Early Childhood Specialist

Trinisha Dean

As a partner of the Smart Start network, my current employer, Alliance for Children, has adopted the diversity declaration set forth by North Carolina Partnership for Children. As a local partner, I will continue to ensure there is fairness and equity in the placement of our NCPK families and children and support and advocate for the coursework with surrounding higher education institutions to teach about inclusiveness and equality, and equity in their instruction and curriculum. I will continue to be a voice and cheerleader for the inclusiveness of early childhood teachers as a career and profession.

Nora Lee

As a partner of the Smart Start network, my current employer, Alliance for Children, has adopted the diversity declaration set forth by North Carolina Partnership for Children. As a local partner, I will continue to ensure there is fairness and equity in the placement of our NCPK families and children and support and advocate for the coursework with surrounding higher education institutions to teach about inclusiveness and equality, and equity in their instruction and curriculum. I will continue to be a voice and cheerleader for the inclusiveness of early childhood teachers as a career and profession.

Rebecca Krantz

Currently, I am a member of the Matan Institute’s cohort, where I am deepening my knowledge and skills in creating inclusive environments for children with special needs. This experience has reinforced my dedication to ensuring that early childhood programs are accessible and supportive for all learners. If selected to serve on the NCAEYC Board, I will contribute to making it a high-performing, inclusive, and equitable organization by promoting professional development opportunities that support culturally responsive and inclusive teaching, advocating for fair compensation and recognition of early childhood educators, and ensuring that policies and initiatives reflect the diverse needs of children and families across North Carolina. Additionally, I believe in fostering collaboration between early childhood and K-12 systems to bridge gaps in equity and strengthen the foundation for lifelong learning.

Margo Ford Crosby

I see myself contributing to NCAEYC’s commitment to being a high-performing, inclusive, and equitable organization by bringing a strong focus on workforce development, educator support, and advocacy for historically marginalized communities. My career has been dedicated to ensuring that all children, families, and educators—regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or background—have access to high-quality early learning experiences.

Alexis Shaw

I have been committed as a volunteer/working with children since high school, 2002. I’ve worked with children and families suffering from mental health issues and IDD since 2013. I’ve been a committed member in Cumberland County Partnership for Children Leadership Academy since 2020. I’ve served on a school boards PTF 2017-2019 as President, Co-President and Communications Coordinator. I’m currently a member of NC Early Education Coalition Leadership Academy, NCAEYC, and NC BCDI Member.

Diana Levine

As Executive Director for a Smart Start local partnership and NCAEYC, I have intimate knowledge about governance and non-profit financial management. Having been responsible for a 4-million-dollar annual allocation of state funds and 1 million (roughly) incoming from membership and conferences, I understand the importance of financial responsibility, prudence and management. I am now in my 6th year as an independent consultant with Reflective Teaching. Despite COVID, my business continued to offer services and maintained funding. I look forward to assisting NCAEYC in this area.

Ashley Parks

Throughout my career, I have been committed to fostering inclusivity and equity in early childhood education. As a director and mentor, I have implemented trauma-informed practices to support children and families from diverse backgrounds. I have also worked to ensure that early education environments reflect the needs of all learners, particularly those in marginalized communities. My experience leading reflective supervision and professional development initiatives has equipped me to promote inclusive practices within NCAEYC. By leveraging my background in leadership and curriculum development, I will help NCAEYC continue its mission as a high-performing, inclusive, and equitable organization.

Andrea Anderson

Completing a master’s degree and doctorate, I have invested in myself so that I can serve children and families to the best of my ability. I have been the administrator of a high-quality program for the last 14 years and have worked in CCR&R and a public school pre-K. I have learned to lead strongly and boldly for children and families.

Adam Holland

Adam Holland, PhD has served on the NCAEYC Board of Directors since 2017. He currently serves as the organization’s Treasurer. Dr. Holland is an Implementation Specialist at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Theresa Stacker

Theresa Stacker has served on the board since 2018 as the Local Leadership Representative. She currently is the Executive Director for the NC Early Childhood Foundation. Theresa has over 20 years of experience in North Carolina’s early childhood system. She has worked in the military childcare community, provided technical assistance and professional development to the childcare workforce and spent her most recent years in state government advising on early care and education. She holds multiple degrees in education and recently completed an Education Specialists (Ed.S.) degree from Walden University. She is a native of North Carolina’s crystal coast, but for the past few years her family has called Raleigh home. While not at work ensuring kids are on track to lifelong success, she enjoys hiking, listening to music, and baking.

Susan Butler-Staub

Susan Butler-Staub has served on the NCAEYC board of directors since 2015. She currently serves as past president, having also served as the VP of Policy and Advocacy. Susan has taught in many early childhood settings, teaching infants through preschoolers, worked for over a decade in Child Care Resource and Referral, and for over 5 years in the NC Community College System as an Early Childhood Instructor and Program Chair. Susan is specifically interested in supporting the well-being and compensation of the early childhood workforce. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, two children, and many pets.

Lisa Pullis

Lisa Campbell Pullis began her first term on the NCAEYC Board in the Fall of 2017 as the Northwest Regional Representative. She has also served as VP of Public Policy and Advocacy and is currently Co-President. Lisa’s motto is to “Be the person you want to have in your life,” and exemplifies this motto as the Assistant Director of the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children. After 27 years in the field of Early Childhood, Lisa deeply believes that all children should be exposed to equitable learning opportunities to thrive and reach their fullest potential. She also provides professional development and education consultation on justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging across the country. Lisa and her husband, Lee, have two daughters and two sons and recently became grandparents

Jon Williams

Jon Williams is the current VP of Public Policy and Advocacy with NCAEYC. He oversees the NC School Age Initiative and other education grant programs dealing with afterschool and Out-of-School Time. He is passionate about seeing early education professionals succeed and students thrive. Jon is a native to Western North Carolina, and lives in Hendersonville NC with his wife and two amazing children. When he’s not working, Jon loves to watch the Atlanta Braves and Carolina Panthers.

Dedee Ephraim

Dedee joined NCAEYC Board of Directors in 2016 as the South West Region Representative. She currently serves as Secretary. Dedee currently works for Child Care Resources Inc as the Statewide Technical Assistance & Professional Development Specialist for North Carolina’s CCR&R. She also enjoys her adjunct faculty work with Oakton College in Illinois. Her prior experiences include Head Start and preschool teacher, early childhood consultant, and program director. Dedee is passionate about early childhood compensation, trauma-responsive care in the field and professionalism. NCAEYC allows her the opportunity to engage in the mission of connecting practice, policy, and research. To refuel and refresh, Dedee finds solace in hiking, cooking, and live music with family and friends

Daniel Bates

Daniel has a professional career that began in the foothills of NC in the 1990s, and then expanded to the coast in the mid 2000’s. As a product of family chil care, and a former FFN provider, he has served as a lead teacher, assistant director, director, central office director for school age/early ed programs, & teaches occasionally with higher ed. He has worked with the NC CCR&R since 2010 as a regional specialist and currently as Statewide FCC Project Manager. Prior to his service on the board, he collaborated and presented for NCAEYC with the southeastern chapter. He has a A.A. from SCC, B.S. in ECE from UMO, and a M.Ed. in ELPA in EC from UNCW along with a certification in college teaching & learning. As a dedicated lifelong learner, he finds joy in traveling and immersing himself in both local and global cultures.

Amanda Blakely

Amanda Blakely has served on the Board of NCAEYC since 2021 and is currently the Vice President of Membership. She is the Regional Director of Operations at Childcare Network which includes over 80 locations in North Carolina with over 20 years of experience in the field. Ensuring that every child has a great start in life with high-quality learning environments and experiences is her mission. Amanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a mother of three wonderful children who enjoys spending time with family, reading, and traveling.

Shawna Daniels

Shawna Daniels is an Early Childhood educator and advocate who has over 20 years of experience, working with children ages birth – 12 years old and their families. In the last 10 years, Shawna has been coaching, mentoring, and supporting child care center teachers & staff in a variety of topics related to classroom management, child development, creating/updating family & employee handbooks; and professional development. She has also spent the last several years as an adjunct instructor in the ECE programs at two of North Carolina’s community colleges, teaching a variety of courses related to child development, program management, classroom management; health and safety practices, and behavior guidance. Currently, she is a PhD student at NC State University’s Adult & Lifelong Education (ALE) program with a research focus on the perspectives and self-efficacy of mentor teachers in a local ECE apprenticeship program. Shawna has served on the NCAEYC Board of Directors since 2017 with her most recent terms as Secretary and currently, as Co-President.

Mackenzie Ratledge

Mackenzie Ratledge joined the Board of Directors in April 2021 as the Northwestern Representative. She is currently an Assistant Professor at UNC Greensboro where she also serves as Director of the Child Care Education Program.

Her early work experiences include serving as a preschool teacher, non-profit Child Care Director, and a Licensing Consultant with the NC Division of Child Development & Early Education before coming to UNCG. She holds a M.Ed. in Leadership, Policy, & Advocacy in Early Education from UNC Wilmington and is a committed advocate for improving the quality of Early Education in NC through systemic workforce and policy development.

In her spare time, Mackenzie and her husband stay busy with their two children who are active in youth sports and scouting adventures.