Montgomery Early Learning Centers is pleased to welcome Zakiyyah Boone as Chief Program Officer. Ms. Boone will be responsible for the programmatic direction of the organization’s five high-quality early childhood education programs, its kindergarten program and its five out-of-school time programs. She will also lead the effort to open MELC’s newest early childhood education program at New Market West, which is slated to open in the spring of 2020. The center at New Market West is part of a neighborhood transformation project at 59th and Market Street, which will bring high-quality early childhood education, primary health care, support for previously homeless single-parent families, behavioral health services, and community-serving retail to a transit-accessible location together with affordable rental housing (in a later phase) to a neighborhood deeply in need of these services.
Ms. Boone has 22 years experience as an early childhood and youth development professional. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Early Childhood at the Greater Philadelphia YMCA where she managed a budget of $20M, identified growth and partnership opportunities and ensured the appropriateness of facilities to deliver high-quality programs. A national leader in educational quality improvement, Ms. Boone led a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing the ability of after school programs to improve student outcomes. Locally, she has cut the ribbon on 10 child care centers and launched multiple evidence-based youth development programs across the Greater Philadelphia region.
Ms. Boone holds a BS in Elementary Education from Millersville University and an MBA from Kaplan University. As a mother of two, Ms. Boon personally understands the impact that high-quality early education can have on children and families, especially with a high-quality childcare provider such as MELC.
“We are thrilled that Zakiyyah is joining our team,” said MELC Chief Executive Officer Ann O’Brien. “Her passion for the work along with her extensive experience and skill set will support MELC as we launch into a new phase of growth while maintaining the rigorous standards and high quality for which we are known.”
NARBERTH, PA – Montgomery Early Learning Centers (MELC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Tom Sulpizio, CPA as Chief Financial Officer. As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Sulpizio will lead all finance and accounting operations and provide oversight for the organization, including budgeting, analysis, adherence to grantor requirements and the organization’s policies and control, as well as the completion of the annual audited financial statements and tax reporting.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Saint Joseph’s University, Mr. Sulpizio has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant with accounting and nonprofit audit and consulting experience for nearly 30 years. Prior to joining MELC, Mr. Sulpizio had been with public accounting firms in the Philadelphia area at the Partner and Principal levels, where his primary client base was nonprofit organizations. In those roles, he managed a portfolio of client attest engagements working with management and Boards. He regularly recommended improvement opportunities for operations and controls and advised on governance best practices and other industry specific challenges. He is excited to be bringing that knowledge and experience to MELC.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am happy to welcome Tom to MELC,” commented Jeffrey Leber, Board Treasurer. “He has tremendous experience and passion and brings the exact financial stewardship MELC needs for today and as we look toward the future.”
Mr. Sulpizio also has a passion for volunteerism. For over 10 years, he was a Trustee for a local nonprofit organization, Northern Children’s Services, where he served as the organization’s Treasurer and finance committee Chair. As a father of four, Mr. Sulpizio personally understands the impact that high quality early education can have on children and families, especially with a childcare provider such as MELC.
NARBERTH, PA – Montgomery Early Learning Centers (MELC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Judy Witmer as Chief Program Officer. As Chief Program Officer, Ms. Witmer will lead and manage all early childhood, school age programs, and related services within the organization, including maintaining high quality accreditations, ongoing curriculum development, staff training, and managing partner relationships.
Prior to joining MELC, Ms. Witmer had a 20+ year tenure with Hildebrandt Learning Centers, serving as the Director of Curriculum and Programming, Regional Director, and Chief Operating Officer. In these roles, Ms. Witmer oversaw all daily operational procedures, regional management teams, curriculum development, and professional development to provide the highest quality care to families and children in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited early care and learning programs.
“MELC is thrilled to welcome Judy as the Chief Program Officer,” said Ed Trainor, MELC Board President. “Judy’s experience and expertise in the early childhood education field will strengthen MELC’s ability to provide the highest quality care and support its future growth within the Greater Philadelphia region.”
Ms. Witmer is a lifelong advocate for early childhood education, with over 30 years of experience in the field as a teacher and director in profit, non-profit, and corporate programs. She is a recipient of local and state leadership awards, including the Pennsylvania Child Care Association Award for Excellence and the Success by 6 Early Childhood Leadership Award presented by the United Way of Lancaster County. Ms. Witmer is also involved in various local and state boards and organizations related to young children, including serving as a Pennsylvania Keystone STARS Stakeholders chair and secretary for Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, and contributed to the writing of the original Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for Kindergarten. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Millersville University.
Narberth, PA – On Friday, June 17, at 10:30 am, officials from the Greater Philadelphia, Main Line and African American Chambers of Commerce joined other business and military leaders to release a new report detailing how high quality pre-k is important to developing STEM skills—those essential capabilities in science, technology, engineering, and math demanded in the 21st Century workforce. The report also cites projections for STEM-workforce growth as well as the challenges business and the military face in securing necessary skilled workforce. Participants will call on state policymakers to expand access to high quality pre-k as part of the 2016-17 state budget.
The report release was covered by CBS Philly, Philadelphia Business Journal, and Main Line Media News.
Regional Chamber Officials, Business & Military Leaders Press Conference
MELC Narberth Center 201 Sabine Ave Narberth, PA 19072 Friday, June 17, 2016 10:30 am
Officials from the Greater Philadelphia, Main Line and African American Chambers of Commerce will join other business and military leaders to release a new report detailing how high quality pre-k is important to developing STEM skills-those essential capabilities in science, technology, engineering, and math demanded in the 21st Century workforce.
WHO’S ATTENDING?
Steven Bradley, Chairman African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE
Bernard Dagenais, President & CEO Main Line Chamber of Commerce
Liz Ferry, Vice-President Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Ann O’Brien, CEO Montgomery Early Learning Centers
James Waddington, Director – Strategic Marketing Solutions Lockheed Martin PA Early Learning Investment
Wesley Craig, Major General (Ret.) Former PA Adjutant General United States Army / Pennsylvania National Guard
Thomas Wilson, Rear Admiral (Ret.) United States Navy
Mary Jo Daley, State Representative PA 148th Legislative District
Nick Miccarelli, State Representative PA 162nd Legislative District
“This is a really bid deal.” MELC Board President Ed Trainor said. “They could have picked any Southeastern PA Early Childhood Education program to host this conference but they choose our Narberth Center because of MELC’s ability to provide high quality programs and our commitment to make sure all young children have access to programs like ours.”
Montgomery Early Learning Centers is pleased to welcome Zakiyyah Boone as Chief Program Officer. Ms. Boone will be responsible for the programmatic direction of the organization’s five high-quality early childhood education programs, its kindergarten program and its five out-of-school time programs. She will also lead the effort to open MELC’s newest early childhood education program at New Market West, which is slated to open in the spring of 2020. The center at New Market West is part of a neighborhood transformation project at 59th and Market Street, which will bring high-quality early childhood education, primary health care, support for previously homeless single-parent families, behavioral health services, and community-serving retail to a transit-accessible location together with affordable rental housing (in a later phase) to a neighborhood deeply in need of these services.
NARBERTH, PA – Montgomery Early Learning Centers (MELC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Judy Witmer as Chief Program Officer. As Chief Program Officer, Ms. Witmer will lead and manage all early childhood, school age programs, and related services within the organization, including maintaining high quality accreditations, ongoing curriculum development, staff training, and managing partner relationships.
