Leadership
Who leads the Academy.
Journey Christian Academy is led by Director Shannon Palmer, supported by our staff and an Advisory Board that brings experience in education, finance, and governance.
Shannon Palmer
Director
Shannon Palmer has been a member of Journey Christian Church for over 20 years, where she has faithfully served in a variety of roles, including small group leadership, discipleship ministry, children’s environments, and mentoring relationships.
She is an educator and homeschooling mother with over 20 years of experience launching and leading mission-driven programs. Early in her career, Shannon helped initiate and lead the Physicians for Peace Walking Free program in Guatemala, launching a pediatric amputee clinic that continues to serve children and families today.
She has also built organizations from the ground up, including a home health and hospice agency that grew from concept to over one million dollars in annual revenue and earned a 5-Star quality rating.
Shannon holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University and has spent much of her career developing teams, designing programs, and creating systems that support both excellence and long-term sustainability.
In recent years, she has been deeply engaged in homeschooling her own children and co-founding a Christian education resources business, where she supports families in creating Christ-centered learning environments that integrate academic growth with discipleship.
She is passionate about partnering with parents to raise the next generation to know, love, and follow Jesus in every area of life.
Staff
Kit Charbonneau
Dean of Discipleship
Kit Charbonneau guides the spiritual heart of Journey Christian Academy by organizing our lunchtime discipleship program and mentoring our team of volunteer Disciple Makers. Through his leadership, our small groups empower students to move beyond an inherited faith into personal spiritual ownership—equipping them to stand firm on a solid biblical foundation, engage culture with Christ-like discernment, and courageously walk out their faith as leaders in a fallen world.
Advisory Board
Leaders who advise the Director on curriculum, finances, and governance.
Anne Pennino Ayers
Advisory Board Member
With over 40 years of literacy and reading instruction experience, Anne Ayers spent 28 years with Chesterfield County Public Schools as a Reading Specialist and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at VCU. Holding an M.Ed. as a Reading Specialist K–12, she brings extensive expertise in curriculum development, private tutoring, and Christ-centered education to Journey Christian Academy. On the Advisory Board, Anne actively guides curriculum strategy while assisting in the training and mentoring of the Academy’s instructional team.
Byron D. Berry, CPA
Advisory Board Member
Byron brings over 35 years of executive financial and operational leadership to the Journey Christian Academy Advisory Board. Currently Assurance Managing Partner at Stewart & Company, Byron spent over two decades as a partner at leading professional service firms, including Ernst & Young LLP and BDO USA LLC, where he served as Richmond’s Office Managing Partner. With an extensive background spanning corporate CFO leadership, growth strategy, and financial reporting, Byron helps guide the Academy’s financial integrity, sound governance, and strategic growth. He earned his B.S. in Accounting (magna cum laude) from the University of South Carolina and resides in Richmond with his family.
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