Leadership

Leadership Team

People will always be our greatest asset at Jumpstart. With the passion, dedication and experience of our Leadership Team, we’ve got what it takes to prepare every child to succeed. Read on to learn more about the outstanding individuals leading the way at Jumpstart.

Naila Bolus
Naila Bolus
CEO
Naila Bolus is the Chief Executive Officer of Jumpstart, a national early education organization that.
Jennifer Templeman
Jennifer Templeman
President & Chief Operating Officer
Jennifer Templeman, President & Chief Operating Officer, joined Jumpstart in 2010 and brought 20 years.
Zuhirah Khaldun-Diarra
Zuhirah Khaldun-Diarra
Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Brand
Zuhirah is a strategic communications leader with experience at national and international nonprofit and mission-driven.
Denise Nelson
Denise Nelson
Vice President, Development
Denise worked at Accion Opportunity Fund (AOF) a nonprofit and microlender working to create an.
Karina Kidder
Karina Kidder
Vice President of Operations
Karina Kidder, Vice President of Program Operations, joined Jumpstart in 2003 and has over 18.
Jessica Lazzara
Jessica Lazzara
Vice President of Education & Research
Jess joined the staff at Jumpstart in 2000, but her Jumpstart journey began prior to.
Jamella Lee
Jamella Lee
Chief People Officer
Jamella deeply believes in Jumpstart’s vision that “every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to.
Kate Warren Barnes
Kate Warren Barnes
Vice President of Policy and Government Relations
Kate spearheads Jumpstart’s policy advocacy activities. Kate and the policy and government affairs (PGR) team,.
Ashley C. Williams
Ashley C. Williams
Vice President of Programs
Ashley C. Williams, Ed.D. is the Vice President of Programs where she leads the organization’s.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council

Jumpstart is committed to creating an environment that nurtures unique perspectives, facilitates authentic dialogue and honors the identities of its community members to enhance our ability to close the kindergarten readiness gap. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council brings together members from across the network for reflection, learning, and project planning. Learn more about our DEI work here.

  • Beth Bauman, Director, National Program
  • Keuna Cho, Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation
  • Eshe Collins, Director of Affiliate Programming
  • Semaj Garbutt, Site Manager, California State University – Los Angeles
  • Christopher Hernandez, Director of Corporate Programming (Council Co-Lead)
  • Candice Jordan, Director of Development
  • Jamella Lee, VP of People and Culture, (Council Co-Lead and Leadership Team DEI Workgroup member)
  • Jessie Levit-Shore, Senior Development Writer
  • Maria Monarrez, Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Programming
  • Meghan Robinson, Site Manager, University of Washington
  • Brandon Rothschild, Strategy Manager, CT and RI
  • Jennifer Templeman, Chief Operating Officer

National Board of Directors

Jumpstart’s National Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from many backgrounds with one thing in common: a desire for every child to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed. Their passion leads strategy, guides governance, and galvanizes support for our organization.

Kim L. Mitchell
Kim L. Mitchell, Chair
Vice President, Program Development & Operations, NPower
Kim Mitchell, VP of Program Development and Operations is responsible for leading NPower’s programmatic direction.
Lorie E. Almon
Lorie E. Almon
Co-Managing Partner, Seyfarth Shaw Attorneys, LLP
Lorie Almon is a recognized leader in the field of complex employment litigation. Both Chambers.
Milena Alberti-Perez
Milena Alberti-Perez
Independent Board Director and CFO
Milena Alberti-Perez is a seasoned financial, media and technology executive with over 20 years of.
Delia Arellano-Weddleton, MSW
Delia Arellano-Weddleton, MSW
Director of Engagement and Partnerships, Nellie Mae Education Foundation
As Director of Engagement and Partnerships at the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Delia is a.
Nigel Barker
Nigel Barker
Fashion Photographer, Author, Filmmaker
Nigel Barker is an internationally renowned photographer who opened his New York studio in 1996. He.
Ian Blasco
Ian Blasco
Two Sigma Impact, Partner
Ian is a Partner at Two Sigma Impact. Ian comes to Two Sigma from Riverside.
James Cole, Jr.
James Cole, Jr.
Chairman and CEO, Jasco Group, LLC
James Cole, Jr. is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Jasco Group, a.
Thomas G. Connolly
Thomas G. Connolly
Managing Director and Partner, Goldman Sachs
Tom is the global head of the Principal Debt Group within the Merchant Banking Division..
Tamara Jones Dunn, MD
Tamara Jones Dunn, MD
Physician, Stanford Hospital & Palo Alto Veterans Hospital
Tamara's involvement in early childhood education feels like a continuation of her late mother's work.
David Humphrey
David Humphrey
Managing Director, Bain Capital
Mr. Humphrey is a Managing Director, Private Equity at Bain Capital in Boston, Massachusetts, focusing.
Greg Johnson
Greg Johnson
Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, Franklin Resources, Inc.
Greg Johnson is chairman of the board and director of Franklin Resources, Inc., and serves.
Olana Khan
Olana Khan
Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategy, Phillips Brooks School
Olana Khan is currently the Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategy at Phillips.
Priya Krishnan
Priya Krishnan
Chief Digital and Transformation Officer at Bright Horizons
Priya Krishnan is the Chief Digital and Transformation Officer at Bright Horizons. Prior to joining.
Michael H. Levine, PhD
Michael H. Levine, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, Learning and Impact | Noggin at Nickelodeon
Michael H. Levine, Ph.D. is Senior Vice President, Learning and Impact, for Noggin, Nickelodeon’s online.
Jordan Meranus
Jordan Meranus
CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevation
Jordan Meranus is an entrepreneur who has helped start and lead a number of high-impact.
Jennifer K. Marrus
Jennifer K. Marrus
Board Member and Advisor
Jennifer Marrus has a wealth of experience in marketing and strategic problem solving in the.
Arthur Mills IV
Arthur Mills IV
Chief Operating Officer, New Teacher Center
Arthur Mills IV joined the national not-for-profit New Teacher Center in 2019 as Chief Operations.
Daryl Mintz
Daryl Mintz
Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, Robin Hood Foundation
As Robin Hood’s CFAO, Daryl is responsible for the day-to-day strategic and managerial leadership of.
Dr. Thomas A. Parham
Dr. Thomas A. Parham
President, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Thomas A. Parham, Ph.D. is a family man who resides in the Southern California area.
Mark Pinho
Mark Pinho
Partner, Oak Hill Capital
Mark Pinho is a partner at Oak Hill Capital, where he leads the firm’s Consumer.
Mark Polebaum
Mark Polebaum
General Counsel, MFS Investment Management (retired)
Mark Polebaum recently retired from MFS Investment Management, a global asset manager, where he served.
Chris Stadler
Chris Stadler
Managing Partner, CVC Capital Partners
Christopher Stadler joined CVC Capital Partners as a Managing Partner in 2007, based in New.

National Early Education Council

Our National Early Education Council (NEEC) is a select group of scholars, leaders, and change-makers who inform the development of our programs to create real and lasting change in children’s lives.

Dale Atkins, PhD
Dale Atkins, PhD
Author and Psychologist
Dale V. Atkins, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who has more than forty years of.
W. Steven Barnett, PhD
W. Steven Barnett, PhD
Board of Governors Professor and Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research, Rutgers University
W. Steven Barnett is a Board of Governors Professor and Director of the National Institute.
Sherry M. Cleary
Sherry M. Cleary
University Dean of Early Childhood Initiatives at the City University of New York & Executive Director of the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
Sherry M. Cleary is the University Dean of Early Childhood Initiatives at the City University.
Douglas Clements, PhD
Douglas Clements, PhD
Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning & Professor, University of Denver
Douglas Clements is the Kennedy Endowed Chair in Early Childhood Learning and a Professor at.
Molly F. Collins, EdD
Molly F. Collins, EdD
Department of Teaching and Learning, Vanderbilt University
Molly F. Collins is a faculty member in the Department of Teaching and Learning at.
Stephanie Curenton
Stephanie M. Curenton, PhD
Tenured Associate Professor at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development; Director of the Center for the Ecology of Early Childhood Development
Stephanie M. Curenton, PhD, is a tenured associate professor at BU Wheelock College of Education &.
Linda M. Espinosa, PhD
Linda M. Espinosa, PhD
Author and Consultant; Professor Emeritus, University of Missouri-Columbia
Dr. Linda M. Espinosa, is Professor Emeritus of Early Childhood Education at the University of.
Walter S. Gilliam, PhD
Walter S. Gilliam, PhD
Executive Director, Buffett Early Childhood Institute
Walter S. Gilliam began serving as the executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.
Roberta Golinkoff, PhD
Roberta Golinkoff, PhD
H. Rodney Sharp Professor, School of Education, University of Delaware
Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D., Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Professor of Education, Psychology, and Linguistics and.
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD
Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Faculty Fellow, Department of Psychology, Temple University
Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek is the Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Faculty Fellow in the Department of Psychology.
Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph.D
Iheoma U. Iruka, PhD
Research Professor, Department of Public Policy Fellow, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) Founding Director, Equity Research Action Coalition at FPG (the Coalition) The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph.D., is a Research Professor in the Department of Public Policy, a.
Sharon Lynn Kagan, EdD
Sharon Lynn Kagan, EdD
Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Early Childhood Education and Family Policy; Co-Director, National Center for Children & Families, Teachers College, Columbia University
Sharon Lynn Kagan is the Virginia and Leonard Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family.
Christopher J. Lonigan, PhD
Christopher J. Lonigan, PhD
Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Psychology, Florida State University; Associate Director, Florida Center for Reading Research
Christopher J. Lonigan is a Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology and an associate director of.
Mariela M. Páez, EdD
Mariela M. Páez, EdD
Associate Professor, The Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch School of Education, Boston College
Dr. Mariela Paez is Associate Professor of Early Childhood. She has a doctorate in Human.
Robert C. Pianta, PhD
Robert C. Pianta, PhD
Dean, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia
Robert Pianta, PhD, is Dean of the Curry School of Education, Novartis US Foundation Professor.
Arthur J. Rolnick, PhD
Arthur J. Rolnick, PhD
Senior Fellow and Co-Director, Human Capital Research Collaborative; Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
Arthur J. Rolnick is a Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Human Capital Research Collaborative.
Shirley Sagawa
Shirley Sagawa
AmeriCorps Board of Directors
Shirley Sagawa was nominated to the AmeriCorps Board of Directors by President Biden in January.

Local Advisory Boards

Across the country, we rely on the support of local board members who are fierce advocates for Jumpstart, passionate about early education, and who live in the areas where Jumpstart’s program is implemented. Our local boards help us spread the word about the work we’re doing by encouraging local companies to get involved, inviting friends and families to join our mission, and much more.

New England Advisory Board

Ian Blasco, Co-Chair | Partner, Two Sigma Impact
Mark Polebaum, Co-Chair | General Counsel, MFS Investment Management (Retired)
Jesse DePatsy | Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, The TJX Companies, Inc.
Grier Tumas Dienstag | Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company
Eric Greenberg | Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Hiren V. Mankodi | Managing Director, Charlesbank Capital Partners
Kelsey Dellovo Partner, Baretz+Brunelle
Vikram Savkar | Vice President & General Manager, Medicine Segment; Health Learning, Research & Practice, Wolters Kluwer
Rebecca Schechter | CEO, Optum Behavioral Health

Tri-State Advisory Board

Milena Alberti-Perez, Co-Chair CFO, Getty Images
Mark Pinho, Co-Chair | Partner, Oak Hill Capital
Lorie Almon | Co-Managing Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Sharyar Aziz | Managing Director, UBS
April Whatley Bedford | Dean, School of Education, Brooklyn College
Mark Flannery | Sector Executive, Point72
Alice Kim | Managing Partner, DigiConsult
Kellie Lerner |  Partner, Robins, Kaplan LLP
Jennifer K. Marrus Fundraising and Board Development Consultant
Cynthia Mitchell | Partner, Seyfarth Shaw
Kim Mitchell | Vice President, Program Development & Operations, NPower
Alan Riffkin
Brian Rivel | President, Rivel Research Group
Megan Sheetz
Erica Swainson | Corporate Counsel, Salesforce

Atlanta Advisory Board

Kimberlynn B. Davis, PhD, Co-ChairPartner, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP
Aimee Turner, Co-ChairProject Engineer, Croy Engineering, LLC
Gerard J. Dash  | Global Technology Market / Board & CEO Services, Korn Ferry
Emily Estes | Development Associate, Integral Group
Marsha Francis, PhDProgram Manager, First STEP, Fulton Country School District
Megan MaxwellSenior Associate, Korn Ferry
Arthur MillsChief Operating Officer, New Teacher Center
Nina SchwartzFounder, Student Leadership Development Program
Na’Tasha Webb-Prather | Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Community Engagement, University of Cincinnati, College of Law

Northern California Local Advisory Board

Tamara Dunn, MD, Chair | Physician, Stanford Hospital and Palo Alto Veterans Hospital
Ryan Buckham | Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
Kevin Colombo | Senior Vice President, Colliers
Emily Lopez | Community Volunteer
Matthew Pielert | Managing Director, Wells Fargo
Thomas W. Pulley | Managing Director, Fortress
Witek Sobanski | Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Southern California Advisory Board

Elizabeth Marcellino, Co-Chair | Writer & Journalist, City News Service
Elizabeth Nguyen, Co-Chair |  SVP, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Larissa Fleming |  Senior Customer Engagement Executive, SAP SuccessFactors
Amanda Groves |  Partner, PLUS Capital
Whit Hayslip |  Consultant, The David & Lucile Packard Foundation
Cassandra Jolton
Gerard Padilla |  CPA, Investment Research, Capital Group
Becca Patton |  Director Early Care and Education, First 5 LA

For additional information relevant to local Jumpstart geographies, please visit the following pages: Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Northern California and Southern California.

Together, we can help all children build the key language and literacy skills they need to take on the world.

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