Strengthen Cross-sector Leadership / Network Updates July 2024

Growing Leadership Capacity

ECAS Backbone

The ECAS backbone team continues to expand in order to provide leadership support to the early childhood network. In the first half of 2024, ECAS has added four new staff members:

• U‘ilani Corr-Yorkman is the new CCP (Community-Centered Partnerships) Lead. U‘i will design and implement processes for intentionally engaging families with young children and recentering funding and strategy decision making in rural communities on neighbor islands. U‘iʻs position is funded by the Stupski Foundation, Hawai‘i Leadership Forum and Early Childhood Action Strategy.

• Megan Yarberry has joined the ECAS backbone to support Community-based Early Childhood Continuum efforts including those currently underway and efforts in development. Meganʻs position is funded by The Stupski Foundation and Early Childhood Action Strategy.

• Peggy Mierzwa joins ECAS as the new public policy lead. Peggy will champion ECAS network policy priorities and Commit to Keiki. She will support partners in the design and implementation of policy priorities. Peggyʻs position is funded by Early Childhood Action Strategy.

• Keaka Mitchell joins the ECAS backbone team as the Maui County Wildfires Recovery Coordinator, working in close collaboration with the Maui County Early Childhood Resource Coordinator’s office. Keaka’s position is funded by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

Read more Updates on Systems Change Efforts within the network.