The Early Childhood Funders Collaborative (ECFC) is excited to welcome four new members to the ECFC Steering Committee (2026–2028). Each brings deep experience, thoughtful leadership, and a strong commitment to advancing equity-centered systems change for young children, families, and the early childhood field.
Their perspectives highlight the expertise and values they bring to ECFC as we work together to strengthen philanthropy’s role, support families, and advance meaningful solutions in early childhood.
Below, each shares why ECFC’s work and this moment matter to them.
Director of School Readiness
Gary Community Ventures
“ECFC plays a critical role in convening peer learning, surfacing cross-cutting strategies, and shaping field-level priorities. In this moment, ECFC’s leadership can help ensure that philanthropy remains both responsive and bold. I am eager to support the organization as it continues to lead and adapt to the current federal and state landscape.”
“At Gary Community Ventures, we push the boundaries of traditional philanthropy—aligning mission, capital, and systems change to tackle complex challenges through grantmaking, policy, advocacy, and impact investing.”
Senior Director, Strategic Engagement and Initiatives, Casey Family Programs
“It is important to me that ECFC has articulated core values around diversity and inclusion and has consistently prioritized equity—in its materials, strategies, and organizational culture.”
“I believe I can bring a perspective that reflects Casey Family Programs’ range of experiences as an operating foundation, including inside and outside strategies across policy, programmatic, and systems-change efforts.”
Senior Program Officer
Pritzker Children’s Initiative
“I am a true believer in the mission. The power of philanthropy is extraordinary—especially when aligned around shared principles and a vision for more equitable systems that support young children and their families.”
“I feel a responsibility to uplift and mentor new generations of leaders. ECFC is a tremendous platform for that work, particularly during a very hard moment for our field.”
Project Director
Early Childhood Funders Alliance of Southwestern Pennsylvania
“I believe philanthropy can be a powerful driver of equity and innovation in early childhood, and that this is a critical moment for our field.”
“I am prepared to bring lessons from regional alliance-building to the national stage, lift up innovative models, and ensure provider and family voices remain central to funding strategies.”
We look forward to the leadership, insight, and partnership these Steering Committee members will bring as ECFC continues to support philanthropy’s role in advancing equitable, sustainable systems for young children and families.