Our Team

Data Systems Specialist

Desmond Acquah

Mr. Acquah received his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology specializing in both networking and cyber security from the University of Ghana and currently holds five technical certifications.

Senior Director, Leadership and Capacity Sharing

Brooke Albert

Brooke Albert joins ECIC as the Senior Director, Leadership and Capacity Sharing, bringing over fifteen years of experience in social service program and system development. With a focus on restorative leadership and a deep commitment to honoring human dignity, she is passionate about creating inclusive, equitable systems. Brooke’s journey began with her involvement in the local Great Start Family Coalition, where she witnessed firsthand the powerful impact of family and parent leadership. In this role, she saw how courageous family leaders across the state united to advocate for meaningful change at the local, state, and national levels.

Brooke’s core values—bravery, connection, healing, and justice—drive her passion for sharing power with family and parent leaders to take a central role in system change. She believes in their power to influence decision-making and is dedicated to ensuring their voices are heard at every table. Throughout her career, Brooke has embodied a human-centered, results-focused approach to leadership, fostering collaborative spaces that center the perspectives of those most affected by decisions. Drawing on her years of experience as a restorative practitioner, she has partnered with local, state, and national organizations to promote positive change in early childhood systems.

Brooke holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Services and is a certified Trauma-Informed Coach. She is also endorsed by the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (IMH-E®) and a certified trainer of Restorative Practices (IIRP).

Assessor

Bushra Al-hemyari

Bushra holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College. With a strong foundation in child development and educational principles, most of Bushra’s professional experience has been in daycare settings, where she has played a key role in creating nurturing, engaging environments that promote learning and development during early childhood.

Outside of professional responsibilities, Bushra has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys discovering new places, whether through travel or local exploration. In quieter moments, Bushra can often be found immersed in a good book.

TA Consultant

Effie Alofoje-Carr

Program Grants Manager

Andrea Ayotte

Andrea Ayotte joined the ECIC team in September 2023 as the Program Manager – Innovation Grants.

For most of her life, Andrea has had the privilege to be in roles and spaces that serve children. Prior to joining ECIC, Andrea was the Assistant Program Director of a non-profit, private preschool in Ann Arbor, Michigan. While wearing many hats throughout her career, Andrea has been responsible for grants administration, proposal development, program management, and strategic planning, all with the goal of elevating children and early childhood providers.

Andrea has a Master of Science in Early Childhood: Inclusive Education from Portland State University, with a focus on children with special rights and constructivist early childhood education. She also has a Master of Educational Leadership: Organizational and Global Leadership from Western Michigan University where she focused on the administration of youth-serving organizations. Andrea brings to ECIC a deep-seated belief in anti-bias education, a passion for uplifting early childhood providers, and a love for all things early-childhood.

As a parent of two young children, Andrea understands deeply how important it is to elevate issues affecting young children and their families. An avid gardener and potter, Andrea also values getting her hands dirty and using that to connect with others.

Innovation Associate

Sebastian Betzer

Sebastian Betzer joined the ECIC team in May 2024 as Innovation Associate. This role follows his previous work as Innovation Project Manager at Child Care Network. In this role, Sebastian worked directly with child care providers helping them to access Statewide grant opportunities such as the Stabilization grants, Facility Improvement Funds, Startup and Expansion Grants and more.  

Supporting child care business owners with grants opened the door to working on innovations designed to empower and strengthen child care businesses. Sebastian worked on establishing an early childhood apprenticeship program, creating provider-led home provider networks, and convening regional business leaders, child care business owners and families to build shared understanding of local child care needs.   

Sebastian has a Master of Arts in Program Evaluation from Michigan State University and is particularly energized by building capacity for program beneficiaries to shape the evaluations of the programs they participate in. His prior experience as a grant writer informs his work providing technical assistance to grantees and highlighting their impact. 

Senior Director, Child Care Innovation Fund

Joan Blough

Joan Blough joins ECIC to serve as Senior Director for the Child Care Innovation Fund. Most recently, Joan was the Community Systems Director for the Early Learning Division within the State of Oregon, where she helped lead implementation of the country’s largest investment in early care and education—a $400 million investment that included a strong focus on equity and child care innovation.  Her portfolio included: the professional learning system for Oregon’s early care and education workforce; the Child Care Resource and Referral system, inclusive of 13 regional entities and 211-Find Child Care; the quality recognition and improvement system for early care and education programs and providers, known as Spark; and the statewide network of sixteen Early Learning Hubs. Prior to her role in Oregon, Joan was the Principal at Change by Design and she also previously served as the Senior Vice-President for Early Childhood at ECIC. Joan holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.S.W. from Western Michigan University.

Assessor

Lisa Bremer

Lisa Bremer became a Great Start to Quality Assessor in January 2017. Her current work is focused on conducting on-site observations based on the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tools for the Great Start to Quality rating system.

Ms. Bremer has worked in the education field on and off for the past 22 years.

Ms. Bremer received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education specializing in Early Childhood Endorsement from Western Michigan University, graduating with honors. Ms. Bremer is a certified reliable HighScope assessor.

Infant Toddler Network Manager

Sara Brown

Originally from Maine and spending 10 years in Colorado, Sara began her career as a toddler teacher before advancing into roles such as director and early childhood coach. Most recently, she worked as an Early Head Start Specialist working to build capacity in infant toddler programming in the greater Denver area.

Sara holds a M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maine, along with a Certificate in Early Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

TA Consultant

Kaylynn Cairns

Kaylynn Cairns has worked in education for her entire career including Early Childhood, K-12, and post-secondary. Her work has focused on program management, social media, and collaborating with organizations and educating others on community needs. Kaylynn has had several positions working with tribal communities and underserved populations within the EUP and across the State of Michigan. Kaylynn’s work in native country has strengthened the values of the Grandfather Teachings to live a “good life” and to uphold the 7 grandfather teachings: love, respect, bravery, truth, honesty, wisdom, and humility.

Kaylynn is a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with Safe Kids Worldwide. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids majoring in Community Leadership/Public Administration, Political Science, and Business and continued her education at Penn State post-baccalaureate Community and Economic Development programs focused on rural development and social change.

Kaylynn grew up in Pickford, MI and was active in athletics, FCCLA (Family, Career, Community Leaders of America-former FHA), and 4-H. While showing livestock she met her husband, Jayson, and now their kids show livestock. They have been married 12 years, have 3 children, and run a small hobby farm.

Senior Program Coordinator

Sable Carter

Sable Carter brings a strong passion for the safety and well-being of the children in the community and has 12 years of experience in the early childhood education field. During her time working in childcare, she has had the privilege of working with children ranging from infants all the way up to school age and has taught in both private and public preschool settings as well as government funded programs such as Early Head Start, Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Program. She spent the last 3 years as a Program Director running the day-to-day operations of a privately owned child care and learning facility.

Sable has also worked with the Lansing School District as a Student Support Coordinator, collaborating with community partners and bringing in resources for the children at a local elementary school.

Sable graduated from Michigan State University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Family Community Services with a Youth and Childhood Development Concentration.

In her free time, she enjoy rooting on the Michigan State Spartan football team and spending time with her husband and her son.

Senior Program Coordinator

Cristina Chinavare

Cristina Chinavare joined ECIC in 2021 and is currently a Senior Program Coordinator for the Early Care and Learning Team.  Previously, Cristina served as a  Innovation Associate for the Child Care Innovation Fund, and a Validator with Great Start to Quality.

Cristina has worked in the field of early childhood for over 10 years serving children from birth to 5 years old. Through her work, she has gained knowledge and experience in early childhood best practice, family engagement and program management. As a parent, and past administrator and educator, Cristina understands the importance of providing high quality care for children and their families, as well as advocating for educators in the field. She has a passion for helping children and their families receive affordable, high quality care, as early as possible. Her passion also includes promoting for higher wages and affordable access to continued education, for all educators. Her intentions for her work include actively collaborating with others to implement new innovations, processes, and equitable approaches to ensure all children, families and educators thrive.

Cristina received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, with a focus in leadership and administration, from the University of Michigan.

Project Manager, Innovation and Policy

Misti Conley-Rogers

Misti Conley-Rogers joined the ECIC team in March of 2022, as a Project Manager within the Policy and Innovation group.

Misti has dedicated the majority of her career to addressing the needs of children and families experiencing the child welfare system. Most recently, Misti worked to address performance and quality improvement within the Kent County foster care system. She was responsible for monitoring and auditing for contract compliance, analyzing and addressing organizational performance data, facilitating formal performance reviews, building performance improvement plans with network providers, managing innovative projects addressing gaps in the child welfare system, and collaborating with child welfare professionals across Kent county to develop solutions and advance child welfare.

Misti graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work from Central Michigan University and her Master of Social Work from Grand Valley State University.

Senior Implementation Consultant

Kortney D’Angelo

Kortney joined ECIC in May 2023 as the Senior Implementation Consultant for the Child Care Innovation Fund.

Kortney has worked in Detroit’s social impact sector for over six years. She is energized by innovative, collaborative work to solve big problems. A majority of her career has been dedicated to advancing outcomes for children and families in the early childhood sector, through family-centered evaluation and strategic project management. Though, most recently, she built and managed a scholarship program for young women in Detroit focused on financial wellness.

Kortney holds a Bachelor’s degree in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and a Master’s in Program Evaluation. This allows her to integrate evaluation and feminist theory to build participatory methods and find equitable solutions.

When not working, you will most likely find Kortney enjoying the lake with her mini golden-doodle, Rue, and soon to be husband, Devon.

TA Consultant

Nick Ford

Nick Ford is a dedicated education professional with extensive experience supporting schools, non-profits, and youth programs across Michigan. In his role as a state consultant, he partnered with over 90 organizations to improve child safety, licensing compliance, and program quality. With a strong foundation in K–12 leadership and classroom teaching, Nick has led curriculum development, professional training, and data-driven improvement strategies in both public school districts and statewide initiatives. Passionate about building systems that support children’s growth and well-being, Nick brings a collaborative, equity-driven approach to every project. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, coaching, and spending time with his family.

Data Systems Manager

Dana Frederick

Dana Frederick is the Data Systems Manager a role she has held since January 2019. Her focus is on the maintenance of the quality rating and improvement system, as well as, ensuring an effective data governance framework for data systems.

Ms. Frederick specialized in early childhood reporting and visualization, as well as, website quality assurance during her time as a senior analyst with the Center for Education Performance and Information’s Michigan School Data portal.

Ms. Frederick received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science specializing in Sociology from Ohio Northern University and received her Master of Public Administration from Michigan State University.

Technical Assistance Consultant

Charlotte Galgoci

Charlotte Galgoci is a Technical Assistance Consultant at ECIC.  She joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in March of 2022, bringing with her a passion for building relationships and supporting the family/provider connection. Charlotte’s experience includes creating and facilitating training for early childhood educators and families, program support for the Child Development and Learning Laboratory and facilitating ECE courses at a higher education level at Central Michigan University. Charlotte holds certifications in the Brazelton Touchpoints Parenting Curriculum, H.O.P.E. Framework, and is a certified Pre-K CLASS Observer through Teachstone.

Charlotte achieved a Bachelor’s in Child Development with a focus on Early Childhood and Communication Disorders and holds a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on Training and Development from Central Michigan University.

Chief Executive Officer

Alicia Guevara

Alicia Guevara is the Chief Executive Office (CEO) at ECIC. She joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in June 2020 as the Director of Statewide Policy Initiatives. Ms. Guevara brings an extensive background advocating for improved outcomes for children and families through her work in the nonprofit sector.

Prior to her arrival at ECIC, Ms. Guevara served as the director of the Kinship Care Resource Center at the Michigan State University School of Social Work and she worked for the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) as the director of the Kids Count project. Additionally, as Democratic Central Staff for the Michigan House of Representatives, she served as the lead analyst on issues affecting children, families, and seniors, along with immigration, women’s health, and regulatory reform.

Ms. Guevara earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Michigan and Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.

Validator

Tracie Guild

Tracie Guild is currently a Validator at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation where she focuses on the integrity of Great Start to Quality by reviewing the evidence submitted by programs in accordance with the Quality Indicators. Tracie joined ECIC in 2017 supporting the Great Start to Quality Validation work. Prior to joining, she also worked with children and families in settings including child care centers, summer camps, community youth sports programs, and before and after school programs.

As a parent and past educator, Tracie has a passion for helping all of Michigan’s children and families by advocating for their need to have accessible resources in order to thrive. Her intentions for her work include supporting programs to provide families with affordable, equitable and quality care for children where they can build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and growth.

Tracie received her Bachelor of Science in Family Community Services from Michigan State University.

Human Resources & Administrative Coordinator

Junneel Hirmiz

Junneel Hirmiz joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in October 2022 as the Human Resources and  Administrative Coordinator. In this role, she works with the operations team to handle administrative duties and coordinate general administration within the organization. She is responsible for providing various support functions for the company and its employees.

Junneel earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology specializing in neurodegenerative diseases at Central Michigan University.

Junneel’s mission is to highlight the importance of early childhood development and racial equity.

Vice President of Strategic Impact

Mina Hong

Mina Hong joins ECIC as the Vice President of Strategic Impact. Mina brings extensive experience in early childhood policy, systems building, and advocacy to advance high-quality, equitable, and inclusive early childhood systems.

Prior to joining ECIC, Mina served as a Director at Start Early, a national early childhood organization, where she was instrumental in building the organization’s Consulting team. In that role, she led high-impact, equity-centered consulting engagements with public sector leaders, advocacy organizations, providers, and families to advance federal, state, and community goals for stronger, more equitable early childhood systems. Much of Mina’s work focused on the needs of young children with disabilities and developmental delays and their families, as she firmly believes that if early childhood systems can effectively serve children with disabilities and delays – especially children of color with disabilities and delays – then they can work for every child.

Additionally, Mina previously served as a Senior Policy Associate at Michigan’s Children where she helped secure state budget and policy wins for families with young children. She also brings experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the University of Michigan Division of Student Life and New Detroit, Inc. Mina also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

Mina holds master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Policy from the University of Michigan.

On-Site Observation Manager

Kristen Howard

Kristen Howard joined the ECIC team as the On-Site Observation Manager in August 2021.  In this role, she provides oversight and leadership for the implementation of the Great Start to Quality Assessment Process.

Ms. Howard has been working in the early childhood field for over 20 years.  She is dedicated early childhood professional who recently was the Executive Director at Adrian Community Preschool where she also served as the lead GSRP teacher.  Through her work and educational background, Ms. Howard has become passionate in the area of quality in early childhood programs.

Ms. Howard received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Michigan State University.

Data Analyst

Abi Kaka

Abi Kaka joined Early Childhood Investment Corporation in November 2022 as a Data Analyst.

Currently, Abi leverages his diverse skill set as a Data Analyst, where he excels in transforming complex data into actionable insights. His proficiency in data visualization and statistical analysis enables him to tackle a wide range of data-driven challenges. Abi is committed to continuous learning and innovation, striving to enhance decision-making processes and contribute to the goal of ECIC.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geophysics from Federal University of Petroleum Resources Delta State Nigeria and, where he honed his skills in earth sciences, data interpretation, and analytical methodologies. His fascination with spatial data and advanced technologies led him to further his education in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, mastering spatial analysis, data analysis, remote sensing, and cartography.

Senior Administrative Coordinator

Amanda Klomparens-Bailey

As a Senior Administrative Coordinator, Amanda Klomparens-Bailey supports the implementation of ECIC’s programs and supports ECIC’s CEO. She has worked with the Great Start to Quality, License Exempt Provider project, Family & Parent Leadership and the Child Care Supply Building – Education and Training/Apprenticeship grant.

Amanda Klomparens-Bailey joined Early Childhood Investment Corporation in July 2023 as a Contracted Program Coordinator. She brings a background in both for-profit and non-profit sectors in marketing, communications, coordinating program logistics, accounting, and beyond! She supports directors and team members with the operational aspects of multiple programs, tracking grant-funded activities, supporting profess reporting, and various programmatic coordination responsibilities.

Amanda earned her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing at Davenport University. She lives in Holland, MI with her husband and two daughters. Her mission is to live in a world where everyone has access to high-quality child care.

Director of Program Compliance & Grants Administration

Kelly Kreider

Kelly Kreider is our Director of Program Compliance & Grants Administration. In this role, Ms. Kreider builds capacity and strengthens processes for meeting the multitude of compliance related priorities across the organization including reporting, contracts, and budgeting.

Ms. Kreider began her career as a Head Start teacher and has since held a variety of positions in the early childhood field with a focus on supporting teachers, caregivers, and consultants to improve quality.  Ms. Kreider has served on the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC) Governing Board in the roles of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Affiliate Representative. She has held several leadership roles with ECIC since 2012.

Ms. Kreider received her Bachelor of Science in Child Development with minors in Psychology and Recreation from Central Michigan University. Ms. Kreider also received her Master of Education specializing in Early Childhood from Grand Valley State University.

Validator

Nicole Kretzschmer

Nicole Kretzschmer is currently a Validator at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation where she focuses on the integrity of Great Start to Quality by reviewing the evidence submitted by programs in accordance with the Quality Indicators. Nicole joined ECIC in 2015 and has supported the Great Start to Quality Validation and Assessment work since 2013. She has also worked with children and families in settings including family child care, child care centers, faith-based centers, summer camps, and Head Start.

Nicole has a passion for both supporting programs to understand why providing quality child care is important and anchoring equity and inclusion in her work. Her intentions for her work include listening to diverse perspectives to gain understanding, identifying and mitigating her biases, and engaging with programs as they continue on their path to providing quality child care.

Nicole received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Great Lakes Christian College.

Validator

Candice Lewis

Candice Lewis is currently a Validator at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) where she focuses on the integrity of Great Start to Quality by reviewing the evidence submitted by programs in accordance with the Quality Indicators. Candice joined ECIC in 2015 and has supported the Great Start to Quality Validation and Assessment work since 2013. She has worked in the field of early childhood for over 20 years serving children ages 0-12 years in multiple settings and worked in an at-risk group home for youth serving ages 13-18 years.

Candice is passionate about creating an accessible and equitable environment where information is communicated in multiple ways to meet the different learning styles of families and those who serve in the Early Childhood field. Her intentions for her work include advocating for and educating on the importance of creating accessible materials and presenting them in diverse ways to ensure the information communicated is understood by the intended audiences.

Candice received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Brigham Young University, Provo.

Validator

Makenna Lopez

Makenna Lopez is currently a Validator at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation where she focuses on the integrity of Great Start to Quality by reviewing the evidence submitted by programs in accordance with the Quality Indicators. Makenna joined ECIC in 2024 supporting Great Start to Quality. Prior to joining, she worked with infants, toddlers, and families in child care centers. While teaching she gained experience working with children from multiple cultural and generational differences that opened her eyes to the differences in early childhood education. She was compelled to help develop children’s social and emotional development and work with families to ensure the best care is given to children in their homes and schools.

Makenna believes it is important to collaborate with all to ensure children are provided the tools and resources to grow and develop the best they can. Children were created with a great purpose, and we have the opportunity to help them reach and understand that purpose.

Makenna received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Development from Aquinas College in May 2023 and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Spring Arbor University.

CRM Specialist

Rusel Mahdi

Rusel has more than 15 years working in the community.  She has worked with Wayne County Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services as a Nutritionist and public health community coordinator. She worked alongside numerous agencies to assist with community initiatives. As a community nutritionist in the health department, her work consisted in identification and assessment of nutrition problems in the community as well as the design, implementation and evaluation of intervention programs. She provided individual assessment and counseling support for breastfeeding moms, pregnant, and postpartum women, infants and children and aided in helping improve birth outcomes and early childhood health. Her passion is health equity and education for all.

Rusel received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Madonna University. Also, she holds a certificate with the Michigan Community Health Worker Alliance and she is Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC).

Assessor

Felicitas Gonzalez Membrillo

Felicitas was born in Mexico City and raised in the USA. She is a mother of two wonderful children who enjoys spending quality time with them. Felicitas is happily married to an amazing man who has been supportive of her educational and professional journey.

She’s worked in the educational field for about five years, as a lead teacher of bilingual GSRP and SB programs, as a Spanish bilingual teacher and assessor. Felicitas is proud to support the home language of Michigan’s children and she encourages them to embrace their culture while creating a sense of belonging in the classroom.

Felicitas earned an Associates degree in early childhood education from Henry Ford College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Rochester University. She is motivated to continue her education to obtain a Master’s degree.

Early Childhood Career Development Specialist

Amy Moore

Amy joined ECIC in March of 2025 as the Early Childhood Career Development Specialist. Amy is a passionate advocate for young children, families, and educators, and has a strong desire to increase educator capabilities. As a mom to a young child, she values high quality practices and early learning experiences and believes all families should have access to high quality, affordable childcare and preschool and that teachers, children, and families should be served with equity. Amy previously worked as a Quality Improvement Specialist and Coach at the Great Start to Quality Southeast Resource Center, and has also worked in classrooms with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Amy received her Bachelor of Science in Children & Families from Eastern Michigan University in 2019 and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Arts in Early Childhood Education.

Assessor

Amy Moreno

Amy Moreno joined the Great Start to Quality Assessment Team in March of 2023 with over 25 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. She has taught in both public and private school settings along with licensed childcare facilities throughout the state of Michigan.

Mrs. Moreno has an extensive background in volunteering to help bring multiple forms of Fine Arts and Movement to children and families in the community. Working to support all children and their families secure a proper start in education and self worth is not only a passion for Mrs. Moreno, but a true mission.

In addition, Mrs. Moreno received her Bachelor of Science in Education, Fine Arts, and Language Arts with an Early Childhood Endorsement from the University of Michigan-Flint where she graduated with Honors. She also holds several Literacy Readiness Certificates in the State of Michigan. In her free time, Mrs. Moreno enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, and cheering on the Michigan Wolverines!

Quality Improvement Manager

Melissa Mosley

Melissa Mosley is currently the Quality Improvement Manager at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation. She focuses on the integrity of Great Start to Quality by providing oversight and leadership for implementing the Great Start to Quality Validation Process. Melissa joined ECIC in 2016 as a Validator and has been the Validation Manager since 2018. She has also worked with children and families in settings including a NAEYC-accredited center, a child care center, and before and after school programs.

With a passion for both quality and equity in early childhood, Melissa’s passions for her work include centering equity and inclusion in her work to increase outcomes for marginalized communities, address disparities, and support belonging. Her intentions for her work include ensuring diverse perspectives are included and heard, identifying and mitigating her biases, and committing to helping all children and families thrive in Michigan.

Melissa received her Bachelor of Applied Arts in Child Development and her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Central Michigan University.

Assessor

TaShanna Norrell

TaShanna Norrell joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in January of 2017. Her current work is focused on conducting on-site observations based on the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tools.

Ms. Norrell has worked in the education field for the past fifteen years in various roles which included teaching, training, and mentoring.

Ms. Norrell received her Bachelor of Art’s in Education, specializing in Early Childhood from Ashford University and her Master’s in Education specializing in Early Childhood and Educating Adults from Walden University.

Assessor

Hayley Norris

Hayley Norris became a Great Start to Quality Assessor in January 2013. Her current work is focused on conducting on-site observations based on the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) tools for the Great Start to Quality rating system.

Ms. Norris has worked in the early childhood field for seventeen years. Through her work, she has gained experience in best practices in teaching, assessment of programs, and providing resources to improve the quality of one’s program.

Ms. Norris received a Bachelor of Science in Early Education specializing in Early Childhood from Western Michigan Unviersity. Ms. Norris is a certified reliable HighScope Program Quality Assessment tools assessor.

Senior Advisor

Alan Oman

Alan Oman is a Senior Advisor at ECIC. He recently retired as Executive Director of Early Childhood Programs for Washtenaw Intermediate School District. At WISD, Alan was responsible for establishing the early childhood department and developing a team of over 50 professional staff. Prior to joining WISD, he launched the early childhood department at Midland County ESA. During his ISD career, Alan provided leadership for most major state and federal early childhood programs including, Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), Head Start and Early Head Start, Early On, Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions, and a Great Start to Quality Resource Center.

Before his career in public education, Alan had over 22 years’ experience with community based non-profits. While Executive Director of North Midland Family Center, he led the agency through the funding, design, and construction of a new facility that included licensed childcare, school-age care, and GSRP classrooms. In 2005, he was awarded the Charles J. Strosacker Award for his leadership at North Midland Family Center.

Alan was born in Salford in northern England, resulting in his life long passion for Manchester United Football Club. As a child, Alan moved with his family to Sarnia in Canada where he developed his love for hiking, canoeing, and being outdoors.
Alan is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario and has over 35 years of leadership experience with human service and educational organizations. He is a graduate of the Leadership Midland Class of 1997. He has served on the Board of Directors of numerous human service agencies and organizations including: the Michigan 4C Association, the Midland Center for Accessible Health Care, the Helping Hands Dental Center, the Michigan Head Start Association, and the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators’ (MAISA) Early Childhood Administrators’ Network (ECAN) Executive Committee.

Throughout his career, Alan has always been highly engaged in state-level advocacy efforts for families and a champion for social justice issues impacting the most vulnerable children, especially those in poverty, with disabilities, and children of color.

Director of Great Start to Quality

Christy Opsommer

Christy Opsommer is the Director of Great Start to Quality. In this role, she provides leadership and oversight for the assessment, validation and technology systems of Great Start to Quality. She also supports marketing, engagement and technical assistance with the 10 Great Start to Quality Resource Centers across the state.

Ms. Opsommer has experience educating children and mentoring early childhood educators, building effective, collaborative partnerships, and creating systems and resources for quality improvement. Ms. Opsommer is most proud and humbled by the amazing team she leads to support child care programs and families across Michigan. She is energized by collaborative work with colleagues and partners to create systemic change so families can thrive.

Ms. Opsommer received her Bachelor of Science in Family Community Service specializing in Early Childhood Education from Michigan State University.

Validator

Allyson Page

Allyson Page is currently a Validator at the Early Childhood Investment Corporation where she focuses on the integrity of Great Start to Quality by reviewing the evidence submitted by programs in accordance with the Quality Indicators. Allyson joined ECIC in 2017 supporting the Great Start to Quality Assessment work. Prior to joining, Allyson had worked in the education field for more than ten years. Through her work, she has gained knowledge and experience in best teaching practices, assessment, and collaboration.

As a parent and past educator, Allyson has a passion for helping all of Michigan’s children and families by advocating for their social, emotional, and physical well-being. Allyson’s intentions for her work include supporting programs to provide families with equitable and quality care for children where they can build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and growth.

Allyson received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Grand Valley State University and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Northern Michigan University.

Assessor

Molly Parish

Molly is and Assessor with The Great Start to Quality Team. She is a Western Michigan University graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree in Family Studies with a heavy emphasis on child development.  She joins ECIC with over 15 years of experience working with individuals with neurobiological disorders which included assessing individual and group programming to ensure effectiveness and inclusion for all students.  Having an extensive background and knowledge in neurodevelopmental milestones, she understands the importance of early childhood education and quality care for young children.

License-Exempt Provider Project Manager

Chandrika Poole

Chandrika Poole joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in November 2020 as the License Provider Project Supervisor. In this role, Chandrika provides leadership and oversight for the implementation of the License Exempt Provider Project.

Ms. Poole is a devoted early childhood professional who has an extensive background in supporting young children through system building and providing and sustaining high-quality care and service through collaboration with various stakeholders.

Ms. Poole brings tremendous experience working with people from a variety of backgrounds, cultivating relationships, community engagement, facilitation, and local and state grant management.

Ms. Poole received her Bachelor of Science in Counseling from Rochester University.

On-Site Observation Scheduler

Reva Richardson

Reva Richardson joined ECIC in October 2023 as Program Coordinator for the Infants and Toddlers Pilot Grant. In this role, she supports not only the implementation of this program but also helps maintain communication with internal and external constituents and assists with special projects as needed. She has many years of experience with nonprofits and programs for children, having spent countless hours organizing events and activities to help bring the community together.

Reva’s family includes her husband, three adult children, and their two Shi-Poo dogs. Having lived in the mid-Michigan area her whole life, Reva loves spending time with her whole family, creating Pure Michigan adventures around the state when they can all come together.

Reva earned a Bachelor of Arts in Community and Human Services, with a Family Focus from Siena Heights University, and has an Associate Degree in Child Development from Lansing Community College.

Project Manager

Monica Rodriguez

Monica is a Program Manager at ECIC. She brings over 12 years of experience strengthening education systems and increasing equitable access for underserved communities. Her prior work at the Mayor’s Office in Detroit and at the national research organization MDRC focused on spearheading initiatives that expanded high-quality learning opportunities through strategic program development and multi-sector collaboration.

Monica holds a M.Ed in Urban Pedagogy from the University of Michigan and a B.A in Organizational Communication from the University of Southern California.

Assessor

Amanda Ross

Amanda is a Great Start to Quality Assessor at ECIC. She has worked in early childhood for 16 years. During this time she has held a variety roles including being an in-home childcare professional, volunteering on the PTO at her local elementary school as well as various school functions. She obtained numerous certificates and trainings with Great Start to Quality and MiRegistry, and has worked on quality improvement planning through the LearnERS program with her Great Start Coach. She has strived to provide Michigan families and children in her community with a safe and educational learning environment that fosters social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

She received a Bachelor Degree of Science in Early Childhood Education from Ferris State University with Summa Cum Laude honors. She loves spending time exploring Michigan by hiking, biking, and skiing with her husband and two children.

Training and Technical Assistance Manager

Jennifer Rountree

Jennifer Rountree is ECIC’s Training and Technical Assistance Manager for the Training and Technical Assistance Center. In this role, she provides consultation, training and technical assistance support to state agencies, organizations and communities across the state, and training on the CLASS assessment tool.

Prior to her current role, Ms. Rountree has served as our Great Start to Quality Coordinator in supporting Great Start to Quality team in implementing, monitoring, and reporting the work of Michigan’s quality rating and improvement system. Ms. Rountree has also been a Technical Assistance Specialist supporting Quality Improvement staff across the state offering training and technical assistance as well as professional development support. She has been with our organization since 2015.

Ms. Rountree has been involved in the early childhood education field for more than 20 years. She is HighScope certified using the Classroom Observation Record (COR Advantage), Program Quality Assessment (PQA), and Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS).

Ms. Rountree received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from The Ohio State University, elementary teaching certification from California Lutheran University, and Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Northern Michigan University.

Senior Accountant

Sara Savage

Sara Savage is a seasoned accounting professional with a strong foundation in financial management and analysis. With a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy from Saginaw Valley State University, she has gained extensive experience in various municipal and corporate accounting roles. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, financial reporting, and audit preparation. Sara is highly skilled in utilizing various accounting software and systems, and she is adept at problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication.

Senior Director, External Affairs

Isaias Solis

Isaias Solis is the Senior Director, External Affairs at ECIC. Isaias is a dedicated community advocate who has always been passionate about positively impacting community. As a child, he migrated to the U.S. from Mexico City with his mother and older sister. His journey in Detroit allowed him to become quickly immersed in the city’s work to empower immigrants and low-income families through education, advocacy, and support services.

Throughout his career, Isaias has held various leadership positions, each focused on empowering communities and promoting equity and inclusion. Before joining the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, he served as Senior Director of Programs at Erie Neighborhood House, Deputy Empowerment Zone Chief at the South Bend Empowerment Zone, and Director of Programs at the Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA). In these roles, he advanced immigrant justice initiatives, educational equity, and developed and implemented initiatives to address housing inequities and promote economic stability in Chicago and South Bend.

Isaias is a recognized leader in his field, and his expertise and dedication have been acknowledged through various fellowships and awards. He has been selected for the prestigious Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Latino Leaders 2025, Chicago Latinos 40 Under 40 2023 Class, and for fellowships such as the HACE Elevando Latino Leaders Program, Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation Fellows Program, Chicago United for Equity Fellows Program, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Fellows Program. His contributions have also been honored with numerous awards, including the esteemed “Master Social Worker of the Year” from the Organization for Latino/Social Workers of Michigan and the notable “District Teacher of the Year” from the Donna Independent School District.

Solis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Education degree from Harvard University. He is driven by his commitment to equity and breaking down systemic barriers to self-sufficiency.

Communications Coordinator

Jesse Steinberg

Jesse Steinberg joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation team in February 2023 as a Communications Coordinator. With a background in LGBTQ+ youth advocacy and research, Jesse is excited to learn about the specific needs of children and families across the state of Michigan.

Before joining ECIC, Jesse worked for the Communications and Development team at SMYAL, empowering LGBTQ+ youth in the D.C. area. Their passion is conducting outreach to marginalized communities through social media and online community-building, and they hope to bring this inclusive lens to ECIC’s communications.

Jesse holds a Bachelor of Arts in Justice & Law from American University and recently graduated with a Masters’ Degree in Media Advocacy from Northeastern University.

Communications Manager

Laura Stockwell

With a multifaceted background spanning education, communications, and community involvement, Laura is a communications professional committed to driving positive change. Holding an M.A. in Communications and Multimedia and a B.A. in Child Development, she possesses a unique blend of expertise. Laura thrives in fostering stakeholder engagement, leveraging data analytics tools, and she also brings teaching and community leadership experience to her role. Outside the realm of education, Laura enjoys the outdoors, creative pursuits and volunteering for local conservation groups.

TA Consultant

Fredricka Tabor

Fredricka is a Technical Assistance Consultant at ECIC. Fredricka’s unwavering commitment to supporting families across the nation reflects her deep passion for service. After serving in the United States Navy, she transitioned into a career focused on child development and counseling. She has a particular passion for working with young children, from birth to five years old, as well as elementary-age children, adolescents, and individuals with intellectual disabilities. This focus has allowed her to build a strong foundation in supporting diverse needs and empowering children and families.

Her academic background in human development and mental health counseling is complemented by her pursuit of a PhD in Developmental Psychology. Fredricka is also actively pursuing play therapy training and working towards her Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) credential, which further enhances her ability to serve as a Licensed Professional Counselor. At the heart of Fredricka’s practice is a belief in the importance of creating a supportive and trusting environment. She values fostering openness and collaboration, particularly between parents and system leaders, to ensure that all voices are heard and respected.

Fredricka’s advocacy extends beyond her counseling practice, as she works tirelessly to validate and champion the needs of families, ensuring they are always heard and supported at Arkansas’ Excel by Eight’s leadership team as a parent advocate. Fredricka’s dedication, both in her professional life and in her volunteer work, demonstrates her steadfast commitment to bettering the lives of children and families, ensuring they have the support and resources they need to thrive.

Chief Operating Officer

De’Ashia Taylor

De’Ashia Taylor is a dynamic senior management professional with extensive experience in corporate finance, operations, administration, and organizational development. Her career spans multiple sectors, demonstrating her versatility and ability to excel in various environments. In her previous role as the Director of Administration at the City of Detroit, De’Ashia led diverse teams and managed daily operations, significantly enhancing policies, procedures, and standards. Her strategic vision and commitment to operational excellence were evident through her collaboration with executive leadership and direction of continuous improvement initiatives.

De’Ashia has successfully led departments such as Finance, Human Resources, Corporate Governance, Operations, Customer Service, Outreach, Compliance, Marketing, and Media. Her exceptional leadership skills have been recognized on numerous occasions, showcasing her ability to inspire and guide teams to success.

De’Ashia holds a Master’s Degree from Walsh College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Davenport University. Her academic credentials are complemented by certifications, including the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and her active membership in the National Black MBA Association. These qualifications reflect her dedication to continuous growth and excellence in her field.

Assessment Team Lead

Stacy Trelewski

Stacy Trelewski has been with ECIC since March 2022. She has dedicated her life to serving children and families. Since 2001, she has worked with children and their families in a variety of capacities, from childcare, to family education, to teaching preschool, and eventually coaching teachers.

Mrs. Trelewski is very passionate about early childhood education and the benefits that it has on our youngest members of society. She has a strong knowledge of developmentally appropriate and best practices. It is important to her that all children receive education in social/emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, and math in a play-based learning environment. She is passionate about social emotional development, and strongly believes that all behavior is communication. She is committed to ensuring that the children and families in her care are served to the best of her ability.

Mrs. Trelewski’s educational background began when she completed her Associate’s Degree of Applied Arts in Child Development. Soon after, she enrolled in Spring Arbor University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Family Life Education in 2007. After an eleven-year hiatus, she began an adventure at Central Michigan University, where she graduated with a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education in 2020.

Assessment Team Lead

Amber Vanderzalm

Amber Vanderzalm joined ECIC as a Great Start to Quality Assessor in 2017. Her current work is focused on conducting on-site observations based on the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), Environmental Rating Scales (ERS), and Social Emotional Learning Program Quality Assessment (SEL PQA). Ms. Vanderzalm is passionate about supporting Early Childhood programs as they strive to provide high quality care for all of Michigan’s children.

Ms. Vanderzalm has worked in the Early Childhood field for over twenty years in a variety of roles, including Lead Head Start Teacher, Mentor, and Education Specialist. Through her work, she has gained experience in best practices in teaching, assessment of programs and staff, and providing resources to improve the quality of the program.

Ms. Vanderzalm received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education specializing in Early Childhood from Western Michigan University. Ms. Vanderzalm is certified as a reliable assessor by Teachstone in the CLASS tools, ERSI in the ERS tools, and Weikart in the SEL PQA.

Senior Director, Programs

Donna J. Wade

Donna J. Wade, M.Ed. joins ECIC as our  Senior Director, Programs overseeing ECIC’s early care and education programming. Donna brings more than 25 years of experience in the early care and education field, specializing in advancing the quality of care for young children. Most recently, the past six years, she has served as Director of Quality Services for a non-profit organization supporting the early care and learning field in Alaska. Donna’s portfolio included: managing statewide childcare initiatives, improvement systems, leading Alaska’s implementation of QRIS, and supervising staff. Prior to her work in Alaska, she also worked in a range of roles on quality assessment, professional development and technical assistance with the Pennsylvania Keystone STARS program and is a frequent speaker at conferences and sought-after ECE instructor in higher education. Among Donna’s national affiliations, she is active with BUILD, the National Association for the Education of the Young Child, the National Black Child Institute and the National Professional Development Center for Inclusion. Donna holds a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University of PA and a BA in Organization Management from Immaculata University.

Policy & Outreach Manager

Kelly Walden

Kelly joined ECIC in January 2022 as the Policy & Outreach Associate before transitioning to Policy & Outreach Manager in April 2025. In her role, Kelly engages in strategic collaboration with partners to advance policy change at the state and federal levels.

Prior to ECIC, Kelly worked in the office of State Senator Stephanie Chang. She also helped lead the launch, facilitation, and renewal of a pilot program in Michigan high schools, which partnered students with and without disabilities to empower a culture of inclusion and develop leadership skills. She has also worked for the State of Michigan in a variety of roles.

Kelly earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master’s in Social Work specializing in Organization and Community Leadership from Michigan State University.

Outside the office, Kelly enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time with her family, including her son, William, who inspires her mission to ensure all children get a strong start in life.

Training Support Specialist

Dana Williams

Dana Williams joined ECIC as the Training Support Specialist in July 2022. Dana has over 15 years of experience serving in the early childhood education field working as both an educator for young children from infant through Prekindergarten, as well as in leadership positions helping teams of professionals grow and develop through training and professional development. She is passionate about helping improve early childhood education by empowering those who teach and care for children, sharing the importance of early childhood education and how it can drastically improve communities, and helping all families have affordable and accessible early education for their children.  Dana’s mission is to make an impact in the lives of children and help bring understanding about their development that gives them a solid foundation to grow on for life.

Dana received my Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and leadership from Rasmussen University.

Senior Administrative Coordinator

Heather Wilson

Heather Wilson serves as the senior administrative coordinator for the Leadership and Capacity Sharing Team and also supports the External Affairs team. She joined our team in October of 2022. Heather has been supporting senior leaders for over twenty years and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sign Language Studies from Madonna University.

TA Consultant

Maria Zavala

Maria Zavala-Paredes is a passionate social justice activist, changemaker, and visionary leader. A proud mother to her three daughters—Hermila (Mila), Estrella, and Mayeli—and a loving grandmother to Xavier, she shares a lifelong partnership with prison and social activist Efren Paredes Jr. Maria’s deep commitment to advocacy stems from her roots as the daughter of migrant farmworkers, experiencing firsthand the challenges of poverty, food insecurity, and housing instability. As a first-generation high school and college graduate, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a specialization in Xicano/Latino Studies from Michigan State University (MSU). Fluent in English and Spanish, Maria has dedicated over 25 years to the nonprofit sector, empowering low to moderate-income communities through housing, financial education, workforce development, and social justice initiatives.

Maria’s extensive career includes 11 years as a HUD Certified Housing Counselor, leading Telamon TRC’s Housing and Financial Empowerment Program, where she helped individuals build financial stability and achieve homeownership. In 2022, she transitioned to the Workforce and Career Services Program, focusing on creating pathways to employment for National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) participants. A founding member of The Injustice Must End (TIME) and a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, Maria also played a pivotal role in Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlán (MEXA) at MSU, organizing major demonstrations for Xicano/Latino student rights. Her leadership extends to serving on the United Way of Southwest Michigan Board of Directors and the Van Buren County Great Start Collaborative. Maria’s enduring legacy is recognized through the María Zavala Award, honoring Xicana/Latina women dedicated to advancing their communities, and through the Día de la Mujer Conference (DDLM), which she founded in 1994 as the largest Xicana/Latina conference in the Midwest. Her unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion continues to inspire and uplift marginalized communities.

Program Manager

Sarah Zyburt

Ms. Zyburt has been working in advocacy, nonprofits, and early childhood for the past decade.

A strong believer in partnering with parents and families, Sarah is excited about working to increase equity in early childhood through engagement and empowerment. Her work history includes nonprofit leadership, development, systems building, facilitation, and coaching.

Zyburt earned her Bachelor of Science from Northern Michigan University, and as a fervent lifelong learner, continues her post-baccalaureate studies.