Usma Mohamed
news@cdacouncil.org
WASHINGTON, DC — The Council for Professional Recognition, an organization that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential, is pleased to announce the appointment of several new members of the Governing Board.
Dr. Sandy Baba is a recognized researcher and practitioner in early care education and family service development. Dr. Baba has led statewide and national quality rating improvement system efforts. Her research on supporting low-income Chinese immigrant families in federally funded early childhood education programs was featured by the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Baba co-founded the Asian Interest Forum at the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Dr. Baba is a senior adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College, Graduate School of Human Development (San Jose, CA).
Dr. Stacie Goffin is the founder and principal of the Goffin Strategy Group LLC. Dr. Goffin is a recognized leader and author in early childhood education. She has led initiatives spanning higher education, local, state, and national organizations; organizational development; and advocacy, resulting in change for systems, policy, and early childhood education.
Jim Heath is principal at 3L Coaching LLC (Richland, MI) and the retired president of Stryker Instruments. Heath will serve as the board treasurer. Heath spent more than 25 years as president of Stryker Instruments, a division of Stryker Corp., a Fortune 500 corporation that develops innovative tools that make surgery more efficient and less painful. Now Heath’s focus includes coaching business leaders and giving back to the community.
The Council’s CEO, Dr. Calvin Moore Jr., says, “Sandy, Stacie, and Jim each bring unique perspectives to the Council’s board of directors. We are thrilled to have them join our Governing Board. This is a critical time for early educators and the CDA. I am sure their professional experiences will benefit the board as they work to advance the Council’s mission and vision for the early care and education sector.”
For more information about the Council, visit www.cdacouncil.org.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL FOR PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages birth to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings including Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family childcare, and home visitor programs. As a nonprofit organization, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing. To date, close to one million Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials have been issued around the world. For more information, visit www.cdacouncil.org.
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Chief Operations Officer
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
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.
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