Leadership Events

Upcoming Events

Dine & Discuss

The Future of NYC's Early Childhood Agenda: Implications for Leadership

The Early Childhood Leadership Initiative is proud to present the next event in our Dine and Discuss Series. Each session focuses on a different aspect of leadership in Early Childhood Education and features a moderated panel discussion with a diverse group of professionals. Join us for an evening with leaders from the NYC Department of Education, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Administration for Children's Services. Each city agency will share their vision and mission for early childhood education and its leadership.

Tuesday, October 23rd 2018 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

New York, NY

The Early Childhood Leadership Initiative is proud to present the next event in our Dine and Discuss Series. Each session focuses on a different aspect of leadership in Early Childhood Education and features a moderated panel discussion with a diverse group of professionals. Join us for an evening with leaders from the NYC Department of Education, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Administration for Children's Services. Each city agency will share their vision and mission for early childhood education and its leadership.

Past Events

Leadership Speaker Series

John King: The Equity Imperative in Early Childhood Education

The NYC Early Childhood Leadership Initiative is proud to present the 2018-19 Leadership Speaker Series' Fall event.

John King
President and CEO
Education Trust
(Past United States Secretary of Education)

Wednesday, September 26th 2018 | 8:30am - 10:00am

Manhattan, NY

The NYC Early Childhood Leadership Initiative is proud to present the 2018-19 Leadership Speaker Series' Fall event.

John King
President and CEO
Education Trust
(Past United States Secretary of Education)
Racial equity and social justice are integral to early childhood education and re-occurring themes for the Institute and its Leadership Initiative. Dr. King will energize the audience with his inspirational take on the power of early childhood education and the promise of equity and access to excellence.

Dine and Discuss

Transformation in the Context of Transition

The Early Childhood Leadership Initiative is proud to present the next event in our Dine and Discuss Series. Join us for an evening thinking about "Transformation in the Context of Transition" as our Dine and Discuss panel will speak to the courage and grace it takes to assess our careers, face change and transform our lives.

Wednesday, June 27th, 2018 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

CUNY School of Professional Studies
119 W 31st Street
New York, NY 10001

The Early Childhood Leadership Initiative is proud to present the next event in our Dine and Discuss Series. Each session focuses on a different aspect of leadership in Early Childhood Education and features a moderated panel discussion with a diverse group of professionals. Join us for an evening thinking about "Transformation in the Context of Transition."

As Early Childhood Professionals we spend a good deal of time supporting children's transitions as part of their developmental growth. How do we consider transitions in our own professional lives? Our Dine and Discuss panel will speak to the courage and grace it takes to assess our careers, face change and transform our lives.

  • Kara Ahmed, Principal of LYFE Programs at the NYC Department of Education
  • Tonia M. Spence, Senior Director of Early Childhood Services at The Jewish Board
  • Helen Frazier, of Director of Early Childhood at the NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
  • Serene Stevens, Lead Coach of the Leadership Initiative at the NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
  • Wanda Nedderman, Family Child Care Provider at Sanctuary Family Day Care
  • Hope Lesane, (Moderator) Director of Early Childhood Initiatives at Teach for America New York

Wednesday, June 27, 2018 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
CUNY School of Professional Studies
119 W 31st Street
New York, NY 10001


Leadership Speaker Series with Ann McClain Terrell, April 30th

Mon, April 30
8:30 - 10:00am
Ann McClain Terrell

Executive Director, Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation
Author of: Graceful Leadership in Early Childhood Education

Monday, April 30th, 8:30-10:00am
CUNY Graduate Center
365 5th Avenue, Skylight Room
New York, NY 10016


Dine and Discuss, February 13th

Tues, February 13
6:00 - 8:00pm
Pathways to Leadership

This session features local early childhood leaders speaking about their own pathway to leadership. Our distinguished panel will include:

  • Meghan Dunn, Riverdale Avenue Community School
  • Thelma Dye, Northside Center for Child Development
  • Luz Peña, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center
  • Jenna Pettinicchi, FirstStepNYC, SCO Family of Services

Tuesday, February 13, 2018 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Teach for America - NY
25 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10004


Leadership Speaker Series with Anne Douglass, January 24th

Wed, January 24
8:30 - 10am
Anne Douglass

Anne Douglass, Ph.D., is Associate Professor and Executive Director at the Institute for Early Education Leadership and Innovation at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Dr. Douglass is an expert on leadership, quality improvement, professional development and how to cultivate talented and diverse leadership from within the early care and education workforce. She is the author of a new book entitled Leading for Change in Early Care and Education: Cultivating Leadership from Within.

Wednesday, January 24th, 8:30-10:00am
CUNY Graduate Center
365 5th Avenue, Skylight Room
New York, NY 10016