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Washington, DC — ZERO TO THREE, the country’s leading nonprofit working to ensure all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, announced today that Renée Boynton-Jarrett, M.D., Sc.D., Adrián A. Pedroza, and Ross Thompson, Ph.D. have joined its Board of Directors.
“These three exceptional leaders embody the values at the heart of ZERO TO THREE’s mission,” said Walter Gilliam, Ph.D., president of ZERO TO THREE’s Board of Directors. “Their work, rooted in community, belonging and science, has transformed the ways families and systems nurture babies and toddlers. We are honored to welcome them and inspired by the leadership they bring to advancing our shared vision.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Renée, Adrián and Ross, three visionary leaders who share our deep belief that every baby deserves the strongest possible start,” said Matthew Melmed, executive director of ZERO TO THREE. “Their leadership strengthens our collective capacity to turn research into action, elevate family voices, and champion policies that put babies and families first.”
Dr. Renée Boynton-Jarrett is a pediatrician, social epidemiologist and associate professor at Boston University School of Medicine. She is the founding director of Vital Village Networks, a national model for trauma-informed, community-driven approaches to child well-being and equity. Her work focuses on early life adversities and the ways community and family environments shape long-term health.
“ZERO TO THREE’s work has always recognized that equity and connection are at the core of healthy child development,” said Dr. Boynton-Jarrett. “I’m proud to join the Board to help strengthen community-driven approaches that give every family the power to build safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.”
Adrián A. Pedroza, MBA, serves as the National Executive Director of AP-OD (Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors), the first evidence-based, comprehensive parent leadership program originally designed by and for Latino families with children ages 0–5 and adopted by diverse communities across the country. A former member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, he has spent more than two decades advancing community-driven approaches to early childhood education and opportunity.
“Parents are children’s first teachers and advocates, and when families have the tools and respect they deserve, whole communities thrive,” Pedroza said. “I’m honored to help advance ZERO TO THREE’s commitment to elevating the leadership of families, especially those historically left out of decision-making, to shape the systems that serve their children.”
Dr. Ross Thompson is distinguished professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California, Davis, where he led the Social & Emotional Development Lab. A renowned expert on early developmental science and public policy, he is also a former president of ZERO TO THREE’s Board of Directors and has served on landmark National Academies committees on early childhood development.
“ZERO TO THREE has long led the way in translating science into action for babies and families,” Dr. Thompson said. “I’m honored to help continue that work, ensuring that what we know from research truly shapes how society supports the earliest years of life.”
