Meet our Founders

FOUNDER AND CEO

The Pineapple School grew from Krisana’s passion for children, language, culture, and entrepreneurship. She experienced the power of immersion firsthand while earning her MBA at INCAE Business School in Costa Rica, where she became fluent in Spanish. After returning to San Antonio and working in the corporate sector, Krisana recognized an unmet need for high-quality early childhood education rooted in language and cultural immersion. In 2010, she turned that vision into reality by opening the first Pineapple School campus with her family and business partners. As CEO, Krisana has helped guide The Pineapple School from one campus into a growing organization known for its distinctive culture, strong operations, and sustained demand. Her leadership spans organizational strategy, human resources, management, marketing, and franchise development. She works closely with franchise owners to help them build strong teams, establish their local presence, and successfully bring the Pineapple model to life in their communities.

FOUNDER AND CFO

Originally from Peru, Juan brings extensive experience in finance, operations, real estate, and business development to The Pineapple School. He earned his MBA at INCAE Business School in Costa Rica and spent ten years working in finance and operations for a San Antonio-based corporation. His expertise has been instrumental in supporting The Pineapple School’s profitability, operating efficiency, and continued growth. As CFO, Juan oversees financial strategy and helps ensure that the organization’s expansion is grounded in disciplined planning and sound business practices. In 2019, he also co-founded a commercial real estate and construction company serving the San Antonio and Austin markets. He works closely with franchise owners as they navigate financial planning, site development, construction, and the operational realities of opening a new school. Having learned English from scratch as an adult, Juan understands the challenges of acquiring a new language later in life and deeply values the confidence and connection that early language exposure can provide.

FOUNDER, COO and DIRECTOR OF TRAINING

Jessie joined The Pineapple School in 2014 and played a key role in the opening and development of its second and third campuses. She earned a degree in International Business with a minor in Spanish from The University of Texas at Austin, then studied landscape architecture and practiced professionally before joining the school. Inspired by art, design, and the language and culture of Latin America, Jessie brings a thoughtful and creative perspective to the Pineapple experience. As COO and Director of Training, she helps shape the classroom and outdoor environments, curriculum, special events, and staff development systems that make The Pineapple School distinctive. Jessie leads ongoing training initiatives and works closely with franchise owners on environment development, curriculum implementation, team training, and the creation of memorable experiences for children and families. Her work helps ensure that every Pineapple School reflects the brand’s standards while still feeling warm, engaging, and connected to its local community.