Alliance Welcomes New Executive Director

The National Workforce Registry Alliance, Inc. welcomes Kimberlee Belcher-Badal, Ph.D., as the new executive director. Dr. Belcher-Badal takes the reins on November 11, 2019. She replaces Rose M. Kor, MPA, who has served as the Alliance executive director since January of 2014.

“The Alliance is excited to welcome Kimberlee as our new executive director,” said Kelly Smith, president of the board of directors. As a longtime member, Kimberlee has been vested in early childhood workforce development for the past 15 years. As an Executive Committee Member,

Kimberlee demonstrated her commitment to the advancement of the organization through the facilitation of a strategic plan, nurturing community partnerships, and identifying opportunities for growth and advancement.

Kimberlee comes to the National Workforce Registry Alliance with a strong background in workforce development, career pathways, and state early childhood and after school registry development. Her doctoral studies focused extensively on mapping state registry developments across the country and possibilities for future partnerships. In the process of conducting early childhood workforce policy developments, she was able to look closely at each state’s system, the intersection of state registries in QRIS systems, and the potential to leverage data collected to influence policy, practice, and preparation.

Kimberlee has been working in and with state early childhood registries in many facets: as a teacher, school director, Early Childhood Apprenticeship Coordinator, TEACH Early Childhood Program Director, policy advocate, and through her dissertation for Indiana University. Kimberlee’s undergraduate degree is a BS in Early Childhood; her master’s degree is in Elementary Education. Her Ph.D. is in Curriculum & Instruction, with a minor in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. She has training and experience in Dynamic Governance with John Buck and Ted Rau, a certificate in Art Therapy, and has obtained a Montessori Credential.

Kimberlee is a military spouse, living in Northern Virginia, just south of Washington DC. She has two young children who attend a nature-based school in the region and, after living in 14 states, she is thrilled to live where there are four solid seasons, accessible museum experiences, and rich, diverse cultural opportunities. She is looking forward to working with state registries, Alliance Allies and Partners, and coordinating future opportunities for growth and development!