Meet Our Staff
Kaycee Headrick
CEO
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Kaycee brings 15+ years of nonprofit leadership experience, specializing in child and youth development, advocacy, and strategic growth. Passionate about community-driven change, she excels in policy, coalition building, and resource development. She believes collaboration is key to creating lasting impact for future generations.
Alissa Sims
Development & Outreach Manager
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Alissa has worked in early childhood education and child development for most of her adult life. She is deeply passionate about centering the needs of children in the communities she serves and helping others understand the critical importance of the first five years in a child’s cognitive and socio-emotional development.
She and her husband are lucky to have four amazing young adult sons and a super rascally and exceptionally loving rescue dog.
Amy Carlough
Director of Provider Services
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Amy has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education, having served in roles ranging from preschool teacher to director. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public health education and a master’s degree in educational psychology. Passionate about leadership and advocacy in the field, Amy is also a graduate of the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program.
Ashley Harris
Director of Operations
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I have worked in the Early Childhood Education field for the past 15 years. As the Ops Manager, I love finding solutions, creating efficient systems and keeping everything organized. In my spare time I enjoy chasing my kiddo around and being near water and the mountains.
Mary Lynn Neiman
Grants & Admin Manager
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Mary Lynn Neiman is responsible for managing grants and has successfully dispersed 100% of funding and coaching awards to early childcare providers since she joined the Council in 2022. Previously she directed a non-profit organization for 10 years and has experience with project management and administration in the education, private and non-profit sectors. Mary Lynn loves to be active outdoors.
Ursula Perez
Early Childhood Trainer & Coach
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Ursula has been devoted to supporting children, families and fellow educators for more than 25 years. She brings joy and knowledge of real-world experiences into her coaching and training. She holds the belief that all learning is based on relationships and is the foundation for all coaching and training. Ursula also shares a lifelong curiosity of using the arts to support social-emotional growth and development.
Tracy Youngdahl
Early Childhood Trainer & Coach
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Tracy has been an Early Childhood Coach and Trainer at the Council since 2019 and has 20 years of experience teaching children ages 8 weeks old to 3 years old. Her favorite part of coaching is providing strengths-based observations, facilitating interactive trainings, and reminding educators of the joy and silliness that can be a part of their teaching and guiding children in their classrooms. Her favorite quote is “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” By Maya Angelou.
Kori Taylor
Child Care Navigator
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I am passionate about supporting child care providers as they create nurturing environments for the children and families they serve. I have a Master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my friends and my dog.
Lizette Gutierrez
Communication and Special Projects Coordinator
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I am passionate about working with children and bridging services to the community’s needs and have 9 years of experience working with children and families. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, paddleboarding and spending time with my husband and our dog.
Elena Bacmeister
Early Childhood Bilingual Trainer & Coach
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Elena is a proud graduate of the Buell Early Leadership Program currently pursuing an EdD degree. A Mom of four beautiful humans, Elena has 20+ years of experience in early childhood education including volunteering in public schools, serving as a bilingual TA and Family Services specialist in Head Start, and currently supporting our community as a bilingual Early Childhood Coach. With her husband, Julio, Elena enjoys music, traveling, and all things outdoors.