Staff & Faculty

Angela Wilhight, MAEd, joined Hope Academy as Head of Student Recruitment & Admissions in 2023. Angela is a recipient of the Christa McAuliffe’s Excellence in Education Award, served as a former Adult Education instructor and trainer, and most recently worked to build diversity awareness as a recruiter for the third largest school district in Minnesota, where she was dedicated to finding diverse talent. Her enthusiasm drives her work to engage with families and community partners seeking a God-centered education. As a child of an Air Force Officer, Angela has lived all over the country but now finds "hope" in the Twin Cities.

Dr. Darrell Gillespie MA, MDIV, LGSW is a pillar in the Minneapolis community, also pastoring a local church. Prior to becoming Hope Academy's Head of Family Ministry in 2021, he served as school counselor, teacher, high school basketball coach, and Lower School Dean. Darrell earned his Master of Arts in Psychological Counseling from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota; has received his Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul; and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry in Black Church Leadership from United Theological Seminary.

Gwen Smith joined the Leadership Team of Hope Academy in January 2024 as the Head of Finance & Operations. She has been a part of the Hope Academy family for more than 25 years as a prayer partner, parent of four Hope Academy students, and as a Partner. Prior to Hope, Gwen worked for 24 years in corporate finance, specializing in project management, financial planning, finance systems, and process improvement. In her current role, Gwen is responsible for Finance, HR, IT, and all school Administration and Operations, overseeing a remarkable team.

Jim Stigman serves as Hope Academy’s Head of Institutional Advancement. He leads a twelve-member development and communication team to cultivate and secure $8.8 million in annual operating support, as well as additional capital expansion funds and endowment-related funds—with the goal of ensuring that low-income families have access to a remarkable, faith-based education. Prior to joining Hope Academy in 2014, Jim spent more than 17 years working in areas of business and nonprofit development and executive leadership. He loves inviting people to get in on the joy of what God is doing at Hope Academy!

John Villas joined Hope Academy in December 2017 after spending more than 30 years in executive financial leadership, serving as CFO for Entegris Inc. from 1997-2007, and as CFO for StrategicSource Inc. (SSI) from 2009-2018. John is recognized for his success in managing growth—both organically and through mergers and acquisitions—and has extensive experience in capital markets (IPO), strategic planning, operational financial management, and regulatory issues. In his current role, John is responsible for overseeing all of Hope Academy’s finances, HR, and operations.

Kelvin Simms went into education after finishing his undergrad degree in History and English and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both at Pensacola Christian College. After teaching for four years at a Christian school in Maryland, God led him to move to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2017 to teach at Hope Academy. Kelvin started as a 6^th grade teacher, transitioned to the Middle School Instructional Director, and now serves as Middle School Principal. He and his wife live Northside, where they love serving teens at their church and taking nature walks during Minnesota’s four snowless months.

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Nathan Ziegler, Ed.S, has served as Upper School principal for the past 15 years. Prior to this position, he taught middle school math and science at Hope Academy, and also taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools. He earned his Educational Specialist degree at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and his master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota. Nathan lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two children. His favorite hobby is making videos of creative cold weather science experiments for his Minnesota Cold channel on YouTube—which has gained millions of views and more than 600,000 subscribers.

Russ Gregg has served as Head of School since Hope Academy’s founding in 2000. He holds a B.A. in Global Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves on the Board of Directors of the Society for Classical Learning. Through the Spreading Hope Network, he helps kick-start other Hope Academy-style schools across the country. He and his wife, Phyllis, have been residents of the Phillips neighborhood since 1994 and currently live just four blocks from Hope Academy. Learn more about the start of Hope Academy!

Kelvin Simms went into education after finishing his undergrad degree in History and English and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, both at Pensacola Christian College. After teaching for four years at a Christian school in Maryland, God led him to move to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2017 to teach at Hope Academy. Kelvin started as a 6^th grade teacher, transitioned to the Middle School Instructional Director, and now serves as Middle School Principal. He and his wife live Northside, where they love serving teens at their church and taking nature walks during Minnesota’s four snowless months.

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Nathan Ziegler, Ed.S, has served as Upper School principal for the past 15 years. Prior to this position, he taught middle school math and science at Hope Academy, and also taught in the Minneapolis Public Schools. He earned his Educational Specialist degree at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and his master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota. Nathan lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two children. His favorite hobby is making videos of creative cold weather science experiments for his Minnesota Cold channel on YouTube—which has gained millions of views and more than 600,000 subscribers.

Angela Wilhight, MAEd, joined Hope Academy as Head of Student Recruitment & Admissions in 2023. Angela is a recipient of the Christa McAuliffe’s Excellence in Education Award, served as a former Adult Education instructor and trainer, and most recently worked to build diversity awareness as a recruiter for the third largest school district in Minnesota, where she was dedicated to finding diverse talent. Her enthusiasm drives her work to engage with families and community partners seeking a God-centered education. As a child of an Air Force Officer, Angela has lived all over the country but now finds "hope" in the Twin Cities.

Dr. Darrell Gillespie MA, MDIV, LGSW is a pillar in the Minneapolis community, also pastoring a local church. Prior to becoming Hope Academy's Head of Family Ministry in 2021, he served as school counselor, teacher, high school basketball coach, and Lower School Dean. Darrell earned his Master of Arts in Psychological Counseling from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota; has received his Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul; and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry in Black Church Leadership from United Theological Seminary.

Gwen Smith joined the Leadership Team of Hope Academy in January 2024 as the Head of Finance & Operations. She has been a part of the Hope Academy family for more than 25 years as a prayer partner, parent of four Hope Academy students, and as a Partner. Prior to Hope, Gwen worked for 24 years in corporate finance, specializing in project management, financial planning, finance systems, and process improvement. In her current role, Gwen is responsible for Finance, HR, IT, and all school Administration and Operations, overseeing a remarkable team.

Jim Stigman serves as Hope Academy’s Head of Institutional Advancement. He leads a twelve-member development and communication team to cultivate and secure $8.8 million in annual operating support, as well as additional capital expansion funds and endowment-related funds—with the goal of ensuring that low-income families have access to a remarkable, faith-based education. Prior to joining Hope Academy in 2014, Jim spent more than 17 years working in areas of business and nonprofit development and executive leadership. He loves inviting people to get in on the joy of what God is doing at Hope Academy!

John Villas joined Hope Academy in December 2017 after spending more than 30 years in executive financial leadership, serving as CFO for Entegris Inc. from 1997-2007, and as CFO for StrategicSource Inc. (SSI) from 2009-2018. John is recognized for his success in managing growth—both organically and through mergers and acquisitions—and has extensive experience in capital markets (IPO), strategic planning, operational financial management, and regulatory issues. In his current role, John is responsible for overseeing all of Hope Academy’s finances, HR, and operations.