Time is running out and space is extremely limited for the 10th annual Early Educators Leadership Conference (EELC) on October 8-11, 2025, in sunny Orlando. The EELC provides you with a chance to connect with colleagues and learn from leaders, as you join changemakers from across the early childhood education field.
You can also look forward to your stay at the beautiful Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, conveniently sited near all the landmark attractions that make Orlando “the happiest place on earth.”
We encourage you to register soon to secure your place at the EELC today.
Plan your EELC journey by charting your pathway to networking and learning. Here are just a few of the highlights we have in store to help direct your choice. We believe they will inspire you as you interact with early learning experts and explore new ways to think about your work.
October 10 | 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
As technology continues to evolve, early childhood educators face a growing challenge—and opportunity—to integrate innovation in ways that preserve the human heart of our work. This session explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), video coaching, and the CDA framework to elevate professional development while staying true to the core values of reflection, responsiveness, and respect.
(Left to Right) Parissa Snider, CMO, Watch Me Grow; Stephanie Deputy, Senior Director of Sales, Watch Me Grow; Jaimie Rechkemmer, Founder | Director of Strategic Partnerships and Product Strategy Aim4 Impact Consulting, Watch Me Grow
October 9 | 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Powered by the Council Alumni Network (CAN)—Where Connectivity Happens
Looking for a space to spark conversation, reconnect with colleagues, or build new partnerships? The Networking Lounge is where connectivity happens. Hosted by CAN, this flexible, come-and-go space is designed for informal meetups, one-on-one chats, and collaborative moments. The Networking Lounge is your invitation to engage in the power of connection on your own terms.
October 9 | 10:45 – 11:30 AM & 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM
October 10 | 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM
Explore core values, lived experiences, and personal growth that ground leadership in early childhood education. These 30-45-minute talks are where stories of challenge, transformation, and impact take root, offering wisdom and inspiration to help others grow in their own practice. Rooted Talks remind us that leadership doesn’t start at the surface—it begins with what’s planted deep within.
Meet one of the presenters of Rooted Talks | Extended Micro-Sessions
“I’m very serious about play,” says Anthony “Ant” Toombs Sr., Founding Member, Growth & Expansion Strategist at the Life is Good Playmaker Project. “Play is the medicine to help kids heal. That begins with helping early childhood professionals harness the power of play, not just as a classroom strategy, but as a force for healing, connection, and joy.”
The Playmaker Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to spread the power of optimism to help kids heal. “We provide trauma-informed, optimism-fueled training and support to over 25,000 ‘Playmakers,’ who are caring professionals serving more than one million children each year. We believe children grow to see the good in themselves, in others, and in the world, but only when they’re in safe, loving, and joyful environments,” says Ant. “That’s why our work starts with the adults.”
Many of them, including early educators, social workers, afterschool, and Child Life Professionals, serve in communities where children experience toxic stress from poverty, illness, violence, and other hardships. “Often, these professionals have their own experiences with trauma, whether directly or vicariously. You can’t spread what you don’t have,” says Ant. “So, our work helps them reconnect with their own sense of safety, joy, and playfulness. That’s how the healing begins.”
For Ant, this mission is deeply personal. He grew up just a few miles from the Life is Good Playmaker headquarters in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in a neighborhood affected by chronic stress and community violence. “What made the difference for me,” he shares, “was connection. I had music, territorial camaraderie inadvertently,” he jokingly adds, “and a few good adults, especially one incredible teacher, Sandra Long, who poured unconditional love into me. That helped shape the way I saw others, who are simply striving to do their best. Miss Long was a Playmaker who helped me.”
Ant went on to study psychology at Cambridge College and became deeply involved in trauma response work, including his time at the Children’s Trauma Recovery Foundation, where he was part of a 24-hour crisis team. “We responded to community violence, mostly homicides, suicides, and accidents. Whenever an acute traumatic event took place in Metro Boston and the surrounding areas, we showed up,” Ant says. “It was through that work that I met Steve Gross, founder of the Life is Good Playmaker Project.”
What began as a collaboration to bring joy-filled playgroups to children evolved into a long-term partnership focused on prevention. “We realized that the best way to help kids is to support the caregivers,” Ant explains. “That became our work: to train and inspire educators, giving them tools to build resilience in themselves and their children.”
The work lives on through Playmaker University, an online platform where childhood professionals can take courses that support their emotional well-being and professional growth. Many of the courses can also be applied toward the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™, giving educators trauma-informed, play-based strategies they can use in their classrooms every day.
“Play isn’t just silly games,” Ant clarifies. “It’s a tool for connection, safety, and empowerment. Children learn best when they feel strong, safe, and engaged. So, we support educators who are creating those conditions.”
Even traditional games can get a redesign. Take musical chairs, for instance. “It’s a game of elimination. It teaches scarcity and competition,” Ant notes. “But we flip it into musical shares, where the chairs disappear…not the kids. Everyone gets to work together to fit on fewer chairs. It becomes a game of collaboration, creativity, and connection. There’s laughter and a sense of belonging, with one common goal: teamwork!”
Over the last 17 years, Ant and the Playmaker team have partnered with thousands of educators across the U.S. and in Haiti, supporting them with workshops, keynotes, and trainings rooted in both science and soul. “We call them Playmakers! (he excitedly adds again), “the adults who dedicate their lives to helping kids heal through play,” Ant says. “I simply hold up the mirror so they can see the power and light they already carry.”
He’ll continue that mission this fall at the Council’s Early Educators Leadership Conference in Orlando, where he will be a featured speaker and his colleagues will host a poster presentation and several Innovation Labs. “These are active, immersive sessions where we help educators feel what we mean because when you feel it, you know it,” he says.
For Ant, this is more than professional work. “It’s a call to action to support early educators! They deserve our respect and every ounce of joy we can offer. They are the true Playmakers.
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Vice President of Strategic Alliances
Elisa Shepherd is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances at the Council, where she leads initiatives to advance the Council’s mission and strategic plan through designing, managing, and executing a comprehensive stakeholder relationship strategy.
With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education (ECE), Elisa has dedicated her career to developing impactful programs, professional development opportunities, and public policies that support working families, young children, and ECE staff. Before joining the Council, Elisa held numerous roles within the childcare industry. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President at The Learning Experience and as Senior Manager at KinderCare Education, where she influenced government affairs and public policies across 40 states.
Elisa’s commitment to leadership is reflected in her external roles on the Early Care and Education Consortium Board of Directors, the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees, and as the DEI Caucus Leader for KinderCare Education. She has been recognized as an Emerging Leader in Early Childhood by Childcare Exchange’s Leadership Initiative.
Elisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on child development from Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA.
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Vice President of People and Culture
Janie Payne is the Vice President of People and Culture for the Council for Professional Recognition. Janie is responsible for envisioning, developing, and executing initiatives that strategically manage talent and culture to align people strategies with the overarching business vision of the Council. Janie is responsible for driving organizational excellence through strategic talent practices, orchestrating workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management as well as a myriad of other Human Resources Programs. She is accountable for driving effectiveness by shaping organizational structure for optimal efficiency. Janie oversees strategies that foster a healthy culture to include embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the organization.
In Janie’s prior role, she was the Vice President of Administration at Equal Justice Works, where she was responsible for leading human resources, financial operations, facilities management, and information technology. She was also accountable for developing and implementing Equal Justice Works Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy focused on attracting diverse, mission-oriented talent and creating an inclusive and equitable workplace environment. With more than fifteen years of private, federal, and not-for-profit experience, Janie is known for her intuitive skill in administration management, human resources management, designing and leading complex system change, diversity and inclusion, and social justice reform efforts.
Before joining Equal Justice Works, Janie was the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Global Communities, where she was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of integrated HR and diversity strategies. Her work impacted employees in over twenty-two countries. She was responsible for the effective management of different cultural, legal, regulatory, and economic systems for both domestic and international employees. Prior to Global Communities, Janie enjoyed a ten-year career with the federal government. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, she held key strategic human resources positions with multiple cabinet-level agencies and served as an advisor and senior coach to leaders across the federal sector. In these roles, she received recognition from management, industry publications, peers, and staff for driving the creation and execution of programs that created an engaged and productive workforce.
Janie began her career with Verizon Communications (formerly Bell Atlantic), where she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility, where she directed a diversity program that resulted in significant improvement in diversity profile measures. Janie was also a faculty member for the company’s Black Managers Workshop, a training program designed to provide managers of color with the skills needed to overcome barriers to their success that were encountered because of race. She initiated a company-wide effort to establish team-based systems and structures to impact corporate bottom line results which was recognized by the Department of Labor. Janie was one of the first African American women to be featured on the cover of Human Resources Executive magazine.
Janie received her M.A. in Organization Development from American University. She holds numerous professional development certificates in Human Capital Management and Change Management, including a Diversity and Inclusion in Human Resources certificate from Cornell University. She completed the year-long Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program sponsored by The Schaefer Center for Public Policy and The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. She is a trained mediator and Certified Professional Coach. She is a graduate of Leadership America, former board chair of the NTL Institute and currently co-steward of the organization’s social justice community of practice, and a member of The Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, Janie is the Board Chairperson for the Special Education Citizens Advisory Council for Prince Georges County where she is active in developing partnerships that facilitate discussion between parents, families, educators, community leaders, and the PG County school administration to enhance services for students with disabilities which is her passion. She and her husband Randolph reside in Fort Washington Maryland.
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