Board

Ann Cameron

Director, Head Start for the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. Ann F. Cameron of Bay Mills, is the Head Start Director for the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. and a member of the Early Childhood Advisory Committee for the Bay Mills Community College. She is a long-standing member of the Tribal Early Childhood Research Center Steering Committee and the National Indian Head Start Directors Association Board of Directors. Ms. Cameron was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in July 2021.

Dr. Robert Davies

Dr. Robert Davies, of Weidman, is a tenured professor teaching leadership courses in the Colleges of Business and Education at Central Michigan University. Davies previously served as the president of Central Michigan University, Murray State University, and Eastern Oregon University.

Davies serves on the boards of the Mid-Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Midland Business Alliance, the Michigan Children’s Foundation, and the Great Lakes Business Alliance. Davies holds a Bachelor of Science in management from the University of Nevada at Reno, a Master of Business Administration in finance and marketing from the University of Oregon, and a Doctor of Philosophy in higher education administration from The State University of New York at Buffalo.

Jana L. Dean

Chief Financial Officer, MPHI

Jana L. Dean, of East Lansing, is the chief financial officer for MPHI, a non-profit public health institute. She holds an accounting degree and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University. Ms. Dean is also a Certified Financial Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor.  Ms. Dean was a past Board President for the Lansing Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors.  Ms. Dean is appointed for a term commencing August 7, 2020.  

Dr. Anissa Eddie

Dr. Anissa L. Eddie, of Grand Rapids, is the Founder and Principal of Liminality Consulting LLC. Liminality is dedicated to advancing translational research to equip parents, families, early educators, program leaders, and policymakers with accessible tools and intentional practices. to support the healthy development of all young children and to build systems that enable them to thrive.

Dr. Eddie is also a Policy Fellow with the National Black Child Development Institute and a Pritzker Fellow with the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Calvin University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in child development from Michigan State University.

Dr. Eddie was appointed on August 7, 2025.

Brandon Gleaton

Brandon Gleaton, of Detroit, is a senior portfolio manager for PreK-20 education at Ballmer Group. Previously, Gleaton was a program officer for Borealis Philanthropy, a fellow at Grantmakers for Southern Progress, and executive director of the Hazel Park Promise Zone and College Access Network. Gleaton serves on the City of Detroit Master Plan Advisory Group and as co-chair of the Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center Board of Directors. Gleaton holds an associate of arts from Oakland Community College, Bachelor of Education from Wayne State University, and a Master of Public Administration and Policy from the University of Michigan – Dearborn. Brandon Gleaton is appointed for a term commencing August 7, 2025, and expiring July 22, 2029.

Dr. Michele Harmala

Deputy Superintendent- Michigan Department of Education

 

Paula Herbart

Paula Herbart, of Lansing, MI is the former president of the Michigan Education Association. Herbart is also a former elementary and middle school teacher, as well as an early childhood center program director. Herbart has previously served on the boards of Metropolitan Detroit Chorale, the Michigan Education Association, the National Education Association, Launch Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan, Emergent Holdings, and Children Trust Michigan.

In 2021, Herbart was named one of Michigan’s 100 most influential women by Crain’s Detroit. Herbart holds a Bachelor of Music in music education from the University of Michigan Paula Herbart is appointed for a term commencing April 25, 2025, and expiring July 22, 2026. Herbart succeeds Sharyl Smith, who has resigned.

Immediate Past Chair

Ja’Nel L. Jamerson

Executive Director, Educare Flint and the Flint Early Childhood Collaborative 

Ja’Nel L. Jamerson is the executive director of Educare Flint and the Flint Early Childhood Collaborative. An ardent advocate for holistic family engagement, Mr. Jamerson seeks to disrupt inter-generational cycles of poverty through the development and implementation of programs, partnerships, and policies that honor the interdependence between the success of children and the well-being of their parents. He holds a Master of Arts in Secondary Urban Education and an Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Michigan-Flint. Mr. Jamerson was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in August 2020. 

Board Treasurer

Kristi Krafft-Bellsky

Kristi Krafft-Bellsky, of Frankenmuth, is a principal and quality control director at Yeo & Yeo, CPAs and Advisors. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accountancy from Western Michigan University and is a licensed CPA in Michigan. Ms. Krafft-Bellsky was appointed to the ECIC Executive Committee in Oct. 2023.

Laurie Linscott

Director – Michigan State University Development Laboratories

Linscott is the director of the Michigan State University Child Development Laboratories. Her career has been devoted to the field of early child care and education. Linscott holds an Associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Junior College, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University, and a Master’s degree in Child Development from Michigan State University. She was appointed to the Executive Committee by Governor Rick Snyder in August 2017.

Board Secretary

Chioke Mose-Telesford

Director – Director of Improving Practices and Outcomes for the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

 

Chioke Mose-Telesford, of Detroit, is the Director of Improving Practices and Outcomes for the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, president of the Michigan Stanford Alumni Association, and a board member at the Detroit Continuum of Care. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in African and African-American Studies from Stanford University. Ms. Mose-Telesford is appointed for a term commencing March 16, 2023 and expiring July 22, 2026. She succeeds Kristen McDonald-Rivet, whose term has expired. 

Kenyatta Stephens

Chief Operating Officer – Black Family Development, Inc. 

Kenyatta has served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Black Family Development, Inc for almost 20 years. The organization works to strengthen and enhance the lives of children, youth, and families through partnerships that supports safe, nurturing and vibrant homes schools and communities. In her time in this role, she has managed programs/services, budgets and business relationships pertaining to the organization’s operations.

Previously she served as the Program Supervisor for the organization, overseeing child and family Medicaid-funded mental health. Ms. Stephens also oversaw domestic violence counseling, juvenile delinquency services, substance abuse treatment, and homeless prevention services.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Nursing in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (Child and Family) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Stephens currently resides in Farmington Hills.

Board Vice Chair

Kevin Stotts

President of Talent 2025

Kevin Stotts, of Ada, is the president of Talent 2025 and a member of the Children’s Leadership Council of Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Michigan State University. Mr. Stotts was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in July 2021. 

Dr. Steven Tunnicliff

Superintendent of Genesee Intermediate School District

Dr. Steven Tunnicliff, of Flushing, is the superintendent of Genesee Intermediate School District. Dr. Tunnicliff obtained a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, a Master of Arts in educational leadership from Central Michigan University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership and education specialist-educational leadership from Oakland University. He is also the president-elect of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and serves on the Autism Council. Dr. Steven Tunnicliff was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Nov. 2024.    

Board Chair

Irene Watts

Irene Watts is a longtime champion for children, families, and inclusive educational systems, bringing more than 20 years of experience across early childhood education, community advocacy, and statewide policy leadership. She currently serves as the CEO of Watts Advisory Group, a boutique consultancy specializing in strategic planning, nonprofit capacity-building, and education-sector innovation. In this role, Irene advises organizations, school districts, and mission-driven companies on scaling impact, strengthening partnerships, and designing community-centered solutions.

Irene also serves as the Academic Strategy Officer at TripSlip, where she leads national partnerships, academic strategy, and policy alignment for one of the country’s fastest-growing education technology platforms supporting experiential learning and student engagement.

Her career began in the classroom as a preschool teacher and administrator where she developed a deep understanding of the supports families and educators need to thrive. She later expanded her impact through public service as a school board and higher education trustee, shaping districtwide policy and governance, and through statewide leadership as Chair of ECIC, helping advance Michigan’s early childhood infrastructure and champion access for all types of learners.

A proud Michigander, University of Michigan alumna, marathon runner, and member of President Obama’s inaugural Change Collective, Irene brings a values-driven approach to every role she takes on.