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Board of Directors

The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida Board of Directors represents both public and private sector business leaders from Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties. The ELC Board of Directors meets bi-monthly at the Early Learning Coalition Office. The public is invited to attend.

Public comments are accepted during a specified time at the beginning and end of the meeting. Please see agenda for details.

*All Board meetings are held at 2675 Winkler Ave., Suite 300, Fort Myers, FL 33901.
Click here for driving instructions to the Early Learning Coalition of SWFL.

Board Members

Kae Moore
Chair of the Board Governors Appointee
Campain Director for Friends of Lovers Key State Park
Laura R. Bright
Vice Chair
Chief Advancement Officer, Golisano Children's Museum
Jamie Merchant
Governor Appointee
Manager of Payroll Reporting, Inc.
Sean Kempton
Governors Appointee
Director of Sales and Project Manager for Gulf Coast Aluminum
Brooke A. Goldstein, M.S. SLP
Treasurer of the Board and Finance Committee Chair
Regional Provider Liaison & Team Leader, Early Steps Health Planning Council
Dr. Elizabeth McBride
Secretary of the Board, Human Resources Committee Chair, Executive Committee
Director of Early Learning, Collier County Public Schools-Designee
Rebecca McKellar
Chair, Nominations and Bylaws Committee
Creative World Schools, Private For-Profit Child Care
Michele King
Chair - Programs Committee
Director of Child Advocacy Program, Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida
Tara Sherrod
Chair Events Committee
Director, First Baptist Preschool, Representative of Faith-Based Childcare Providers
Alex Breault
Finance Committee
Partnership Manager, FutureMakers Coalition
Derek Burkholder, Ed. D, MBA
Finance Committee
Doctor of Educational Leadership
Chantel Porte
Programs Committee
Regional Supervisor for Child Care Licensing, Department of Children and Families
Dr. Kelly Ross
Nominations & Bylaws Committee
Professor and Coordinator of Early Childhood Education Florida SouthWestern State College
Kimberly Ross
Nominations & Bylaws Committee
Owner, Ross Dynasty Cares
Char-Nequa Smith
Programs Committee
Executive Community Health Nursing Director, Lee County Health Department Administrator-Designee
Barbara Short
Human Resources Committee
Quality Assurance Program Manager for CareerSource Southwest Florida
Aaron Stitt
Finance Committee
Florida Department of Children and Families
Tanya Williams
Nominations & Bylaws Committee
Director, Collier County Library, Collier Board of County Commissioners Designee
Rashondra Croskey
Ex Officio Board Member
Teacher Glades County Public Schools
Dr. Bethany Quisenberry
Board Member
Director Early Childhood Learning Centers Lee County Public Schools

ELC Board Membership Application

Are you interested in expanding your connections in Southwest Florida? Do you want to develop skills (public speaking, networking and leadership experience) that may advance your professional career? Serving on the Early Learning Coalition Board and its committees offers individuals a rewarding way to share their skill sets and talent at a not-for-profit organization that targets early education.

Being a board member requires an active and sincere interest in promoting quality early learning for young children and supporting families towards self-sufficiency. Each board member will be expected to regularly attend Board meetings (schedule six times each year); and participation in one or more Board Committees.

Currently, applicants are needed to fill the following vacant seats:
  • Private Sector Business Members, which includes those working for both for-profit and nonprofit businesses

For more information about the Coalition Board, to apply for any of these positions, or to join our Board, please complete the coalition application online. The application is submitted directly to the Early Learning Coalition at 2675 Winkler Avenue, Ste. 300, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. For information/application for consideration as the Governor’s Appointee position, go to Governor Appointee Application.