Greater
Talent
CHILDCARE CHAMPION
A W A R D S
The Childcare Champion Awards celebrate the people who go above and beyond to support children, families, providers, and the workforce—whether through innovative programs, policy leadership, exceptional caregiving, business partnerships, community collaboration, or efforts that expand access, affordability, and quality.
They recognize people making a meaningful, lasting impact on Spokane’s childcare ecosystem, from birth to high school graduation.
2026 Childcare Champion Award Winners (L to R): Wendy Drum, Julie German-Murrey, Jamie Tate, Deb McCurdy, and Bianka DeSure
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2026 Childcare Champion Awardees
GSI recognizes that access to reliable, high-quality childcare is essential — for families, for educators, and for employers. It directly impacts workforce participation, student success, and economic stability across our region. Childcare is an economic development issue.
This year, we are proud to recognize five 2026 Child Care Champions — individuals and organizations who are stepping up to support early learning, working families, and the systems that make education and employment possible.
These champions represent leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to strengthening our community from the earliest years forward.
2026 Awardees
Bianka DeSure, Spokane Workforce Council
Bianka was nominated by Jessica Clayton who noted Bianka’s system-wide impact over many years of work including sustained effort to develop the Reconnect2Work initiative.
Deb and Bob McCurdy, Debbie’s Daycare
Deb and Bob McCurdy were nominated by 18 of the families they serve – showing just how much their care and dedication has meant over their thirty-years of care.
Jamie Tate, Little Scholars Development Center
Jamie was nominated by Ms. Kerra Bower who is a champion in her own right. Jamie is noted as an advocate for mental health and for childcare providers having traveled to Olympia to champion mental and behavioral health supports for childcare centers. In addition, Jamie has developed innovative programs for families at Little Scholars including summertime and non-school hour care.
Julie German-Murrey, Rosalie Murrey Memorial Foundation
Julie is driving development of Birdie’s Nest: A therapeutic, inclusive early-learning center (opening in 2027) that will offer full-day, full-year care for children ages 3–6, combining early education with on-site therapies (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy) for children with disabilities or special needs. The center is committed to inclusion — serving typically developing children alongside those with disabilities — with a low student-to-teacher ratio and accommodations for mobility, sensory sensitivities, and complex medical needs. Julie was noted to be a person who is working to change the entire landscape for families who need this type of care in our region.
Wendy Drum, Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County
Wendy is noted to have led the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County in providing a massive service to families. She has worked to keep prices low to make services affordable for families that don’t have access anywhere else. They have a variety of options for families all over Spokane County and opened a club in Colville, where there were very few childcare options.
Past Awards
The inaugural Childcare Champion Awards were awarded at the GSI State of Education event on January 22, 2025.
Awardees
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 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