We are currently accepting presenter proposals for the 2020 Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference. The conference is designed to meet the professional development needs of early childhood practitioners, while at the same time providing a forum for community advocates to learn, share, and network. The conference is seeking diverse and inclusive presentations focused on promoting and advancing early childhood education for children birth to age 8. Submission Deadline: September 3rd at midnight
As the Director of Simple Interactions and Academic Programs for the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media, Dana Winters seeks to apply and advance the legacy of Fred Rogers in serving children and their helpers. Through projects involving children’s helpers across many diverse settings, including child care, school systems, community programs, residential care, and children’s hospitals, she communicates and reflects what is simple and deep about work in service of children and their families. Dana supervises the Center’s research lab, Incubator 143, which partners with educators, trainers, advocates, and researchers to focus on identifying and amplifying the simple active ingredient that universally helps serve children—the power of human connection. She joined the Center after serving as the Senior Evaluator for the Collaborative for Evaluation and Assessment Capacity at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education, and as an Education Counselor with the Educational Opportunity Centers of Penn State University. Dana holds a Ph.D. in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh, a M.A. in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in sociology from Saint Vincent College.
Shiza Shahid is an entrepreneur, technologist, investor and impact leader. Shiza co-founded the Malala Fund with Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, and led the organization as founding CEO. She focused on creating access to high quality education for all children around the world. Shiza launched NOW Ventures in Silicon Valley, in partnership with AngelList, the largest Venture Capital Platform in the world. She invests in mission-driven technology startups, that are solving the world’s most pressing challenges through technology, innovation, and high-growth business models. Shiza is the founder of The Collective, a community of leading entrepreneurs that come together to build collaborative change. Shiza is the host of the new USA Today show “ASPIREist,” which inspires millennials to take action on the issues that matter most. Shiza is passionate about the future of impact through technology; she studied exponential technologies at Singularity University, which is dedicated to applying futuristic innovations to advancing humanity. Shiza also graduated from Stanford University with University Distinction. She was a business analyst with McKinsey & Company. Shiza is renowned for her work, receiving many awards as a thought leader. She was named one of TIME’s “30 Under 30 People Changing the World,” Forbes “30 Under 30 – Social Entrepreneurs” and a Tribeca Institute Disruptive Innovator. She is a member of the WEF Global Agenda Council and has been featured in multiple publications, including Forbes, Fast Company, Elle, Glamour, Town and Country, The Edit, CNN, ABC, Al Jazeera, MSNBC and others. Shiza is a prominent speaker and has spoken frequently at major international events, including Aspen Ideas Fest, Milken Global Institute, Forbes Women, Fortune Most Powerful Women, Inc Women, Women Moving Millions, World Economic Forum and others.