Megan Garretson is a tenacious advocate, educator, and leader deeply committed to advancing early childhood education in Louisiana. She is the visionary and owner of Young Scholars Academy and Young Scholars Enrichment in Baton Rouge, bringing over 15 years of experience in the field. As a parent and trusted voice in early childhood systems, Megan serves on multiple founding and advisory boards and is known for showing up—at the classroom, community, and state levels—to champion children, families, and the early childhood workforce across Louisiana.

Dr. Willie Louviere is an educator, encourager, and advocate who believes that every child—no matter where they are from—deserves to feel seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. Her journey in education began over 26 years ago in a small, rural classroom, and while the settings and titles have changed, her heart for children and families has remained steadfast. She has spent her career teaching, leading, and learning, most recently directing statewide programs at LSU that focused on early childhood initiatives and rural education. 

Dr. Willie enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs, Louise and Leila Rae, and serving as a children's ministry leader in her church. She is a proud Louisianan who still believes in front porch conversations, showing up for one another, and finding joy in the little things.

Racine Bridges is a dedicated professional with a passion for early childhood education. She holds the position of Early Childhood Education Coordinator for the Child Care Resource and Referral at the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in Sociology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe; Racine brings a deep understanding of child development and social dynamics to her role.

One of Northwestern State’s avid supporters, Faith has been a part of the demon family for 29 years. As a three-year-old, she started her NSU journey at the Marie Shaw Dunn Child Development Center and then graduated in 2017 and again in 2019 with a bachelor's and master’s in early childhood. During her studies in her master’s degree program, she worked as a reading interventionist at a low-performing school in Natchitoches Parish with the challenge of bridging the gap for children in kindergarten. Faith now leads the NSU Marie Shaw Dunn Child Development Center as the director and four-year-old teacher and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Adult Learning and Development to better serve her university, community, and state.

Kisha Davis is a seasoned early childhood education leader dedicated to strengthening outcomes for young children and the educators who serve them. With more than twenty years of experience across Head Start programs in New Orleans, she brings a powerful blend of strategic vision, instructional expertise, and compassionate leadership.

As an Education Manager, Kisha guides program quality, supports teacher growth, and champions equitable, developmentally responsive practices across multiple centers. Her career—from classroom teacher to center supervisor to project manager—reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Known for her clarity, warmth, and ability to bring teams together, Kisha creates environments where educators feel supported, families feel valued, and children thrive.

Niki Da’Jon, originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, is a formidable force in the realm of early childhood education and business administration. A proud alumna of Loyola University New Orleans and the University of New Orleans, her academic prowess is matched only by her passion for training, development, and the empowerment of women of color and underserved populations. Currently, Niki stands as the founder of Career Training Group, and owner of KSL Consulting Firm where she innovatively consults with Early Childcare providers to refine their practices. With extensive educational certifications, she’s cemented her position as a trusted figure in Early Education. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, she is deeply committed to enhancing educational standards and practices. Her diverse professional skills and active community involvement mark her as a leader in both education and business, driving quality and innovation forward.

Desiree Collins is a dedicated advocate for early childhood development. With a diverse background in direct care, program administration, and training, she empowers communities through strong partnerships and evidence-based practices. Her passion drives a positive impact on young children and families.

Mary Beth Nicholson is an education leader with extensive experience in curriculum design, teacher professional learning, and program evaluation. Currently serving as an Account Executive for Carnegie Learning, her work revolves around supporting districts nationwide in implementing high quality curriculum and professional development.  She has worked across early childhood, elementary, higher education, and district-level contexts, supporting educators and leaders in improving instructional quality and student achievement. She holds a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on assessment design and program evaluation and is passionate about advancing equitable, high-quality early learning opportunities across Louisiana. 

My name is Kristen Nobles. I recently joined LAAEYC, as I have been a member of CCAL for 4 years. I am a LELA graduate of the 3rd cohort, and I have obtained my masters in Psychology from the University of Monroe and doctorate in Special Education from NOVA Southeastern in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I have been working for Sprinkles Early Learning since 2019, but I have over 20 years experience in working with children. Working in Louisiana in the field of education has opened my eyes to so many areas that need help. Children are not receiving adequate preparatory services for school readiness and our childcare centers are struggling to provide these quality services, as our funding and enrollment continues to decrease.