About Us | Build a Brain, Build a Life, Build a Community®

Mission Statement:

We are dedicated to parents and communities to inform, equip, and support early brain development – one child at a time.

We believe:

Parents and caregivers are the child’s first teachers.
Meaningful early experiences build brain architecture for future learning.
Parent talk is the most powerful resource.
Every child deserves the right to reach their full potential.

Quint Studer

Co-founder

Quint has been leading early brain development initiatives in the U.S. for many years. In 2016, he learned of Dr. Dana Suskind’s work in early brain development and asked her to come to Pensacola to share her vision and to help Pensacola become an Early Learning City. That was the beginning of an early brain development initiative that’s changing outcomes in Pensacola. Quint’s dream is to continue to develop this program, Build a Brain, and introduce it to the world.

A lifelong student of leadership, Quint has worked for multiple health systems throughout his career. In 2000, he founded Studer Group, a healthcare and education coaching company that received the 2010 Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. In 2016, he formed the Studer Community Institute to help improve the quality of life in his community. In 2022, Quint founded Healthcare Plus Solutions Group powered by industry experts who specialize in delivering Precision Leader Development™ solutions across the continuum of care to healthcare organizations and their teams. The tools and techniques Quint has created over the years are now staples in healthcare systems throughout the world.

Carlton Ulmer

Co-founder

In 2016, as the CEO of West Florida Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, Carlton joined Quint Studer to begin an early brain development trial in Pensacola with the University of Chicago. West Florida Hospital was one of three hospitals locally working with the Studer Community Institute in this endeavor.

Carlton’s love of people and passion to improve human life has led him on a journey as a healthcare leader for more than 26 years across five states. With a commitment to excellence, he is best known for creating a thriving culture for those around him. Now his path has led him to join with Quint Studer to help introduce Build a Brain across the nation.

For 20 years, Carlton served with HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers. Under Carlton’s leadership, several hospitals like West Florida Hospital were recognized as Healthcare 100 Top Hospitals, receiving Healthgrade Patient Safety Excellence awards, “A” ratings by Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade program, and Magnet Designations.

Stephanie Montgomery, Ed.D.

Partner

Stephanie’s career began in the classroom, where she developed a zeal for improving educational outcomes and a passion for literacy and learning. She’s now turned her interest toward early brain development and is leveraging her experience to inform, equip, and support parents and caregivers across the U.S.

Stephanie has more than 25 years of experience in education across multiple states. Through her work with organizations like Ferst Readers, Get Georgia Reading, and Georgia Family Connections, she has developed expertise in early literacy skills and readiness gaps. Stephanie has cultivated valuable partnerships between community groups and education agencies to promote early learning. Her diverse experience has given her a strong ability to facilitate systems-level changes in education and healthcare.