Business Leadership Team
The Business Leadership Team (BLT) exists to steward the mission of Arise Classical Academy by faithfully leading the Academy’s resources, Board, people, learning, growth and community in a manner that glorifies God, advances His kingdom and forms future generations to pursue Christ, wisdom, virtue and academic excellence. The BLT serves as a collaborative leadership body focused on executing key strategic initiatives, providing expertise, and helping steward the growth of the school.
Business Leadership Team
Ari Rebich
As Admissions Chair, Ari will help lead Arise Classical Academy’s admissions and enrollment efforts through family interviews, recruitment, mission communication, and relationship-building with prospective families. She will also support improvements to the admissions process, help advance enrollment goals, and develop an ambassador team to strengthen the Academy’s connection with current and future families.
Ari Rebich brings nearly two decades of experience in K–8 education across public, private, and online school settings. A graduate of Messiah College with master’s-level study in education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she has spent the past five years in classical education and currently teaches sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade mathematics at Watermark Classical Academy. Alongside her work in education, Ari and her husband lead The Mission Co., a nonprofit serving communities in Pittsburgh and Lima, Peru, reflecting her deep commitment to faith, family, service, and the formation of young people.
Dr. Brittany Kinol
Dr. Brittany Kinol is the Founder and President of the Board of Arise Classical Academy and the owner of Miracle Dental Associates, one of Western Pennsylvania’s largest providers of dental care for children with special needs and underserved communities. She studied biochemistry at the University of Pittsburgh before earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine there, and has continued her professional formation through multiple Harvard Business School certificates in leadership and emotional intelligence. Deeply committed to the liberal arts within a Christian worldview, Dr. Kinol brings her growing expertise in neuroscience, leadership, and emotional intelligence into the life of the school, particularly through Arise’s sciences and entrepreneurship programs.
Joel Matsco
As Fundraising Chair, Joel will lead Arise Classical Academy’s fundraising strategy, including the annual fund, capital campaigns, donor cultivation, and community partnerships. He will also develop a comprehensive fundraising plan, help launch the building campaign, and work to expand the Academy’s donor base.
Joel Matsco brings a distinguished background spanning science, military service, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership. He holds a B.S. in Biomedical Science and Chemistry from Grand Valley State University, earned an MBA, and served in the United States Navy, including training in aviation electronics. Over the course of his career, he has held leadership roles with organizations including PPG, Covestro, and Bayer and now serves as Founder and Principal of Impellus, where his expertise in commercialization, market strategy, product development, and business growth offers a valuable perspective on science, entrepreneurship, and innovation. His experience guiding both emerging ventures and multibillion-dollar product portfolios gives him a distinguished perspective on entrepreneurship, strategic leadership, and the disciplined transformation of ideas into lasting value.
Alan Cecala
As Finance Chair, Alan will provide oversight of Arise Classical Academy’s financial planning and reporting, including monthly financial reviews, budget development, forecasting, and strategic planning. He will also help establish financial dashboards, review the annual budget, develop a three-year financial outlook, and report regularly to the Board of Directors.
Mr. Cecala holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and brings extensive executive leadership experience across healthcare, industry, business development, operations, finance, project management, and organizational strategy. His career has included senior leadership roles with OhioHealth, West Penn Allegheny Health System, LLGC Incorporated, and Contraves Goerz Corporation, as well as national leadership within the Medical Group Management Association. Following his transition from corporate leadership, he now supports Watermark Classical Academy and Arise Classical Academy, applying his experience in service of Christian classical education, student formation, and the schools’ operational and strategic needs.
Kathy Orlando
As Classical Curriculum Chair, Kathy will be responsible for overseeing Arise Classical Academy’s classical curriculum and ensuring its alignment with the school’s Christian mission and academic standards. She will review curriculum, recommend improvements, support faculty discussions, and help strengthen the integration of a Christian worldview throughout instruction.
Kathy Orlando holds a bachelor’s degree from Grove City College and is entering her 14th year in classical education, with additional study in The Lost Tools of Writing I and II and Fundamentals of Classical Pedagogy. She believes education should lead students toward truth, goodness, and beauty while cultivating humility, wonder, and a deeper understanding of God’s character through every subject. Kathy especially values the opportunity at Arise to know her students well and to encourage their academic, personal, and spiritual growth.
Lisa Gyergyo
Lisa brings experience in higher education, classical homeschooling, and composition instruction across elementary through high school levels. After earning her education degree, she worked in the Education Department at Grove City College and later helped establish a classical homeschool community in Memphis, Tennessee, where she also taught on community instruction days. She has additionally helped develop composition courses for a tutorial program and has taught students from second through twelfth grade.