Our Team
The goal of the National Workforce Registry Alliance is to be the central hub of data collection and dissemination used to inform and strengthen the Early Learning and Out-of-School-Time Workforce through collaboration with state workforce registry systems and national partners.
The NWRA staffing team is tiny but mighty. We are dedicated to growing our bench with professionals who help us rise to the occasion, supporting the operational functions of our membership organization. Much of our work is powered through one of numerous committees composed of registry volunteers from the states. In 2019, we benefited from the efforts of upwards of 140 volunteers. Our work is also guided, in part, through the leadership of our volunteer Board of Directors.
Our Team:
Director of Finance & Operations
Sarah Zolad, MBA (MD)
Executive Program Manager
Nicole Craig (LA)
Media, Conference & Event Support
Felipe Vargas, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate (TX)
Board of Directors
The goal of the National Workforce Registry Alliance is to be the central hub of data collection and dissemination used to inform and strengthen the Early Care and Education Early Childhood and After-school Workforce through collaboration with state workforce registry systems and national partners.
Registry Directors and vested workforce allies strengthen our organizational outputs by volunteering on our Board of Directors.
President
Diana Diaz (NY)
The Aspire Registry
NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
City University of New York
President-Elect
Dr. Katari Coleman (IL)
National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment (NCASE)
Education Development Center
Treasurer
Mark Becker (AZ)
Arizona Early Childhood Career & Professional Development Center
Arizona PBS – Arizona State University
Secretary
Kris Madden (PA) Pennsylvania Professional Development Registry Pennsylvania Keys To Quality/Berks County Intermediate Unit
Region 1 Board Rep
Margaret Gustafson (CT)
Connecticut Early Childhood Professional Registry
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Region 2 Board Rep
Jhoana Taboada (NY)
The Aspire Registry
NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute at City University of New York
Region 3 Board Rep
Donna Wennerholt (PA)
Pennsylvania Professional Development Registry
Pennsylvania Keys To Quality/Berks County Intermediate Unit
Region 4 Board Rep
Christi Moore (GA)
Georgia Professional Development System (GAPDS)
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
Region 5 Board Rep
Emily Finnerud (MI)
Michigan Registry
The Registry, Inc.
Region 6 Board Rep
Dr. Tracy Anne Jones (TX)
Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System
University of Texas Houston
Region 7 Board Rep
Lisa Driskel-Hawxby (MO)
Missouri OPEN Initiative
University of Missouri
Region 8 Board Rep
Jennifer Zook (WY)
Wyoming Statewide Training & Resource System (STARS)
Align
Region 9 Board Rep
Elise Crane (CA)
Early Care & Education Workforce Registry
Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles
Region 10 Board Rep
Vasilya Mendybaeva (WA)
MERIT Managed Education & Registry Information Tool
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, & Families
Ex-Officio Member
Dr. Walter Gilliam, (CT)
Child Study Center, Edward Ziglar Center in Child Development & Social Policy
Yale: School of Medicine
Member-At-Large
– ()
Standards & Data Committee Chair
Katy Love (WI) &
Amy Yagil (PA)
Partnership Outreach Public Policy (POPP) Committee Lead Co-Chair
vacant