Board of Directors
Champions for Early Childhood. Stewards of Our Mission. Partners in System Change.
At Foundation First, our Board of Directors serves as the strategic backbone of our organization—providing governance, expertise, and vision in support of a thriving early childhood ecosystem across the Ready Region North Central (RRNC).
Their leadership guides our work to strengthen programs, expand access, support families, and ensure that every child, birth to age five, has what they need to learn, grow, and succeed.
Our Commitment to Governance & Impact
The Foundation First Board of Directors brings together cross-sector leaders from business, education, philanthropy, government, and community organizations. Together, they:
Provide Strategic Oversight
They ensure our mission is strong, our operations are sound, and our strategy reflects the evolving needs of the children, families, and early educators in our region.
Advance Systems-Building Across RRNC
Board members champion coordinated enrollment, mixed-delivery expansion, quality improvement (VQB5), family engagement, business partnerships, and data-driven solutions to strengthen the regional ECCE ecosystem.
Steward Resources & Sustainability
They safeguard organizational sustainability through financial oversight, risk mitigation, and long-term planning—ensuring that Foundation First is positioned for growth, innovation, and capacity building.
Champion Community Partnerships
Board members are ambassadors for early childhood, activating networks across local government, business, philanthropy, and education to strengthen community ownership of the system.
What Our Board Values
Our Board plays an essential role in our shared governance model, working alongside councils, task forces, superintendents, and families to shape a unified early childhood vision for RRNC.
They uphold our commitment that families remain at the center of decisions, strategies, and system design.
Through transparent oversight and data-driven decision-making, the Board ensures our work is high-quality, effective, and responsive to the community.
Board members support forward-thinking ideas and innovative approaches that help build a stronger workforce, stronger families, and stronger communities.
Meet Our Board Officers
Greg Ballard, Chair
Founder & CEO, 5C Consulting
Aaron Tolson, Director
CEO, 135 Consulting Group
Dr. Molly Lynch, Secretary
Provost, NOVA Manassas
Vicente Garcia, Treasurer
ACTS
Meet Our Board of Directors
Phat Vuong, Director
Foundation First Family Council
Catherine Sturtevant, Director
Foundation First Family Council
Eric Earnhardt, Director
Dean of Humanities & Social Sciences Germanna Community College
Karen Miller, Director
Prince William County Dept. of Social Services
Jessica Johnson, Director
Foundation First Family Council
Christine Munoz, Director
Learn & Play
Alexis Duffin, Director
Loudoun County Public Schools
Chantel Clayborn, Director
LLE (Childcare Organization)
Leigh-Anne Vaughn, Director
Realtor at Pearson Smith Realty
Dr. Melissa Saunders, Director
Manassass Park City Schools
Jennifer Rucknar, Director
Tots to Teen Therapy Services
Bryan Rothamel, Director
Director, Culpeper County Economic Development
Susan Johnson, Director
Early Childhood Development Head, NOVA Loudoun
Dr. Kia Steen, Director
GMU Associate Professor of Education Internship Coordinator, Early Childhood Education
Dr. LaTanya McDade, Director
Prince William County Public Schools
Board Committees
Foundation First’s Board operates through standing committees that ensure strong governance and oversight across all areas of the organization:
Organizational strategy, executive leadership support, and governance leadership.
Financial sustainability, budgeting, audits, and risk management.
Board recruitment, bylaws, compliance, and organizational integrity.
Community partnerships, philanthropy, advocacy, and regional visibility.
Why Our Board Matters
The strength of our Board directly fuels the strength of early childhood education across our region. Their leadership ensures:
- A unified, high-quality early childhood system
- Strong alignment with state and federal initiatives
- Sustainable operations and responsible stewardship
- Community-driven solutions that reflect local needs
- Opportunities for children, families, and early educators to thrive
They are more than decision-makers, they are partners in building a future where every child has access to safe, high-quality early learning.
Join Us in Strengthening Early Childhood
Foundation First regularly engages business leaders, families, civic partners, and community champions in our work.
If you are interested in learning more about board service, committee participation, or other leadership opportunities, please contact us at gina@foundationfirstva.org.
