Executive Director

Start Early is a national nonprofit and public-private partnership dedicated to ensuring all Children have access to high-quality early childhood experiences from prenatal through age five. We advance this mission through direct services, professional learning, research, and policy advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.

Headquartered in Chicago, Start Early maintains a national presence with state offices in Illinois and Washington, and staff based in Washington, DC and nationwide. Our work strengthens early childhood systems, informs public policy, and supports educators and families across the country.

We believe families are central partners in children’s learning and development, and that strong early childhood systems are built in partnership with communities. Our work is grounded in collaboration, respect, and evidence-based practice to ensure children and families have access to high-quality programs and support.

The Executive Director sets the program, policy, and research agenda for Start Early Illinois, oversees operations, and serves as the organization's primary external representative in the state. Start Early Illinois accounts for roughly two-thirds of Start Early’s budget and nearly half of its staff, making this role central to the organization’s impact and national credibility. This leader partners closely with policy, program, communications, and development teams to advance a comprehensive, prenatal-to-5 system of early learning and care and to ensure excellence across direct service, professional development, training, and technical assistance.

The role also serves as Start Early’s chief spokesperson in Illinois, building relationships with policymakers, funders, and partners while advancing public awareness and support for early learning. As part of this external leadership, the Executive Director champions the Educare model developed by Start Early and its directly operated Educare schools and programs.

Reporting to the President and serving on the Start Early Executive Team, the Executive Director oversees
1) Vice President, Illinois Policy Team;
2) Vice President, Early Learning Network
3) Vice President, Research and Evaluation,
4) Managing Director, Home Visiting and Doula Network;
5) Managing Director, Professional Learning Network of Illinois;
6) Managing Director, Strategy and Expansion, and
7) Chief of Staff, Illinois, and has overall responsibility for approximately 180 staff. This role plays a key part in enterprise strategy, board engagement, and fundraising, while representing Illinois initiatives at national tables. The Executive Director, Illinois, must reside in Illinois and must be available for in‑person meetings in the Chicagoland area.

EARLY LEARNING NETWORK:
Supports community-based agencies delivering high-quality Early/Head Start programs serving 2,000+ children and families. Generates learning that strengthens Start Early’s program design, policy, and systems‑building work. Our network includes (3) programs directly operated by Start Early Illinois:

HEALTHY PARENTS AND BABIES:
Provides direct doula and home visiting services supporting families from pregnancy through age three. Focuses on perinatal care, parenting education, and child development.

EDUCARE CHICAGO:
Operates a flagship early learning school serving 136 children and families. Serves as a demonstration site for program innovation and field engagement.

EDUCARE LAKE COUNTY:
Expands Start Early’s second directly operated Educare school in Zion, Illinois, serving 174 children. Includes interim programming and development of a permanent facility.

HOME VISITING AND DOULA PROGRAM NETWORK:
Supports 25 community-based agencies delivering home visiting and doula services to more than 1,500 families statewide. Provides technical assistance and quality improvement support.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORK OF ILLINOIS:
Delivers coaching, training, and technical assistance to home visiting and center‑based programs across Illinois. Advances continuous quality improvement across the early childhood field.

ILLINOIS POLICY TEAM:
Leads systems‑building and advocacy…