Groundwork Ohio Announces the 2027 Early Childhood Fellowship Cohort

June 4, 2026 – Columbus, OH – Groundwork Ohio is proud to announce the 2027 cohort of its Early Childhood Fellowship, welcoming 20 emerging and established leaders from nine Ohio counties who are committed to improving outcomes for young children and families across the state.

Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, the Fellows bring expertise and lived experience from early education, healthcare, mental health, child welfare, family engagement, faith-based leadership, and community advocacy. Over the next year, they will deepen their knowledge of early childhood policy, strengthen their leadership skills, and build a statewide network of advocates working to ensure every Ohio child has the opportunity to thrive.

“Ohio’s youngest children need champions in every community,” said Lynanne Gutierrez, President & CEO of Groundwork Ohio. “These Fellows bring both professional expertise and lived experience to the work of improving systems for children and families. We are excited to invest in their leadership and support them as they help shape policies and solutions that make Ohio the best place to be a young child.”

Since its launch, Groundwork Ohio’s Early Childhood Fellowship has helped cultivate a growing network of advocates and leaders who are elevating the voices of children and families, informing public policy, and strengthening local systems across Ohio.

Groundwork Ohio 2027 Early Childhood Fellows:

• Abigail Alexander, SPARK Coordinator | Action for Children

• Adlynn Anaya, Advocacy Coordinator | Imagine Cincinnati

• Tionna Barksdale, Lead Teacher | Kiddie Academy – Worthington

• Nicole Bell, Toddler Teacher | Hathaway Brown School

• Elisabeth Cumberland, Owner/Administrator | Playtime Preschool LLC

• Vikki Cumberlander, Assistant Principal | KIPP Columbus High School

• Shaffawn Fields, Foster Care Specialist | Starting Point

• Jennifer Fisher, Pastor/Nonprofit leader | Imagine Cincinnati

• Carmen Fryman, Preschool Administrator | Atonement Lutheran Preschool

• Mary Grisez, Help Me Grow Home Visitor | Stark County ESC

• Qorsho Hassan, KRC Program Manager | Future Ready Five

• Rachel Herring, Regional Resource Coordinator | Starting Point

• Julie Klear, Co-Founder & Creative Director | Zid Zid Kids

• Sara Krugman, Family Engagement Coordinator | Action for Children

• Kaylee Louis, Provider Services Coordinator | COAD

• Jessica Maddox, Lead Teacher/District Autism Specialist Team | Adams County/Ohio Valley Schools

• Miken Oliver, Owner/Executive Director | Nourish Early Learning

• Kimberly Rosa, Parent and Youth Ambassador | Starting Point

• Christie Stemplinski, Early Childhood Education Program Specialist | Starting Point

• Helaine Wilson, Administrator

Throughout the year, Fellows will participate in leadership development, policy education, advocacy training, and peer learning opportunities. They will engage directly with policymakers, collaborate on projects addressing real-world challenges facing young children and families, and develop the skills needed to drive meaningful change in their communities and across Ohio.

To learn more about the Early Childhood Fellowship, visit: www.groundworkohio.org/fellowship

About Groundwork Ohio

Groundwork Ohio is a nonpartisan public-policy research and advocacy organization that champions high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies from the prenatal period to age 5, that lay a strong foundation for Ohio kids, families, and communities. We advance quality early childhood systems in Ohio by engaging, educating, and mobilizing diverse stakeholders and strategic partners to promote data driven and evidence-based early childhood policies. Learn more at groundworkohio.org.