectations. 

Prior to her principalship, Mrs. Harris served as an Assistant Principal, Academic Coach, reading intervention specialist, and classroom teacher, supporting educators across multiple campuses and leading districtwide professional learning in literacy, assessment, and instructional best practices.
 

As a mother of two Grow graduates, brings a deep personal connection to her work and a strong commitment to ensuring every student experiences belonging and opportunity. Outside of school, she enjoys gardening, traveling, baking, and exploring new culinary experiences with her family.

Pedro Navejas Rodriguez serves as Assistant Principal of Academics at Grow Academy Shafter, where he is committed to advancing student achievement in Shafter, with a focus on empowering students and families in rural communities.

Prior to his current role, Pedro served as Senior Coordinator of the Teacher Residency Program at Grow Public Schools, where he coached aspiring educators and mentor teachers, graduating three cohorts of residents. He also contributed to the development of the network’s assessment systems and teacher collaborative practices.

Pedro began his career as a middle school English Language Arts teacher and later served as an instructional coach, building a strong foundation in teaching and learning through literacy classrooms that centered student voice and a love of reading and writing.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Teaching from the University of Washington, and a Master’s in School Leadership and Administration from California State University, Dominguez Hills

Shyanne Ledford serves as Principal of Grow Academy Arvin, where she is deeply committed to creating a welcoming, supportive school community for students and families. Grow Academy Arvin focuses on strong relationships, personalized learning, and high expectations, while emphasizing college and career readiness, health and wellness, and student growth.

A Kern County native, Mrs. Ledford is from Bakersfield and a graduate of South High School and CSU Bakersfield. Her family’s deep roots in Lamont and Arvin make her work at Grow especially meaningful, and she brings a strong sense of care and responsibility to serving local families.

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Mrs. Ledford has supported students and educators across TK–college settings. She believes deeply in student success and works in partnership with families and staff to help every Grow scholar feel known, supported, and empowered to thrive.