Usma Mohamed
news@cdacouncil.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council for Professional Recognition announces that CEO Dr. Valora Washington has made a personal decision to resign. The governing board congratulates her and is grateful for her lifelong commitment to early childhood education and especially for her decade-long service leading the Council. The Council’s mission is to promote improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education sector.
The Council’s Board of Directors is committed to a smooth transition and appreciates that Dr. Washington will continue to assist with this transition. Members of the Council’s senior executive team will also be assisting with this transition. The search for a replacement is expected to take as long as six months.
“Dr. Washington has been a strong, guiding force for the Council and has prepared us well for the next level of success and growth, and we remain grateful for her many contributions,” says Linda Hassan Anderson, president of the Board of Directors.
“It’s been a great privilege and honor to advance the organization in so many significant ways. It has been particularly inspiring to serve those who have pursued and hold the Child Development Associate Credential and to expand the reach of the credential around the world,” says Dr. Washington. “I realize we’re all challenged on multiple levels at this time given the pandemic, but I’m confident our very gifted staff members will excel as they always have in their important roles.”
During Dr. Washington’s tenure, the Council has significantly increased the number of Child Development Associate® Credential and renewals and started offering online assessments. She is considered a pioneer in early education, having been named as a Legacy Leader by the Center for Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes (CEELO) for having shaped the early childhood education field, having a unique perspective on the history and context of today’s policy initiatives, and for developing strategies to address the issues that impact child outcomes. Dr. Washington has authored over 50 publications including “Children of 2010” and “Children of 2020.” She has also co-authored “Ready or Not: Early Care and Education’s Leadership Choices – 12 Years Later,” “The New Early Childhood Professional,” and “Guiding Principles for the New Early Childhood Professional.” Additional information can be found here.
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 zero to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings including center-based, preschool/infant-toddler, family childcare, and home visitor programs. As a nonprofit organization, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing. To date, over 800,000 CDA credentials have been awarded 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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