April 19, 2022 – LOS ANGELES – Child360 Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dr. Dawn Kurtz, former Chief Research Officer at Child360, has been appointed Interim CEO, effective today. The appointment follows William Sperling’s decision to step down as CEO to pursue other professional endeavors.
“We are fortunate to call upon Dr. Kurtz at a time when the effects of COVID-19 have reached an inflection point for the early care and education industry, and the organization,” said Richard Martinez, Child360 Board Member and Superintendent at Pomona Unified School District. “We are confident in her ability to lead Child360 with an eye to the future leveraging her extensive ECE experience, proven leadership, and passionate advocacy for children, their families, and early educators.”
Dr. Kurtz brings over twenty years of dedication to the ECE field to her new role, with a rich background in data-driven early learning program design, implementation and evaluation. Prior to joining Child360, she spent several years managing the First 5 LA Early Childhood Education portfolio and has also served as adjunct faculty at Cal State University, Los Angeles and Whittier College.
“The early care and education industry is facing extraordinary challenges right now. The pandemic brought heightened visibility to the essential nature of the field, and the workforce in particular. I believe Child360, along with its partners, is poised to make significant strides in recruiting and training the next generation of ECE professionals and elevating the workforce that supports our precious children,“ remarked Kurtz.
About Child360
Child360 is a leading nonprofit working toward a future where every child has the educational opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. This means supporting the development of the whole child, beginning at birth. Alongside trusted community partners, Child360 improves the quality of early learning and elevates the early learning industry through program support, professional development, advocacy, research, and community engagement. From every angle, we are equipping the next generation, empowering them to discover their potential, and advancing our future workforce.