Senior Leadership

Emily’s diverse nonprofit career and extensive travels have been centered primarily around fostering healthy communities. Through her career over the past ten years, Emily has worked with agencies whose work spans international poverty alleviation through impact investing to a global focus on how people and nature can thrive together. Emily came to L.E.A.P. in 2018, with financial leadership skills and excitement to work in a community close to home. In her time at L.E.A.P., Emily has helped to ensure that some of the most critical resources in the community are continually funded in a way that is sustainable while helping to shape the strategic direction of L.E.A.P.  Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Vermont and a Master of Business Administration from Simmons University in Boston.

Emily likes to hike, walk, and explore the local library in addition to volunteering as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of a local preschool program.

Shannon has dedicated her career to providing developmentally appropriate early childhood educational practices that prepare young children and their families for school and beyond. Having initially run her own daycare practice, Shannon started her journey at Head Start Warren County as a Lead Teacher. Enjoying many years of training and mentoring, she decided to take on a new chapter here at LEAP overseeing our Head Start and Early Head Start Programming.

Shannon is a proud mother of three, and enjoys spending time with her husband and children travelling and enjoying the outdoors.

Inspired by her parents’ consistent generosity toward and acceptance of others, Shelley has spent her life serving others in volunteer and professional capacities. Shelley believes with support, people can overcome barriers and strive for the life they desire, leading her to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology/Life Coaching followed by a Master’s Degree in Leadership/Nonprofit Management.

Shelley loves spending time with family and friends, whether it’s playing cards or board games, adventuring outdoors, playing music together, or just sitting at the dinner table talking and laughing, time with loved ones refuels her.

Originally from Brooklyn New York, Jodie moved to the Capital District in 1985 and has since become a proud alumna of Adirondack Community College and The College of Saint Rose, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. In 2001, Jodie began her career at L.E.A.P. Head Start as a Family Advocate, working to ensure that every family is being supported on their own individual needs and strengths.

Jodie is the mother of three girls and enjoys spending time with family, her puppy, listening to music, watching the Yankees win, and traveling.

Throughout her time in the program, Amber has worked as a classroom lead teacher, center director, and education and disability coordinator. With a BA in Multidisciplinary Studies and Elementary Education and an MA in Special Education, Amber’s goal is to establish developmentally appropriate classrooms in which all children can learn while continuing to foster and grow collaborative relationships between the L.E.A.P. agency and local school districts.

Amber lives in Fort Ann with her husband, two daughters, two dogs, and two cats. Her family enjoys taking road trips and visiting “new to us” local places, playing competitive board games, watching movies, trying out new recipes, and taking our dogs on walks. Amber also enjoys reading, crossword puzzles, and volunteering at her church.