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
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
Child Care Accessibility Specialist
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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 dog and husband.
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.