Fellows
Meet our empowered global network of leaders making the world a better place for infants and toddlers.
The ZERO TO THREE Fellowship is an intense 18-month program that changes lives. Fellows learn as much from each other as they do from the curriculum.
ZERO TO THREE Fellows have the expertise, skills, passion, and commitment to make the world a better place for infants and toddlers.
We offer the premier leadership experience committed to supporting the next generation of early childhood leaders in embracing a courageous, just, and collaborative approach to our shared work.
Our Fellows are diverse professionals across disciplines and sectors who are “change agents” – transforming programs, systems, and policies that impact the lives of young children and their families. Over the 40-year history of the fellowship, more than 300 national and international leaders are alumni of this esteemed network and continue to impact the lives of babies and young children in profound ways. Our alumni maintain lifetime relationships with other Fellows and ZERO TO THREE Board members and Staff through the Academy of ZERO TO THREE Fellows.
My time in the fellowship was filled with growth, belonging, and inspiration. It could not have come at a better time in my career, as I was developing a vision for my work that I was passionate about, honing my skills and knowledge, and working towards realizing that vision. The relationships I formed and the areas of work I learned about have vastly expanded my reach and my ability to think more comprehensively about how to support young children and their families.
Cultivating leaders in early childhood for four decades and counting
The ZERO TO THREE Fellowship is an intense 18-month program that changes lives. Fellows learn as much from each other as they do from the curriculum.
2026-2028 Fellowship Class
Ashley Adams
Attending Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Boston Children’s Hospital
Aika Aluc
PhD Candidate, Lehigh University - College of Health
Peter Baras
Project Director, Vumgbala Child Development Center
Anicia Battles
Clinician, Infinity Consultation Group; Independent Consultant
Munirah Fulani
Registered Nurse/Pediatric Care Consultant, Maxim Healthcare Services
Keren Gunawan
Early Childhood & Special Education Systems Specialist/ Founder, Fonik Asyik, Indonesia
Ruth Esther Hernández
Senior Program Analyst, Center for the Study of Social Policy
Ricky Holder
Senior Program Associate, Think of Us
Jayley Janssen
Director of Research and Evaluation, Indigo Cultural Center
Miranda McNeal
Director, Early Childhood and Prevention Services, CommQuest Services Inc.
Leticia Mejia
Clinician, Victor Community Support Services
Suma Metla
Pediatric Physical Therapist/Founder, Three Little Ducks
Samantha Peyton
Senior Policy and Program Officer, Low Income Investment Fund
Tiffany Salter
Assistant Director, Child First, Coastal Horizons Center
Allison Smith
Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Natan Vega Potler
Attending Psychiatrist and Medical Director, Child and Family Services, Department of Mental Health, Woodhull Hospital
Clare Viglione
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UC San Diego, Director, GROW.V.BABY Practice-Based Research Network, Vital Village Networks
Melissa Villarreal
Clinical Psychologist, Neurodesarrollo Quito
Ashley R. Watts
Lecturer in Early Childhood Education, University of Houston-Downtown Belonging Leadership Team Lead, Center for Coaching Strategies
Fatima Youssef
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Dubai Health, Vice President, Emirates Mental Health Society
A special message about the power of the Fellowship community from our dear friend, ZERO TO THREE Fellow, and baby champion Yiğit Aksakoğlu.
Support the Academy of Fellows
Your contribution will help us promote collaborations and partnerships, sustain relationships, support the fellowship program and advance the early childhood field.
