Leading Forward Together: Your Invitation to Kansas City

Kansas City is home for me, and it's a special place to gather our network. This is a thriving crossroads where Kansas and Missouri meet, where collaboration, innovation, and a deep sense of community shape everything that happens here. As SVP of Strategy and Advancement at Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), I couldn't be more excited to welcome you to my home community this October 5-6 for Leadership Institute: Leading Forward

Alongside our regional members, we're inviting you to Kansas City to explore some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing state network and community-based CCR&Rs today, from leading with strategic vision to forging new partnerships to building the kind of long-term sustainability that the children, parents, and providers who rely on us deserve.

Earlier this year, CCAoA introduced a bold 10-year strategic vision for the future of our network. Bringing that vision to life will take all of us: learning from one another, challenging each other, and moving forward together. That's why I wanted to bring in a few voices from our CCR&R community to share what leading forward means to them.

“We understand the concerns of our fellow CCR&R leaders. Every day, we're balancing immediate needs with long-term planning, responding to changes, and caring for our broad community of children, parents, providers, and colleagues.”

-- Paula Neth, CEO, Futures First

"Modern leadership is letting go of what has been, challenging the status quo with curiosity, and being kind while moving forward with innovation and humility. Modern leaders don’t keep talking about what should be. We surround ourselves with thought leaders and growth mind sets to get it done. Making bold, thoughtful decisions—even in uncertainty— creates the confidence and space for others to move beyond what’s familiar."

-- Robin Phillips, CEO, Child Care Aware® of Missouri

“Leadership Institute isn't just about responding to today's issues. It's about engaging in conversations that help child care work now and prepare for what comes next.”

-- Kami Cohorst, Interim CEO, Child Care Aware® of Kansas

Their words capture exactly why this gathering matters. The diverse experiences, perspectives, and expertise that come together at Leadership Institute inspire all of us. Together, we are strengthening our individual organizations, our network and child care nationwide.

 On behalf of CCAoA and our regional hosts, I invite you to register now to join us October 5-6.My hope is that you'll leave with practical strategies, stronger connections, and tools you can put to work right away, plus renewed focus and momentum to help you lead child care in your community forward.

CCAoA looks forward to welcoming you to Kansas City!