Collaborative for Children’s leadership team has the collective experience to be effective advocates for early learning and reflects our belief that we must come together as a diverse community around the idea that all children deserve the opportunity to succeed.

Board of Directors

Charles Schwartzel, Chair

Charlie Yardley, Vice Chair

Ira Andhare

Taffney Battle

Heather Golden

Steve Gomez

Gretchen Himsl

Jason Hitchcock

L’Sheryl D. Hudson

Khambrel Marshall

Lisa R. McBride

David Mercado

Denise Sanders

Jamie K. Sanders

Senior Leadership Team

Melanie J. Johnson, Ed. D.

President and CEO

Precious Parks, BS, MS, Ed. D.

Chief Programs Officer

Leslie Gruver, CPA, BBA

Chief Financial Officer

Susan Kennedy, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Chief Human Resources Officer

Why Early Childhood Education? Children who experience a high-quality early learning experience are ready to face the future with confidence, and prepared to seize all of its opportunities. Learn More

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