Executive Team

Felicia Thornton

Chief Executive Officer, Knowledge Universe-US
Felicia Thornton has served as the CEO of Knowledge Universe - US, the parent company of KLC, since November 2006. Prior to joining KU, Thornton led all financial and business strategy as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Albertsons, Inc., one of the nation's largest food and drug retailers. Thornton had oversight for investing up to $1.9 billion of capital annually and was a key figure in marketing, negotiating and selling Albertsons to a consortium in 2006. She was a member of the CEO's Executive Counsel, had responsibility for the Six Sigma program and was a Board member of Bristol Farms, an independent subsidiary of Albertsons. Previously, Thornton was Group Vice President, Retail Operations for The Kroger Co. and a member of The Kroger Co. Executive Council. She was responsible for driving process improvements in Kroger's $50 billion operations' portfolio of 20 retail divisions, distribution network and 43 manufacturing plants. She also served as Group Vice President, Finance and Administration, for Ralphs Grocery Company. Thornton earned her bachelor's degree in Economics at Santa Clara University, and received an MBA from the University of Southern California.

Wendy Collie

President, Consumer
Wendy Collie joined Knowledge Universe as President, Consumer in January 2010. In this position, she leads the KinderCare Learning Centers and Champions businesses, furthering the company's ability to provide an exceptional customer experience. In this role, Wendy is responsible for the development and performance of the KinderCare Learning Centers and Champions operations teams. Prior to joining KU, Wendy held a variety of leadership positions during her 18-year tenure with Starbucks Coffee Company, most recently as Senior Vice President and General Manager, US Licensed Stores, one of the highest revenue generating business units within Starbucks. Wendy's division oversaw the operations of more than 3,800 licensed retail stores, delivering the "Starbucks' Experience" to millions of customers each week. She is accomplished in developing and leading teams, creating and executing strategy, and establishing an environment where business and professional goals are consistently exceeded. She consistently increased year-over-year revenue and profitability through new programs, promotions, and continuous improvement processes making decisions that best serve the business, customers and partners (employees) while elevating the brand experience. Wendy earned a Bachelor's Degree from University of California, Santa Barbara.

Ty Durekas

CEO, CCLC
Ty, one of the original founders of CCLC, has served as CEO since the organization's inception in 1992. He is responsible for leading the company's strategic growth strategy, bringing our client partners innovative solutions that align with their unique business requirements and meet the needs of the employees in their workforce. Ty also leads The Grove School and Cambridge Schools lines of business. He serves on the Executive Council for Knowledge Learning Corporation which sets strategic direction for all related business lines. While he was developing the CCLC organization, Ty spent ten years in various technology companies primarily with Applied Materials and Sony Corporation developing innovative product development initiatives, managing domestic and international marketing organizations. Ty is a graduate of San Jose State University.

Dr. Caprice Young

CEO, KC Distance Learning
Caprice Young is the President and CEO of KC Distance Learning and was formerly Vice President of Business Development and Alliances of Knowledge Universe. Prior to joining KU in September 2008, Caprice was President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association. Under Caprice's 5-year leadership, the number of California charter schools grew by more than 300 and student enrollment grew by more than 100,000. From 1999-2003, Caprice served as a member and President of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. Her career has included leadership roles in business, higher education and government. She also serves on numerous boards, including the Governor's Advisory Committee on Education Excellence, the Chime Institute and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. She is a recipient of the Coro Foundation Crystal Eagle Award for Achievement in Public Service. Caprice earned her bachelor's degree from Yale University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and her Doctorate of Education from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Bob Dunst

EVP and CIO Knowledge Learning Corporation
President, KU Technologies
Bob Dunst joined the company in January 2009 and brings more than 30 years of IT development and management experience with an extensive background in retail and high technology. Prior to joining KU, Bob was a board member, advisor and consultant to various technology and retail companies including Netezza, Altierre, and Smart & Final. Previously, he served as Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President Technology and Supply Chain, at Albertsons, a $44B food and drug retailer. There, he implemented leading industry applications including reengineering the industry's largest online shopping and home delivery service; developed targeted web, direct mail and in-store marketing programs using real-time customer management and analysis tools; and created web-based distance learning, training and communication programs for the company's more than 200,000 associates in more than 2500 retail stores. Prior to Albertsons, Bob held several positions including Vice President Advanced Technology & Internet Business Group, Vice President Applications Development at Safeway, Inc. a $43B food and drug retailer.

Anne Saunders

Chief Marketing Officer, Knowledge Universe-US
Anne Saunders joined the company in March 2009. In this position, Anne drives the brand and marketing strategy across the enterprise. Most recently, Anne was the Senior Vice President, Brand and Consumer Bank Marketing Executive for Bank of America (BAC). In this position she was responsible for leading a team of 600 to develop marketing strategy and execution for the overall company brand and the consumer bank. She created the enterprise marketing function at BAC, which increased the strategic focus on consumer insight and development of brand positioning. Prior to Bank of America, Anne was SVP, Global Marketing and Communications for Starbucks Coffee Co. In this capacity she oversaw all aspects of the domestic and international branding, as well as marketing and communications strategy and execution. Prior to Starbucks, Anne held several positions including President and Founder of eSociety, an online business-to-business ecommerce company, and Vice President and Corporate Officer and Vice President-Consumer Marketing for McCaw Wireless Communications (now AT&T).

Elizabeth Large

Vice President and Interim General Counsel
Elizabeth Large joined Knowledge Learning Corporation as Assistant General Counsel for Litigation in 2005 and was promoted to Deputy General Counsel in 2008. She was named Interim General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in October 2009. Before joining KLC, Elizabeth had her own law practice, litigating complex civil cases in Oregon, Washington, and California for business, government, and individuals. Elizabeth also litigated constitutional challenges as an Assistant Attorney General for the Special Litigation Unit at the State of Oregon. She has served in private practice as a member of the trial practice group at Stoel Rives LLP, a leading Northwest law firm. Elizabeth has a strong interest in serving our local community, with a special focus on literacy. She is currently a volunteer reader and a member of the board of directors for SMART "Start Making A Reader Today." Elizabeth received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Willamette University and her bachelor's degree in economics and history from the University of Washington.

Adrian Downes

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Adrian Downes joined Knowledge Learning Corporation as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in April 2010. Adrian has more than 25 years of financial and executive management experience with an extensive background in Big 4 Accounting as well as the retail, apparel, and telecommunications industries. As CFO, he oversees all accounting and finance functions including internal and external financial reporting, financial planning, tax, internal audit, risk management, capital allocation, and management reporting.

Prior to KLC, Adrian was Group Vice President and Controller of SuperValu, Inc, a $40+ billion U.S. retailer and wholesaler. Prior to SuperValu, he was Group Vice President and Controller of Albertson's, Inc. a Fortune 50 grocery and drug store retailer. In addition, he has held a variety of accounting and finance roles at Gap, Inc.; Pacific Telesis Group, Inc.; and PricewaterhouseCoopers. In these positions, he focused on leading through successful collaboration to create an exceptional customer experience, build great teams, and improve performance.

Adrian earned a bachelor's degree in Commerce at Galway University in Ireland, a postgraduate diploma in Professional Accounting at Dublin University in Ireland, and is a Chartered Accountant in Europe as well as being a CPA.