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 Nominations Open Now!
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Childcare Champion Awards, recognizing outstanding leadership and dedication across the greater Spokane region’s childcare and early learning community. Up to five honorees will be selected and anyone may submit a nomination. Nominations close on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025.
Award Criteria
Nominees are evaluated on:
- Leadership & advocacy
- Innovation & problem-solving
- Impact on children, families, or the childcare system
- Collaboration & community contribution
- Commitment to equity, quality, access, or workforce support
Eligibility
Nominees may be anyone contributing to childcare or early learning, including:
- Childcare educators & early learning providers
- Family childcare owners
- Program directors & center leadership
- Advocates, community partners & cross-sector leaders
- Employers improving childcare access
- Public sector partners & policymakers
- Organizations advancing coordination, innovation, or system improvement
- Anyone whose work impacts the Greater Spokane region which includes any county in the 5th Congressional District (Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties)
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