Child Care Action Council Staff Directory
Administrative
Gary Burris | Executive Director
As Assistant Director for Quality at the Department of Early Learning, Gary led licensing policy and continued quality efforts begun in the DSHS Division of Child Care and Early Learning. He worked to professionalize the early learning workforce by easing access to college courses, providing scholarships, and delivering wage enhancements tied to higher education. He worked to improve the quality of licensed homes and centers and school age programs through national accreditation efforts and facility grants and loans. At the Oregon Children and Families, Gary’s unit provided state level support such as best practices, staff training and program consultation for community home visiting, positive youth development, child care, family centers, court advocates and relief nurseries. He played a leadership role in carrying out the Oregon’s Children’s Plan – a comprehensive interagency effort to coordinate services for children and families. Most recently with EOI in Seattle, Gary researched and advocated on early learning, asset building, and retirement policy. He has a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a BA from Evergreen.
Brian Cole | Director of Finance and Operations
I lived in several parts of the country, including Nevada and Oregon, before settling in the Puget Sound region in the mid-90s. My partner of nearly 25 years served on CCAC’s Board in 2008-2014, and we have remained supporters of CCAC ever since. Professionally, I have spent most of my career working in the agriculture industry in Finance and Administration. I look forward to working in the non-profit sector and continuing the great work and services CCAC provides.
Allison Woody | Office Administrator / Bookkeeping Assistant
“I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.”
Nancy Hobson | Provider Services Coordinator
I have worked at Child Care Action Council Resource & Referral for over 16 years. Before that I had worked in child care centers in the Olympia area for over 25 years. I started out as an aide and worked up to being a director. In my present position I work with parents and providers through Margie’s Crisis Nursery and the Homeless Child Care Program. I keep our NACCRRA provider data base up to date. I enjoy helping people and if I don’t know the answer I am willing to try and find the answer for you. I enjoy working with providers and helping them get excited about training and now Early Achievers and QRIS. It will help us all do a better job for children.
April Messenger | Policy & Advocacy Manager
With two decades of experience in policy and advocacy in early learning and family engagement, my journey began as a parent navigating the complex systems of childcare and early intervention for my own children. My lived experience and the challenges I faced with my own children has fueled my passion for empowering other families to advocate for themselves and voice their needs within the community to leave a more just, equitable and accessible system that serves everyone, leaving no one behind.
Natalie Chavez | ECEAP Contract Specialist
ECEAP is a comprehensive services program dedicated to serving the whole child. We provide early learning, family support, and health services. In my role as CCAC’s ECEAP Contract Specialist, I have the privilege of working alongside CCAC ECEAP providers to ensure that they have the knowledge, tools and resources they need to thrive as they deliver high quality ECEAP Services to children and families.
Before this role, I worked as a Head Start Center Director, an Early Achiever Coach, and an Early Learning Trainer.
I choose to do this work, because I believe all children deserve access to opportunities to develop and learn. I also believe children are served best by adults who are supported well. It brings me joy to care for the people who dedicate their lives to children.
Danielle Russell | Family Access Program Manager
I’m excited to join CCAC as the Family Access Program Manager. Over the last 16 years I’ve been fortunate to lead work that helps families overcome challenges and build resilience. Creating strong communities and supporting families is truly my passion. Outside of work I volunteer time as a Girl Scout leader in my daughter’s troop where I get the opportunity to help girls gain skill and realize their leadership potential. However, nothing gives me more joy than spending time with my family both biological and chosen! My perfect day is spent with family by the water, kayaking, enjoying good food, playing an intense game of Skipbo and hearing the laughter of the ones I love.
Danielle King | Grants & Safe Kids Thurston County Manager
I am the Grants Manager with over a decade of experience writing successful grants to support programs benefiting children in our communities. My background in early childhood education includes operating a nonprofit preschool for several years, and I have more than 10 years of experience leading the Safe Kids Thurston County program.
CCAC Programs
Early Achievers
Kristin Gomez | Early Achievers Regional Coordinator
I manage our team of Leads, Coaches and Holding Hope Mental Health Consultants who support providers in growing quality programs.
The majority of my adult life has been in support of children, families and/or child care providers through teaching, training and administration. Helping a child feel successful, building the confidence of a young parent, mentoring a teacher or coach towards positive change…this work is meaningful, important and humbling. I am grateful for the role I have at CCAC.
ECEAP
Sabrina Williams | ECEAP Administrator
I am the ECEAP Administrator at Child Care Action Council, where I bring over 20 years of diverse experience in early childhood education. My career has included roles as a teaching assistant, teacher, coach, and coach supervisor, along with serving as an organizational trainer for various programs. I am passionate about fostering a positive environment where every child, parent, and staff member feels valued and respected for their hard work. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature to recharge and find inspiration.
Professional Development
Heidi DeVries | Professional Development Administrator
Hi my name is Heidi DeVries and I have just recently joined the Child Care Action Council and cannot say enough about how excited I am to be taking the next step in my professional career by working and learning from such an amazing staff dedicated to children and teachers. Previously I have worked as a preschool and toddler teacher, nanny, and I also lived at an orphanage in the Philippines for three years working with children of all ages. I have always had a passion for working with children and am especially passionate about students with behavior challenges. My role here at the Child Care Action Council will be to work as an infant/toddler mental health and early learning consultant. I will also be teaching classes at CCAC. I look forward to mentoring teachers to better support their students and provide high quality, meaningful learning environments and opportunities.
I currently hold a BA in ECE and Administration and a MA in Education with specializations in ECE and Special Education. I look forward to meeting and working with all of you!
State Required Training
Susan Burnham | Early Learning Training Coordinator
I believe adults and children learn best through hands-on experiences. I strive to create a learning environment that is safe and stimulating, providing learners with many opportunities to practice new ideas and challenging each us to see multiple perspectives. I have worked as both a teacher and a manager in a range of education programs, including public schools, private preschools, museums, and community programs. In these setting I’ve created early learning environments that are child centered, play based, and developmentally appropriate. The curriculum I’ve developed focuses on creating a classroom learning community, building language and social skills, and integrating the arts and STEM learning throughout. As an early learning coach and trainer, I provide hands-on learning experiences, best practices and research, support, and appropriate challenges to help providers reach their goals.
Family Services Programs
Tovi McClellan | Family Services Program Manager – Dolly Parton Imagination Library / Parents As Teachers / Kaleidoscope Play & Learn / Raising A Reader
I have over forty years of varied work experiences, including bookseller, restaurant manager, retail manager and paraeducator. I served three years with AmeriCorps, first with the Washington Reading Corps and then with the South Sound Reading Foundation. I also worked with Sound to Harbor Early Learning as a Center Director for seven years. I have lived and worked in Grays Harbor, Mason County, and Thurston County. I consider the beautiful Puget Sound region my home! As a lifelong learner, I am a collector of quotes. Two of my favorites: “We are all walking each other home.” – Ram Dass “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery
I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside a team of dedicated professionals as we support and grow with children and families in our community!
Meet the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library / Parents as Teachers / Kaleidoscope Play Team.
Safe Kids Thurston County
Genrietta Parker | Safe Kids and Development Support Specialist
I have been working with children since 2010 in various settings, supporting children of all ages in their developmental, emotional, and social growth. With a degree in Early Childhood Education, I believe that a safe and nurturing environment is essential for effective learning. Currently pursuing a degree in Human Development, I strive to enhance my understanding of child growth and development. My commitment to ensuring both safety and support for every child does shine through the work I do at Child Care Action Council.