Meet the 2026 Early Childhood Fellowship Cohort

Groundwork Ohio’s Early Childhood Fellowship welcomes a new cohort of dedicated leaders towards driving change for young children.

By Jacob Oates, Program Manager

Follow Jacob on LinkedIn.

We’re thrilled to introduce the newest cohort of our Early Childhood Fellowship featuring a dynamic group of professionals committed to improving the lives of Ohio’s youngest children and their families.

The Fellowship brings together diverse voices from across Ohio. These individuals represent sectors such as healthcare, education, social services, and community advocacy and bring a wealth of lived experience, professional expertise, and local insight to the table.

Over the course of the program, fellows will participate in intensive leadership development, policy education, and peer collaboration. The fellowship seeks to inspire change through a well-crafted curriculum that includes keynote speakers, online learning experiences, discussions with policymakers, networking opportunities, technical assistance, and small group projects. Through this experience, they’ll be equipped to engage in high impact advocacy, shape more equitable systems, and elevate the voices of the communities they serve.

We are proud to welcome this year’s fellows and look forward to supporting them as they grow into even stronger champions for children and families.

Class of 2026 Fellows:

• Kristen Bortle, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant | Nationwide Children’s Hospital

• Sarnell Breedlove, Clinical Manager | The Buckeye Ranch

• Stacy Corll, Owner | Little Loves Learning Center

• Chelsea Davis, Director | Toledo Day Nursery

• Shashi DeHaan, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Clinical Supervisor | Applewood Centers

• Emeri Ferguson, Literacy Differentiation Specialist/Coach | The Wellington School

• Eternity Frye, Early Head Start Coordinator | All 4 Kids 2 LLC

• Monica Gaulden, Recruitment Supervisor | Family Connections Spark Program

• Emma Ginther, Management Analyst of Early Learning Policy | Franklin County Board of Commissioners

• Megan Hamilton, Project Manager | Future Ready Five

• Heather Howard, Director | Shawnee State University Learning Center

• Kaylee Louis, Provider Services Coordinator | Corporation of Ohio Appalachian Development

• Lacey Martin, Owner/Administrator | Timber Tops Dayhome

• Stephanie Moore, Early Learning Specialist | Starting Point

• Julia Myers, Director | Toledo Day Nursery

• Ellen Rhomberg, Literary Specialist | The Wellington School

• Linda Rowlett, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant | Mercy Health

• Brandy Scheetz, Executive Director | Foundations Community Childcare

• Kierra Smith, Director | Nest Schools Dublin

• Emilee Stahl, Early Intervention Supervisor of Intake and Eligibility | Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services

• Carrie Taylor, Early Childhood Mental Health Coordinator | Greene County Educational Service Center

• Marisol Torres, Program Development Coordinator | Starting Point

• Helaine Wilson, Owner/Director | Humblebee Childcare and Nanny’s Multi Level Learning Center

• Denise Zellers, Early Literacy Specialist Librarian | Toledo Lucas County Library

  
  

Stay tuned as we share their stories, celebrate their work, and highlight the powerful impact of this growing network of early childhood leaders.

Read the press release.

Learn more about Groundwork Ohio’s Early Childhood Fellowship.