Connect Directly with Our
Corporate Office at Hilton Head Nannies
Connect directly with our corporate office at Hilton Head Nannies to receive the fastest response. Please send any appointment or inquiry emails to Staff@HiltonHeadNannies.com. This ensures that your messages are promptly received by the on-duty staff.
Meet Jennie
Founder & President of Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies
Jennie Krogulski is the Founder and President of Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies, bringing more than two decades of professional childcare experience and nearly 20 years of agency leadership to the companies she founded. Today, Jennie focuses on the vision, growth, standards, and long-term direction of both agencies, working alongside an experienced administrative team that manages the day-to-day needs of the companies, the nannies and the families they serve.
Jennie’s career in professional childcare began years before she founded Hilton Head Nannies. As a professional nanny, she traveled throughout the country working with families and children with a wide range of needs before eventually making Hilton Head Island her home. She first came to the Island while nannying for a family in Sea Pines—a relationship that has endured long after the children grew up.
Known affectionately as “Jen-Jen” by many of the local children she cared for, Jennie eventually stepped away from full-time nannying following a significant health challenge. Her passion for children and commitment to exceptional childcare, however, never left. In 2007, she founded Hilton Head Nannies with the belief that families deserved more than simply someone to watch their children—they deserved caregivers they could trust and an agency that genuinely cared about the people it served.
Since then, Hilton Head Nannies has grown from a locally founded agency into one of the Lowcountry’s most established childcare resources, serving tens of thousands of families and building relationships with families and caregivers that have spanned generations.
At the heart of Jennie’s philosophy is a simple belief: Hilton Head Nannies is about people. The children. The parents. The nannies and sitters. And the team behind the scenes who makes it all possible. That philosophy continues to shape the culture and standards of both Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies.
Jennie’s experience with children and families extends far beyond professional nannying. Over the years, she has served in roles including dorm parent, elementary school teacher, missionary in the rural mountains of Kentucky, parent coach, freelance writer, children’s church teacher, youth pastor, and Sunday school teacher. She has also worked as a specially trained supervisor for families involved in the family court system and has volunteered with organizations serving children, senior citizens, individuals experiencing homelessness, expectant mothers in need, and families facing difficult circumstances.
Within the professional nanny industry, Jennie has served on the Board of the Professional Nanny Association of Atlanta and has participated in numerous professional organizations, including the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA), International Nanny Association (INA), National Association of Nannies, and Christian Nannies. Her expertise in the vacation nanny industry has also been sought by national media.
Expanding the Mission: America’s Best Nannies
In 2025, Jennie expanded the vision behind Hilton Head Nannies with the launch of America’s Best Nannies (ABN), its national division. America’s Best Nannies provides permanent nanny placement services to families throughout the United States and vacation nanny referrals in select destinations.
Through ABN, Jennie and her team bring the relationship-centered approach and high standards developed through nearly two decades at Hilton Head Nannies to families beyond the Lowcountry. The agency assists families seeking full-time and part-time professional nannies, newborn care specialists, and caregivers for positions requiring specialized experience.
A Legacy of Care & Giving
For Jennie, the success of Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies has never been measured solely by the number of families served. Both companies exist, in part, to give.
A significant portion of agency profits supports local, national, and international organizations serving children and families. Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies also sponsor children around the world, helping provide access to food, clothing, clean water, education, medical care, and community development.
Today, the agencies sponsor 20 children and growing in communities across Kenya, Ethiopia, Burundi, Cambodia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Uganda, Bolivia, and Tanzania.
Nearly two decades after founding Hilton Head Nannies, Jennie remains committed to the principles on which the agency was built: exceptional care, uncompromising standards, meaningful relationships, and the belief that a successful business should make a difference far beyond itself.
In her free time, Jennie enjoys spending time with her close-knit group of friends, whether traveling together, camping, or simply enjoying life in the Lowcountry. She loves hunting for vintage and antique treasures, crocheting, reading, and finding new creative projects to take on. At home, she enjoys the company of her much-loved dogs and bird, who are very much part of the family. Her Christian faith is an important part of her life, and she especially values time spent with her church community at Praise Assembly. Whether setting off on an adventure with friends, working on her latest project, or enjoying a quiet day at home surrounded by her animals, Jennie treasures the relationships, experiences, and simple joys that make life meaningful.
Meet Lucinda
Lucinda Hudgins
Director of Operations
Lucinda Hudgins serves as the Director of Operations for Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies, working closely with Jennie to ensure that every aspect of both agencies runs with excellence, precision, and heart. With deep experience, steady leadership, and an unwavering dedication to quality and care, Lucinda is a vital force behind the scenes — helping guide daily operations, supporting the nanny team, and fostering the client relationships that define our reputation.
Lucinda and her husband resided in the Outer Banks of North Carolina for 24 years. During that time, they owned and operated the longest-running specialty natural food store and café in the area, employing and mentoring hundreds of students and international exchange workers. Lucinda’s passion for mentoring young people left a lasting legacy — many of those she guided have grown into successful professionals and parents themselves, still keeping in touch to share milestones and memories.
In addition to her extensive background in business and mentorship, Lucinda is a Certified Instructor and National Trainer for the International Network for Children and Families. In that role, she led parent education programs for over a decade, supporting thousands of parents, educators, and healthcare professionals nationwide.
Lucinda brings a rare combination of wisdom, kindness, operational expertise, and a keen eye for talent. She is also a proud mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother of seven. When she’s not hard at work supporting our clients and caregivers, she loves being near the water, exploring new places, and learning all she can.
Her thoughtful leadership and deep care for people help make Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies not just successful agencies, but trusted, heart-centered communities.
Meet Grace
Grace Aguirre
Administrative Assistant
Grace Aguirre is an Administrative Assistant at Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies, bringing warmth, efficiency, and exceptional client care to the team. As a key point of contact for families and nannies, Grace ensures that every interaction is handled with professionalism and a personal touch. Her commitment to excellent service and passion for working with children make her an invaluable asset to the agency.
Before relocating to Hilton Head Island from Colorado, Grace successfully ran her own business as a hairstylist, honing her skills in client relations, attention to detail, and customer satisfaction. Her deep love for children led her to roles in preschools and child ministry, where she found joy in working with young minds and supporting their development.
Three years ago, Grace made the Lowcountry her home, where she continues to work as a hairstylist for weddings while also dedicating her time to Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies. Her ability to connect with families, assist with reservations, and ensure a smooth experience for both clients and nannies makes her an integral part of the team.
Outside of work, Grace and her husband embrace the beauty of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, enjoying the stunning coastal scenery and the welcoming community she now calls home. Her love for the area, combined with her kind-hearted nature and dedication to exceptional service, makes her a perfect fit for Hilton Head Nannies and America's Best Nannies.
Meet Maribel
Maribel Shields
Administrative Assistant
Maribel Shields serves as an Administrative Assistant with Hilton Head Nannies and America's Best Nannies — bringing warmth, organization, and a genuine heart for helping others to our team. With a diverse background in education, healthcare, customer service, and office administration, Maribel has developed a wonderful ability to connect with people, manage the many details happening behind the scenes, and help families feel welcomed and supported.
Throughout her career, Maribel has worked in roles where communication, compassion, confidentiality, and attention to detail are essential. Her experience working with families and children is especially meaningful to her. As a certified paraprofessional, she has spent considerable time supporting children and understands the importance of patience, dependability, and creating an environment where children and families feel comfortable and cared for.
Known for her friendly nature and willingness to help, Maribel brings a calm, thoughtful approach to her work. Whether she is assisting with administrative details, communicating with families, or supporting our team behind the scenes, she approaches each responsibility with care and professionalism.
Outside of work, Maribel enjoys spending time with her husband and children, traveling together as a family, and cheering on her children at their sporting events. She also loves spending time with and helping care for her friends’ children—a natural extension of the genuine love she has for children and families.
Maribel’s caring spirit, reliability, and people-centered approach reflect the values that are at the heart of Hilton Head Nannies. She is committed to supporting our families and team with professionalism, kindness, and thoughtful attention to detail.
Meet Lisa
Lisa Brown
Recruitment Specialist
Lisa Brown serves as a Recruiter with Hilton Head Nannies and America's Best Nannies — bringing humor, warmth, wisdom, and a remarkable intuition about people to our team. Her natural ability to connect with others and understand what makes them tick makes her especially well suited to helping us identify caregivers who will truly shine with the families we serve.
Lisa joined the Hilton Head Nannies team after relocating to Bluffton from Richmond, Virginia, in September 2022 with her husband, Geoff, and their two Bichons, Dante and Luna. She brings with her extensive experience working with children, families, and young professionals, along with a genuine enthusiasm for helping children grow in confidence and discover what they are capable of accomplishing.
Before moving to the Lowcountry, Lisa served as Novice Coach and Lessons Director for SwimNOVA, the learn-to-swim program at NOVA of Virginia Aquatics, a nationally ranked nonprofit swim organization. The program served more than 1,500 children each year, and Lisa was responsible for hiring, training, and supervising a staff of approximately 40 swim instructors. Despite her leadership responsibilities, teaching remained her first love. She continued to teach children herself, working with swimmers from the preschool level through pre-team, as well as children with special needs.
An important part of Lisa’s role was creating a bridge between the lessons program and NOVA’s competitive swim team. As lead coach of the team’s introductory novice program, she helped young swimmers make that transition while developing their skills, confidence, and love of the sport.
Throughout her years in aquatics, Lisa especially loved encouraging children to do their best, take pride in their accomplishments, and have fun along the way. After moving to South Carolina, nannying with Hilton Head Nannies gave her the opportunity to bring that same enthusiasm, patience, and dedication to children and families throughout the Lowcountry.
Lisa now also serves as a Recruiter for Hilton Head Nannies, conducting second interviews with prospective members of our caregiving team. Her years of experience hiring, training, and supervising professionals who work with children, combined with her own firsthand experience as an HHN nanny, give Lisa a unique perspective when getting to know our candidates. She understands both what it takes to provide exceptional care and the qualities Hilton Head Nannies looks for in those who represent our agency and serve our families.
Outside of work, Lisa enjoys having more time to spend with Geoff and pursuing her many creative interests. She loves refinishing and refurbishing furniture and other finds, creating stained-glass pieces and mosaics, and exploring thrift stores and auctions in search of treasures deserving of a second life.
Lisa and Geoff have five adult children and are members of The Church of the Cross in Bluffton. She has truly embraced life in the Lowcountry and brings to Hilton Head Nannies the same warmth, creativity, encouragement, and commitment to children that have defined her career.
Meet Michelle
Michelle Merkel
Community Engagement Liaison
Michelle Merkel serves as the Community Engagement Liaison for Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies, bringing her warmth, kindness, and passion for building meaningful connections. In this role, Michelle fosters relationships with the local community, ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience for everyone who partners with our agency. Her genuine heart for people and ability to make others feel valued make her an essential part of our team.
Originally from central Pennsylvania, Michelle has always prioritized family and community. She loved being a stay-at-home mom when her children were young, cherishing the time spent nurturing and guiding them. Now an empty-nester, she and her husband, Jon, have been happily married for nearly five years and relocated to Bluffton in 2021 when Jon was hired at Lowcountry Community Church. They have two grown children—Mark (26), who lives in Montana with his wife, Monica, and Melanie (22), who is completing her senior year studying radiology at Morehead State University in Kentucky. Michelle is also a proud grandmother to Merle (2 ½) and Mattie (1), finding immense joy in her growing family.
Michelle joined Hilton Head Nannies in May 2024, drawn to the agency by her love for engaging with families and children. She finds fulfillment in connecting with families, listening to children, and actively participating in their world through play and conversation.
Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband, biking, organizing, gardening, cooking, and baking. She has a passion for traveling, both across the U.S. and abroad, and volunteering in her church nursery. She also loves being in nature and living near the water, embracing the beauty and serenity of the Lowcountry.
Michelle’s warmth, professionalism, and dedication to meaningful relationships make her a perfect fit for Hilton Head Nannies and America’s Best Nannies.