NICOLE LUNGER
Co-Founder & Executive Director of Preschool Development and Licensing
Nicole has dedicated more than two decades to early childhood education, helping develop exceptional preschool programs that serve children, families, and communities. Her experience spans every level of preschool operations from classroom teacher to administrator to Preschool Director giving her a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to successfully launch, grow, and operate high-quality early education programs.
Throughout her career, Nicole has successfully opened, overseen, and grown church-based and private preschools, guiding each through licensing, staffing, enrollment, daily operations, inspections, and long-term program development. She also served for almost a decade as Director of The Mattisyn School, where she helped lead one of Palm Beach County’s premier private preschools, further strengthening her expertise in building operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Nicole’s experience includes licensing compliance, accreditation support, staff recruitment and training, curriculum implementation, enrollment growth, operational systems, parent relations, inspections, and team leadership. She has mentored and trained educators, developed strong leadership teams, and created cultures focused on excellence, accountability, and exceptional care for children.
Matthew Francese
Co-Founder & Executive Director of Business Development and Investor Relations
Matthew serves as Executive Director of Business Development & Investor Relations for MPDG, bringing experience in business management, real estate investment, acquisitions, and investor relations.
Matthew holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration and received professional training through one of the nation’s leading residential real estate franchise organizations. His expertise includes evaluating acquisition opportunities, investment strategy, investor relations, and working with strategic partners to structure and execute real estate transactions.
As the founder of his own real estate investment company, Matthew has gained comprehensive, hands-on experience across the full real estate investment process, working on both sides of transactions from opportunity sourcing, underwriting and acquisition through financing, renovation, investor relations, project execution, disposition, and strategic exit planning.
Matthew also brings significant business leadership experience, having managed the day-to-day operations of successful franchise businesses, including building and supervising teams, personnel management, client relationships, and operational systems.
Above all, Matthew’s Christian faith is the foundation of his personal and professional life. He is actively involved in ministry and believes business can be used not only to create financial opportunity, but also to serve people, strengthen communities, and advance a greater purpose for the Kingdom.
Paula Francese
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Paula Francese is the Founder and CEO of Mattisyn Preschool Development Group (MPDG), bringing more than three decades of entrepreneurial leadership across law, business ownership, commercial real estate, franchising and preschool development.
An entrepreneur from a young age, Paula has founded, developed, operated, and successfully exited multiple businesses. Following a successful litigation career, she designed, developed, built, owned, and operated a premier preschool in Palm Beach County, overseeing the entire process from site selection, licensing, and construction through staffing, operations, finance, marketing, and growth. After a decade of successful operation, she sold the business and real estate.
Paula's experience in commercial and residential real estate, renovations, rental properties, and multifamily investing combined with her legal, business, and firsthand preschool experience gives her a unique understanding of both the investment and operational sides of preschool development. She holds a Juris Doctor in Law and a Master of Arts in Theology from a top Christian University, has held Florida Owner and Director credentials in Early Childhood Education, and is a Certified Strategic Intervention & Leadership Coach through the Tony Robbins-Madanes Institute.
Today, Paula leads MPDG with a vision to become the nation's premier preschool development company, partnering with churches, investors, entrepreneurs, business owners, and operators to develop exceptional preschool businesses designed for long-term value and lasting impact as a servant for the Kingdom.
