Gretchen Ames is managing the Gateway to Quality program at San Fransisco State University. It is a research-based project that evaluates the quality of licensed childcare in San Fransisco. Gretchen studied education and conflict resolution at Hampshire College and then spent many years working as a preschool teacher and center director in Boston.

Paula Bowie is the Director of Professional Services at the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) in Cambridge. She has been involved in program administration, management, planning, and supervision. Paula has a B.S. in Human Development and a M.S. in Leadership and Policy both from Wheelock College.

Corrine Corso is the Manager of Sales and Customer Service for the Child Care Circuit in Lawrence. She is also the coordinator of a Latino Grandparents as Parents Network. She received a BA in economics from Smith College and has done graduate work at UMass Lowell.

Costanza Eggers-Piérola is a Senior Research and Development Associate at the Education Development Center. She has 23 years of experience in the education field, working on efforts that directly impact bilingual and minority children, their families, and communities. As an educator, developer, and researcher, she has provided leadership and direction to a range of projects designed to promote high-quality educational services to all children. Costanza has a doctorate in Education from Harvard University.

Hanna Gebretensae is the Division Chair of the Early Childhood Program at Urbam College of Boston. She is also involved in many organizations including the Anti-Defamation League of Boston, Action for Boston Community Development, Inc, and the Boston Intner-City Directors Network. She has a BA in Early Childhood from Lesley University and a Master’s in Educational Planning and Policy from Harvard University.

Maria Paulino is the owner, coordinator and a teacher at Busy Bees Preschool in Fitchburg. Maria is a strong community activist, organizing parents, providing translation services when needed for community members and advocating on behalf of her students. She is on the Early Education Advisory Council of Fitchburg and the Director's Subcommittee of Fitchburg. She has an associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Mount Wachusett Community College.

Jeri Robinson is the Vice President of Early Childhood and Family Learning at the Boston Children's Museum and has worked there since 1973. Through the years she has led numerous workshops, taught courses, developed kits and other curriculum materials for parents and early educators and has worked as an advocate for families with young children and audiences of color. She is the founder of the Boston Cultural Collaborative for Early Learning and co-founder of both
Families First- parenting programs and “Countdown to Kindergarten, Boston. Jeri holds both BS and MS degrees from Wheelock College, Boston.

Gail Wilson-Giarratano is the Executive DIrector of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western, MA. She has over 12 years of leadership experience in nonprofit management and program administration. Gail has a BA in education and artfrom Winthrop College and a MS in leadership and policy from Wheelock College.