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Senior Leadership

Our ZERO TO THREE leadership team takes a unique multidisciplinary approach to child development.

They bring together the perspectives of many fields, and their expertise is rooted in all domains of development—social, emotional, intellectual, language, and physical. The ZERO TO THREE management team and Board of Directors work together to promote children’s overall health and well-being in the context of family and culture.

Executive Leadership Team

Matthew Melmed, Executive Director

Matthew Melmed

Executive Director

Ernestine Benedict, Chief Communications Officer

Ernestine Benedict

Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

Jennifer Boss

Jennifer Boss

Chief of Staff

Araceli Jacobs Lead Impact Officer headshot

Araceli Jacobs

Lead Impact Officer

Tracy Crudup, Chief Human Resources Officer

Tracy Crudup

Chief Human Resources Officer

Janice Im, Chief Program Officer

Janice Im

Chief Program Officer

Pia Valdivia, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

Pia Valdivia

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

Candace Winkler, Chief Development and Strategy Officer

Candace Winkler

Chief Development and Strategy Officer

Senior Staff Leadership

Darneshia Allen

Darneshia Allen

Manager, Training and Technical Assistance Integration, Safe Babies

Lynette Aytch Headshot

Lynette Aytch

Director of the Leadership Development Institute

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Raena Akin-Deko

Director of Impact, HealthySteps

Melissa Barron Headshot

Melissa Baron

Director of Quality, HealthySteps

Rahil D. Briggs Headshot

Rahil D. Briggs

National Director, HealthySteps

Michelle Brown_Head Shot_11.7.2023

Michelle Brown

Senior Director of Training, National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning (NCECDTL)

Robert Clark

Robert Clark

Director, Resource and Training Development, Safe Babies
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Julie Cohen

Associate Director, Policy Center

Patricia Cole

Patricia A. Cole

Senior Director of Federal Policy, Policy Center

Jamie Colvard

Jamie Colvard

Director of State Policy

Wallace Daniels

Wallace Daniels

Assistant Director, Human Resources

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Madeline Daniels Benderev

Director, Digital Strategy

Gina Davis

Gina Davis

Associate Director, Media & PR

Lauren Donovan Headshot

Lauren Donovan

Director, Strategic Initiatives

Laila Fritz

Laila Fritz

Product Director of Technology, HealthySteps

Maria Gehl

Maria Gehl

Director, Practice and Field Operations, Safe Babies

Jenifer Goldman Fraser

Jenifer Goldman Fraser

Director, Research and Evaluation, Safe Babies

Kristen Greene Headshot

Kristen Greene

Director, Coordinating Child Care and Part C, Policy Center

Noelle Hause

Noelle Hause

Senior PD Manager, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Professional Innovations

Janie-HuddlestonCrop

Janie Huddleston

National Director, Safe Babies and Early Childhood Systems

Sarah LeMoine

Sarah LeMoine

Senior Director, Professional Innovations

Johanna Lister Headshot

Johanna Lister

Director of Policy, HealthySteps

Katrina Macasaet Headshot

Katrina Macasaet

Senior PD Manager, Professional Innovations

Eme Martin

Eme Martin

Lead Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer

A headshot of Susan McCullough

Susan McCullough

Individual Philanthropy Director

Siobhan Mueller Headshot

Siobhan Mueller

Director of Communications and Marketing

Kathleen Mulrooney

Kathleen Mulrooney

Director, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Strategy-Program

Christina Nigrelli Headshot

Christina Nigrelli

Senior Director of Programs

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Rebecca Parlakian

Senior Director of Programs

Amy Pirretti Headshot

Amy Pirretti

National Director, National Center on Early Childhood, Development, Teaching, and Learning

Julia Richards Headshot

Julia Richards

Senior Director, Professional Innovations

Ricks_Alice

Alice Ricks

Director of Strategic Operations, HealthySteps

Heather Schmidt

Heather Schmidt

Assistant Project Director, Operations, Safe Babies
Torey Silloway

Torey Silloway

Director, Policy and Financing, Safe Babies

elizabeh sims

Elizabeth Sims

National Client Partner

Luisa Soaterna-Castañeda

Luisa Soaterna-Castañeda

Director, Program Management and Technology, National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching and Learning (NCECDTL)

Christy Stanton Headshot

Christy Stanton

Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, Policy Center

Dawn Stehle

Dawn Stehle

Acting Director, Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems (ECDHS): Evidence to Impact Center

Jennifer Tracey Headshot

Jennifer Tracey

Senior Director, Growth and Sustainability, HealthySteps

Nicole Tullis

Nicole Tullis

Director of Development, HealthySteps

Lindsay Usry

Lindsay Usry

Director, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Strategy-Policy

Lisa M. Wilson, M.Ed.

Lisa M. Wilson, M.Ed.

Director of Equity & Outreach, National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning (NCECDTL)

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Do what you love and love what you do. We offer competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, and incredible coworkers.