Mark Mele

Mark Mele brings more than three decades of experience in franchise development and educational leadership to his role as Chief Development Officer at Ivybrook Academy. His career has been defined by a passion for helping children, families, and franchise owners grow together through meaningful, community-based education.

Mark’s journey in the education sector began with Kumon North America, Huntington Learning Centers, and Athena Learning Centers, where he played an integral role in expanding access to quality learning programs across the country. Working side-by-side with franchise owners, he helped these systems strengthen their operations, improve performance, and deliver exceptional experiences for students and families. Those early years solidified his belief that the success of any education brand begins with the people who run it — the franchise owners and teams who bring the mission to life every day.

Later, at Lightbridge Academy, Mark helped guide the brand’s franchise expansion, focusing on the company’s unique Circle of Care philosophy — a model that places equal emphasis on the needs of children, parents, teachers, and franchise owners. His work helped Lightbridge grow while staying true to its core purpose: supporting families through nurturing, values-driven education.

Now at Ivybrook Academy, Mark will lead the brand’s next phase of thoughtful growth — supporting franchise owners and teams across the country as they bring Ivybrook’s half-day hybrid model to more communities. He is deeply committed to helping franchise owners succeed — not only through strong unit economics and best-in-class systems, but by reinforcing a culture of collaboration, care, and purpose.

A Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and long-time member of the International Franchise Association, Mark continues to mentor emerging leaders and advocate for the power of education-focused franchising to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.