Sandy Maldonado
Director of Early Learning
sandy@childcareawarewa.org
Sandy has worked with children and families for 20 years. Teaching in infant programs, preschool, school age care, and providing coaching and consultation for QRIS systems. She’s worked in private child care, state-funded and federally-funded programs. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services Management and Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. Most recently she has joined the CCA of WA’s Program Management team for Early Achievers, Washington’s quality rating and improvement system. Sandy is passionate about securing equitable high-quality early learning opportunities for families, and ensuring all educators have opportunities for culturally responsive and relevant professional development.
Leah Irwin
Program Manager of Quality Initiatives
leah@childcareawarewa.org
Leah just joined the CCA of WA team in January 2019. She has 20 years of early learning and child development professional experience. She has experience in child care, preschool teaching, Child Protective Services, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), ECE university teaching, and Head Start/Early Head Start management. She is in the process of becoming a Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC) certified trainer and is experienced in delivering trainings to adult learners. Leah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University, and a Master of Science degree in Family and Child Studies from Miami University of Ohio. She is passionate about high quality child care and early learning for all of our State’s children, with a particular passion for our most vulnerable infants and toddlers. Leah spends her spare time with her husband, two daughters, many family pets, and doing crafting, gardening, and most recently, horse activities.
Ann Chihan
Program Manager of Quality Initiatives
ann@childcareawarewa.org
Ann is a lifelong learner with a passion for inspiring the mind, spirit and creativity of children and adults. She has worked in the early learning field for over 18 years. She has worked in a wide range of settings, as a toddler teacher, pre-k teacher, center director, Early Achievers coach, MERIT-Approved trainer and Coach Lead. Ann holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Washington University. She has built deep connections within communities to advance work addressing the child care desserts and employer engagement. When not at work, Ann can be found in a hammock with a good book or out wandering in the woods.
Lynsey Kemplin
Project Manager for Professional Development
lynsey@childcareawarewa.org
Lynsey joined the CCA of WA program team in June 2021. She has over ten years of experience in early learning, as a teacher, director, and trainer, and has also taught older students in the K-12 system. She has a B.S. in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University and a Masters in Teaching from City University. When not at work, Lynsey enjoys reading a good book and snuggling with her kitties.
Heather Cacak
Child Care Business Specialist
heather@childcareawarewa.org
Heather joined CCA in April of 2022 and has performed a variety of teaching, mentoring, coaching, and supervisory roles within the field of education. She holds degrees in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Human Development. Heather is a lifelong learner and is currently working toward a doctoral degree in Early Childhood Education Leadership. Her passion for early childhood education is sparked by a deep need to help children, families, and ECE practitioners feel successful. She also has a true love for cooking and enjoys traveling along the PNW coast.
April Ferguson
Program Engagement Specialist
april@childcareawarewa.org
April has worked in Early Childhood Education for 6 years. She has worked as a center director, preschool teacher, and kindergarten teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is currently working towards a bachelor’s in Business Management. She is extremely passionate about ensuring that young children have strong foundations for life through high quality learning opportunities. In her off time, she homeschools her kids and enjoys family time.