Kelly Ault, Kids Are Priority One Coalition Community Organizer
Mama Says

Kelly engages parents and businesses in public education, leadership development and policy advocacy activities around early care and education issues. She also coordinates statewide advocacy events and heads up the Coalition's fundraising efforts.

Kelly spent a decade as founder and director of Businesses for the Northern Forest, a program of the Appalachian Mountain Club and Northern Forest Alliance for 1,500 businesses around issues in land conservation advocacy, sustainable forestry and local economy revitalization. She received a Masters Degree in Environmental Policy (with a focus on Public Participation) at State University of New York-Environmental Science and Forestry and holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Administration and Political Science from Indiana University. She served as Board president for Mama Says for three years, is a freelance writer, graduate of the Snelling Center for Government's Vermont Leadership Institute and has received organizer training from the Midwest Academy.

Kim Friedman, Kids Are Priority One Organizing Director
Windham Child Care Association

Kim oversees Kids Are Priority One's leadership development and community organizing work.

Kim has dedicated the past two decades to early childhood advocacy, community organizing, social action research and public engagement work in Connecticut and Vermont. Kim's affiliation with Windham Child Care Association began in 1999 when she joined the staff as its Public Engagement Coordinator. That position grew into her current Coalition role. Kim is an experienced facilitator, workshop presenter, researcher and author. She spearheaded the Child Care Needs Assessment by the Windham Regional Commission (2002). The Early Care and Education Advocacy Leadership Training she developed for Windham County parents and early childhood activists grew into a formal curriculum that has been marketed nationwide in association with the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). The Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VAEYC) awarded Kim its Community Service Award in 2001. Kim has a Master of Arts in Third World Development from Antioch University, a Bachelor of Arts in French from Vassar College, and Senior Organizer Training from Midwest Academy.

Pam McCarthy, Kids Are Priority One Policy Specialist
Vermont Family Network

Pam works with the Coalition's members to develop early childhood policy positions, especially around early intervention.

Since coming to Vermont in 1995, Pam has held a variety of leadership roles in systems development for children and families, including Goals 2000 work with Franklin County Early Childhood Programs and Success by Six, Parent Child Center director, Vermont Interagency Coordinating Council member, and significant contributor to the development of early childhood councils and integrated children’s services at both the state and local levels. For the past six years, she served as the Agency of Human Services Field Director in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. In January 2011, she became President/CEO of Vermont Family Network, a statewide family support and advocacy organization with a focus on children and youth with special needs. Pam holds an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Delaware, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Vermont. She participates in a variety of boards, including the Act 264 Board, the Vermont Coalition on Disability Rights, and the Vermont Children’s Hospital Community Advisory Council. She is a parent of four and a grandparent of three and co-owns Cosmic Bakery and Café with sons Michael and Brian McCarthy.

Barbara Postman, Kids Are Priority One Policy Coordinator
Voices for Vermont's Children

Barbara Postman oversees the education of legislators and assists with policy development for Kids Are Priority One.

Barbara has been Policy Coordinator at the Voices for Vermont's Children since 2001. She has also worked in affordable housing and non-profit consulting and served in the Vermont legislature, where she chaired a legislative study committee on livable income. Barbara has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Ohio State University.

Melissa Riegel-Garrett, Kids Are Priority One Community Organizer
Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children

Melissa engages early childhood providers and organizations in public education, leadership development and policy advocacy activities around early care and education issues. She also coordinates the Coalition's quality campaign and manages the Coalition's finances.

Melissa is also the Executive Director of the Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VAEYC). VAEYC became a sponsoring organization (providing staff) to Kids Are Priority One Coalition in 2006. Melissa has been the VAEYC staff person to the Coalition since that time. Prior to that, Melissa was a NAEYC Accreditation Consultant during 2001-2002 and was employed as Program Coordinator at The Children's Space in Waterbury, Vermont. Melissa has worked as an early childhood educator for 15 years, serving as a child care center teacher, program coordinator and director. Melissa received her Master of Science in Early Childhood Leadership from the Bank Street College of Education and her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development from the University of Vermont.

Sue Ryan, Kids Are Priority One E-network Coordinator
Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council

Sue manages Kids Are Priority One's e-network and has been involved with the coalition since its inception in 2000.

While operating a family child care home for 17 years, Sue worked closely with the State Child Development Division to provide high-quality child care to some of Vermont's most needy families. In 2003, she left that position to work for the Vermont Child Care Apprenticeship Program. In her current position as Program Coordinator, Sue is responsible for the oversight of 40+ apprentice/mentor teams, and she facilitates enrollment of over 280 students per year in tuition-free college courses throughout the state. VAEYC awarded Sue its Community Service Award in 2001. Sue earned her B.S. from Johnson State College in 2008.