Greater Spokane Inc. (GSI) is proud to announce the inaugural recipients of the 2024 Childcare Champion Awards, recognizing exceptional individuals and organizations that have made contributions to the advancement of childcare and early education. This recognition celebrates innovative leadership, advocacy, and impactful practices that support children, families, and childcare providers in our region.
According to the most recent Spokane County State of the Children Economic Impact Report, the economic impact of lack of affordable childcare is clear and has a direct impact on Spokane regional employers, families, and small business childcare providers. A statewide Ready Nation report tags the economic impact of lack of childcare at approximately $5 Billion throughout the state of Washington.
When asked what these awards mean to GSI, Erin Vincent, Vice President of Education & Talent, said, “Frankly, it was difficult to cut this list down to twenty names. There are a lot of people living and breathing childcare and early learning in our region. This amount of focus is a good thing for kids and families.” Vincent went on to add, “The final list of champions represents people who have leaned into this work – people who have given their time and talent to this issue to try to make the childcare environment better for kids, families, and providers.”
Vincent added, “From a business and workforce perspective, these numbers are real. Economic impact matters because behind the numbers are individual people. Sometimes terms like ‘business community’ or ‘workforce’ create monoliths and broad categories when it’s more helpful to focus on specifics. When it comes to childcare, the ‘business community’ cares about childcare and early learning because we are parents. We’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of access, affordability, and inclusivity. It’s a safe assumption that nearly every working parent has, at some point, faced tough choices between childcare and work priorities. That lived experience is exactly why the business community cares so deeply.”
Childcare Champions were selected based on their leadership to create momentum in childcare and early learning initiatives. Congratulations to the following 2024 Childcare Champions:
Naomi Abella: Spokane Regional Health District
Jody Azavedo: Numerica Credit Union
Kerra Bower: Little Scholars Development Center
Mary Ellen Braks: Spokane County Library District
Mayor Lisa Brown: City of Spokane
Colleen Condon: Lilac City Early Learning Center
Amy Cross: Huckleberry Nurse Consulting
Nick Flett: Akin
John Hindman: Community Minded Enterprises
Kaitlyn Johnson: Pend Orielle Parent Preschool Co-Op
Jesse Johnson: Champion Empire
Katie Maisch: Regional Co-Lead | Inland Northwest Early Learning Alliance
Chris McFaul: Horizon Hospice
Traci McGlathery: STCU
Jana Mueller: Pend Oreille Parent Preschool Co-Op
Rob Roettger: ESD 101
Suzanne Schmidt: Washington State Legislature
Nicole Sohn: Journey Discovery Center
Brian Trimble: Spokane Herzog Family Center
Amy Vega: Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery
