CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), a state agency with approximately 180 full-time employees and an annual budget of $632.8 M.EEC provides financial assistance for over 53,000 children to attend programs that support their growth, development and learning.EEC also licenses 9,000 early education and care and out-of-school time programs in Massachusetts.During my tenure as commissioner, EEC:- Successfully secured and implemented a $60 million federal Preschool Expansion Grant, serving 3,200 preschool children with free, high-quality services through an innovative public-private partnership model. The Preschool Expansion Grant Program was studied and Massachusetts is introducing a similar model this year known as the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative.- Successfully implemented more than 50 initiatives to enhance program quality under a $50 million Federal Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge Grant.- Provided historic investments in early education and care programs, including the Commonwealth’s most significant annual rate increases to programs providing services to children eligible for subsidized child care. - Launched the Early Education and Out-of-School Time Capital Fund, supporting 25 programs with $19 million to build or upgrade facilities to support the healthy growth and development of young learners. - Developed and introduced new program and workforce quality and capacity-building initiatives; specifically, StrongStart to Program Quality, supported by a newly revised Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) standards; and, StrongStart to Career Pathways, supported by an innovative new $10 million state program to support statewide professional development efforts led by the Commonwealth’s community colleges.- Significantly increased child care services to children involved with the Department of Children and Families.- Led the most significant technology upgrade in EEC’s history.

Manage all aspects of the Executive Office of Education, an agency of 74 full-time employees with a $12 million budget. Responsibilities includes direction and coordination of budget and finance, legal, legislative, information technology, policy, communications and administrative personnel in furtherance of Governor Patrick’s education agenda. Serve as the agency’s primary liaison to the Governor’s Office, executive branch secretariats, and education agencies. Responsible for formulating and implementing legislative strategy and facilitating legislative outreach and response, including the Achievement Gap Law of 2010 and the community college reforms of 2012. Secretary’s designee to the Board of Early Education and Care and policy lead for early education and care issues.

Manage all aspects of the Executive Office of Education, an agency of approximately 70 full-time employees with a budget in excess of $8.5 million. Responsibilities includes direction and coordination of budget and finance, legal, legislative, information technology, policy, communications and administrative personnel in furtherance of Governor Patrick’s education agenda. Serve as the agency’s primary liaison to the Governor’s Office and secretariats.

Shared managerial responsibilities for the agency. Served as the legislative liaison, responsible for formulating and implementing legislative strategy and facilitating legislative outreach and response, including the Achievement Gap Law of 2010. Secretary’s designee to the Board of Early Education and Care and policy lead for early education and care issues. Managed interagency collaborations, including the P-20 council, Child and Youth Readiness Cabinet, and Dropout Commission. Managed communications, focusing on strategy and content.

Developed and implemented state budget and legislative strategy to advance campaign goal of achieving universal access to high-quality pre-kindergarten and full-day kindergarten programs; participated in media and communication strategy to further campaign objectives.

While a full-time law student at Suffolk University Law School, reviewed town by-laws pursuant to the Attorney General’s approval authority, coordinating and authoring disapproval and cautionary letters.

Coordinated staff activities related to municipal, intergovernmental, and external affairs; participated in the development of the Attorney General’s municipal and public policy agenda; directed the constituent service office; served as Interim Director of External Affairs from January, 2005 - July, 2005.

Directed all aspects of Somerville Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay’s re-election campaign, including strategy, messaging, scheduling, budgeting, office management, communications, and volunteer management.

Managed the production of "The Pursuit of Happiness: A Survey on the Quality of Life in Massachusetts" (May, 2003), including editing, design, publishing and dissemination logistics; conducted background research as part of planning research agenda; prepared materials related to securing corporate and foundation support for research projects.

Participated in planning and implementing the Chamber’s public policy and legislative agenda as related to technology and innovation, federal research funding, housing, workforce development, education, transportation, and federal issues.

Advised Senator Kerry on issues related to economic development, education, children, and transportation; responsibilities included local relations, event coordination, grant support, and constituent service; prepared press releases related to issue areas; coordinated intern program for four district offices.