Our Team

Data System Coordinator

Desmond Acquah

Desmond Acquah joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in October 2020 as the Data System Coordinator. His current work revolves around the maintenance of the Quality Rating and Improvement System for Great Start to Quality. He specializes in quality assurance and database management. Mr. Acquah has experience working with querying database, networking, cyber security and design applications across all platforms and operating systems.

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.

Lead Consultant, Equity & Leadership

Brooke Albert

Brooke Albert serves the vision and mission of ECIC as a Training Specialist with the License Exempt Provider project. In this role, she oversees statewide implementation of the Great Start to Quality Orientation (GSQO) and supports Michigan’s team of GSQO trainers.

Ms. Albert has an extensive background serving children and families in a variety of settings including licensed childcare, faith-based programs, home visiting, and public education, most recently serving as a License Exempt Provider Coach. She has a blend of knowledge and experience in health and safety, trauma-responsive care, child development, mental health, restorative practices, and facilitation and training. She is passionate about working collaboratively to ensure our communities are places where every child and family can truly thrive.

Ms. Albert is endorsed by the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (IMH-E®). She received her Master of Arts degree in Crisis Response and Trauma Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University

Technical Assistance Consultant

Michael Austin

TA Consultant

License-Exempt Provider Coach

Faith Baker

Faith Baker serves the southeast part of the state, as a License Exempt Provider Coach. Ms. Baker has worked in the early childhood field since 2012, working in numerous early childhood settings. Through her educational background and work, Ms. Baker has gained knowledge and experience in early childhood best practices, assessment tools, motivational interviewing, and family engagement.

Ms. Baker received her Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from Michigan State University.

HR & Administrative Coordinator

Myriam Bassil

Myriam Bassil joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in February 2021 as an HR & Administrative Coordinator. In her role, she provides coordination and support to ECIC’s human resources, finance, and operations teams, ensuring efficient administrative workflows across the organization. Ms. Bassil has 5 years of experience in different HR departments such as employee relations, recruitment, and compensation & benefits.

Ms. Bassil received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Notre Dame University- Lebanon.

Chief Executive Officer

Dawne Bell

Dawne Bell has over nineteen years of experience as a nonprofit leader and professional fundraiser, specializing on issues affecting women and children such as early care and education, domestic violence, health care, housing and homelessness and workforce development. Before joining ECIC, Dawne most recently served as a foundation executive in Southern Arizona and was previously the chief fundraiser for the largest homeless health care agency in New York City, NY. She also formerly served as the executive director of a statewide nonprofit pediatric hospital foundation for children with special health care needs in New Mexico and led the fundraising and advocacy departments at award-winning health care and social service nonprofit organizations in New Mexico and Michigan.

Dawne has served on numerous boards, including the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Association of Fundraising Professionals and Women’s Prison Association. She is a frequent speaker to nonprofit organizations, facilitating training workshops on nonpartisan advocacy, fundraising and board engagement. Dawne is a member of AFP and Rotary and was named “40 Under 40” by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Daily Star.

Dawne has an MPA from Grand Valley State University and a BA from Kalamazoo College. Alumnus of the Fundraising School at Indiana University-Purdue University, she has raised over $40 million for numerous causes and held the CFRE credential since 2009.

Dawne is a native Michigander, happy to be back in her home state.

Database & Technology Specialist

Jeff Berman

Jeff Berman became the Database Specialist in January 2018. His current work revolves around developing the Salesforce platform and administering the site across multiple projects.

Mr. Berman has experience working with customer relationship management, netoworking, security and design applications across all platforms and operating systems.

Mr. Berman received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University and currently holds ten technical certifications.

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.

Assessor

Rahni Bryant

Rahni Bryant joined ECIC in June 2022.

Mrs. Bryant has worked in the education field for almost two decades.  As an Early Childhood educator, she has worked many years in preparing students for educational success using best practices.  She has gained experience in creating quality programs for a diverse group of learning needs.

Mrs. Bryant received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Michigan University.

Senior Director of Equity and Leadership

Natalia Carvalho-Pinto

Natalia Carvalho-Pinto joins us from Kalamazoo College, where she served as director for the Office of Intercultural Student Life.  She holds a Master’s degree in Social-Cultural Studies of Education from Western Michigan University.  For the past 15 years, she has served in various capacities in higher education institutions in Michigan.  Most recently, in 2016, she became the founding director for the Office of Intercultural Student Life at Kalamazoo College.  Throughout her time in higher education she has also facilitated numerous trainings to students, faculty, staff and administrators across Michigan on: best practices for supporting undocumented college students, policy advocacy for undocumented students, understanding the history of U.S. schooling, impacts of Race, Class and Ethnicity on educational systems, storytelling for students, resilience, and supporting and advising students of color and first-generation college students.  She also co-teaches a Sophomore-level Anthropology & Sociology course at Kalamazoo College, titled Theory in Action.

Natalia was born and raised in Braganca-Paulista, Brazil.  She attended a high school in her hometown that used Freirean pedagogy and promoted thinking around liberation, which – to this day – inspires her educational advocacy, research and professional journey.  Natalia feels called to use her passion, access, and experiences with schooling for eliminating inequities within our institutions, and creating spaces of disruption and belonging for students and communities who are marginalized by our system.  Part of her success lies in her ability to connect theory to stories, narratives, and her own experiences to help us understand the complexity of institutional politics.  She loves her communities deeply, and uses compassion and humor to invite others to think about the ways we can engage with change and transformation.  Natalia will tell you, however, that the most important and meaningful role of her life is being a parent to her creative, feisty, socially-conscious and artistic 14-year-old daughter.

Validator

Cristina Chinavare

Cristina Chinavare became a Great Start to Quality Validator in 2021 where she focuses on the integrity of the Great Start to Quality rating system by reviewing the evidence submitted as a part of the Self-Assessment Survey.

Ms. Chinavare has worked in the field of early childhood for over 10 years serving children from birth to 5 years old. Cristina has gained knowledge and experience in early childhood best practice, family engagement and program management.

Ms. Chinavare 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.

Innovation and Policy Associate

Kelly Christman

Kelly Christman is the Project Manager for the Child Care Innovation Fund and previously served as a Great Start to Quality Validator in 2019 where she focuses on the integrity of the Great Start to Quality rating system by reviewing the evidence submitted as a part of the Self-Assessment Survey.

Ms. Christmas joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in 2013 as an Assessment Specialist and later an Early Childhood Specialist working with the Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge grant.

Ms. Christman received her Bachelor of Science in Family and Community Services specializing in Early Childhood Education and her Master’s in Child Development from Michigan State University. Ms. Christman is a certified reliable HighScope Program Quality Assessment tools assessor.

Project Manager, Policy and Innovation

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.

Data Systems Manager

Dana Frederick

Dana Frederick became our Data Systems Manager in 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.

Program Coordinator

Charlotte Galgoci

Charlotte Galgoci joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in March of 2022 as Program Coordinator. Charlotte brings over 25 years of experience in the field of early childhood, working in a variety of roles that have been driven by a passion for building relationships and supporting the family/provider connection. Charlotte’s experience includes creating and facilitating trainings for early childhood educators and families, program support for the Child Development and Learning Laboratory at Central Michigan University and facilitating ECE courses at a higher education level. Charlotte has also completed Individual Level Training and the Touchpoints Parenting Program facilitator training through the Brazelton Touchpoints Center and is a certified Pre-K CLASS Observer through Teachstone.

Charlotte achieved a BAA in Child Development with a focus in Early Childhood and also a MA degree in Education with a focus on Training and Development from Central Michigan University.

License Exempt Provider Coach

Joda Grimes

Joda Grimes became a License Exempt Provider Coach in October 2018. She works to support license-exempt child care providers to successfully complete newly required on-site health and safety visits that occur in the child’s home within required timelines.

Ms. Grimes has worked as a Family Engagement Consultant providing trainings for licensed and license-exempt providers and their families.

Ms. Grimes received her Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies from Western Michigan University.

Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy

Alicia Guevara Warren

Alicia Guevara Warren joined the Early Childhood Investment corporation in June 2020 as the Director of Statewide Policy Initiatives. Ms. Warren 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. Warren 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. Warren 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 became a Great Start to Quality Validator in 2017 where she focuses on the integrity of the Great Start to Quality rating system by reviewing the evidence submitted as a part of the Self-Assessment Survey.

Ms. Guild has worked in the field of early childhood for over eight years serving children from birth to 12 years old. Tracie has gained knowledge and experience in early childhood best practice, program management, writing curriculum and family engagement.

Ms. Guild received her Bachelor of Science in Family Community Services specializing in Youth, Program Management, Health and Kinesiology from Michigan State University.

Senior Director of Operations

Kelly Herron

Kelly Herron joined ECIC in June of 2022 as the Senior Director of Operations.  She is the former director of mission integration at Trinity Health Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan.  While in the role, Kelly oversaw mission integration operations and community health & wellbeing.  Kelly has worked in non-profit leadership for more than twenty-five years.

Kelly received her BA from U of M – Flint and was intent upon teaching high school.  After a variety of student teaching positions, she realized the significant impact of early childhood experiences on future learning.  She opened her own family home day care in 1997 and focused on making a difference for families.  She became the first accredited home day care in Oakland county.  She earned her master’s degree from Sacred Heart Major Seminary and studied clinical pastoral education at Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak.  In her quest to create systemic change, Kelly became the executive director of the nation’s oldest free Clinic – Cabrini Clinic – in Corktown, Detroit, Michigan.  While there, she developed a system to address social determinants of health one family at a time.

Kelly and her family own an orchard in Wexford county Michigan where they grow apple trees and raise honeybees.  While her passion is systemic change, education and service to people who are most marginalized in a community, she volunteers regularly as a NICU baby cuddler.

License Exempt Provider Coach

Irma Hines

Irma Hines became a License Exempt Provider Coach in October 2018. She works to support license-exempt child care providers to successfully complete newly required on-site health and safety visits that occur in the child’s home within required timelines.

Ms. Hines has worked with English as a Second Language and Migrant K-12 students and families for 13 years in Washington and Michigan helping them connect with resources in their community.

Ms. Hines received her Bachelor of Science in Merchandising and Design specializing in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University.

Assessment Manager

Kristen Howard

Kristen Howard joined the ECIC team as the Assessment 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.

Consultant/Trainer, Equity & Leadership

Jacob Pinney-Johnson

Jacob Pinney-Johnson joined the ECIC team as Consultant and Trainer in Equity and Leadership in June 2022. His role supports the work of the National Center for Family and Parent Leadership.

Jacob’s work experience includes a commitment to health & wellness, youth development, family & parent support, economic & criminal justice reform, racial equity & advocacy work. Jacob has experience in parent leadership and support through his work in helping to establish Kalamazoo’s County’s 4Dad Fatherhood program, and engaging as an active member of the Fatherhood Network of Kalamazoo. As father of two, Jacob has a drive and dedication to being a part of the success and upliftment of his community. “My hope is to end oppression in all forms while helping to build new systems centered around equity and love. I hope that my children and future generations can experience health, wellness and quality of life.”

Pinney-Johnson is a 4th-generation Kalamazoo, MI resident, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a Minor in Holistic Health.

 

Program Compliance Officer

Kelly Kreider

Kelly Kreider is our Program Compliance Officer. 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 for Great Start to Quality and previously served as the Assessment Manager for Great Start to Quality. In the Validator role, she focuses on the integrity of the Great Start to Quality rating system by reviewing the evidence submitted as a part of the Self-Assessment Survey.

Ms. Kretzschmer joined in 2015 as a Validator for Great Start to Quality and worked as a contracted Assessment Specialist for Great Start to Quality beginning in 2013. Ms. Kretzschmer has worked with children and families in settings including family child care, child care centers, faith-based centers, summer camps, and Head Start.

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

 

Validator

Candice Lewis

Candice Lewis became a Great Start to Quality Validator in 2015 where she focuses on the integrity of the Great Start to Quality rating system by reviewing the evidence submitted as a part of the Self-Assessment Survey.

Ms. Lewis has worked in the field of early childhood for 20 years serving children ages 0-12 years in multiple programs. She has also worked in an at-risk group home for youth serving ages 13-18 years.

Ms. Lewis received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Brigham Young University, Provo and has earned a Michigan Provisional Training Certificate.

Validator

Angeliek Lopez

Angeliek F. Lopez became a Great Start to Quality Validator in 2017 where she focuses on ensuring the integrity of the Great Start to Quality rating system by reviewing the evidence submitted by programs and providers as a part of their Self-Assessment Survey.

Ms. Lopez has worked in the early childhood field since 2003 and previously owned a Licensed Group Child Care, a Spanish Immersion, Reggio Emilia program.

Ms. Lopez received her Bachelor of Arts in Family Community Services specializing in development from conception until 18 years of age and a Health Specialization from Michigan State University.

Communications Coordinator

Mariah McClain

Mariah McClain joins Early Childhood Investment Corporation as the Communications Coordinator. She currently works to support Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s branding and messaging efforts.

Ms. McClain brings over nine years of experience specializing in communications and marketing for local, national, and international nonprofit organizations.

Before joining ECIC, Ms. McClain most recently served as Communications and Events Specialist for Milk Means More, managing their social media and engaging with youth across the state to share nutrition education. She also has experience developing the first communications plan for the Bay Area Black Worker Center and National Black Worker Center Project and served as Communications Consultant with the PR firm McKinney & Associates. Through her work at McKinney & Associates, Ms. McClain provided branding assistance and media engagement support for clients such as Human Rights Watch, Paris Noire, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Black Voters Matter.

Ms. McClain received a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communications with an Area of Emphasis in Political Science from Hampton University.

Validation Manager

Melissa Mosley

Melissa Mosley became the Validation Manager for Great Start to Quality in 2018. In this role, she provides oversight and leadership for the implementation of the Great Start to Quality Validation Process.

Ms. Mosley joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in 2016 as a Validator for Great Start to Quality. Ms. Mosley has worked with children and families in settings including a NAEYC accredited center, a child care center, and a before and after school programs.

Ms. Mosley 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.

Director of Systems

Christy Opsommer

Christy Opsommer became our Director of Systems in October 2016. In this role, she provides leadership and oversight for the assessment, validation and technology systems of Great Start to Quality.

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 previously held the Manager of Quality Improvement role at Learning Care Group.

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

Assessor

Allyson Page

Allyson Page became a Great Start to Quality Assessor in September 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. Page has 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.

Ms. Page received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education specializing in Health Education from Grand Valley State University. Ms. Page is also certified as a reliable HighScope assessor.

License Exempt Provider Project Manager

Chandrika Payton

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

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

Technical Assistance Consultant/CLASS Trainer

Jennifer Rountree

Jennifer Rountree is a Technical Assistance Consultant and CLASS Certified Trainer 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.

Assessor

Amber Vanderzalm

Amber Vanderzalm became a Great Start to Quality Assessor in June 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. Vanderzalm has worked in the Early Childhood field for twenty years in a variety of roles. 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 HighScope.

LICENSE-EXEMPT PROVIDER COACH

Stacy Trelewski

Stacy Trelewski has been an LEP Coach 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.

Senior Program Director

Donna J. Wade

Donna J. Wade, M.Ed. joins ECIC as our  Senior Program Director, 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 Associate

Kelly Walden

Kelly Walden joined the Early Childhood Investment Corporation in January 2022 as the Policy & Outreach Associate. In this role, she works with coalition partners to advance policy change at the state and federal levels.

Kelly has experience in strategic planning, policy analysis, program evaluation, and community advocacy.

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

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.