Governing Board
Jennifer DeFrance, President
I have worked in the early care filed for 15 years and am currently the Executive Director of A Place to Grow, a high, quality, NAEYC accredited childcare program. I am also an adjunct professor at the University of Rhode Island, teaching in the HDF field. I have found it rewarding work with students (young and educators of) and staff in helping them to identify their strengths and promote individual growth. Children are our world's most valuable resource, and we must ensure that they receive the best possible care in early years to lay the foundation for future learning.
Clarissa Uttley, President-Elect
Clarissa is a graduate student at URI specializing in child development and professional development of early childhood educators. She has presented her research at state-, national- and international early childhood conferences and has been in the field of early childhood education for over 15 years.
Kristin Allen, Treasurer
Kristen Allen has been working in the field of early care and education since 1985. After many years of providing center-based care and operating her own family child care business, she went to work for Connecting for Children & Families in Woonsocket. There she has spent the last seven years making linkages between early care and education programs, public schools, home, and the community with the ultimate goal of supporting families and producing great outcomes for kids. Kristen lives in Blackstone, Massachusetts with her husband, three children, and unruly dog.
Cheryl Hovey, Secretary
I work as a private nanny while pursuing my Master's degree in Zero to 3 at Wheelock College. I also enjoy being a mother to a wonderful daughter.
Sue Connor
Sue Connor currently serves as the chair of the RIAEYC Professional Development Committee. Sue is director of the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island Early Childhood Program, an RIAEYC accredited center. Sue has been on the RIAEYC board for over 30 years. During that time she has served and/or chaired most RIAEYC committees. Sue is a past president of RIAEYC. Her particular passion lies in the area of supporting professionals to provide high quality programs.
In addition to her involvement in RIAEYC, Sue is a Past President of NEAEYC and has served on many NEAEYC committees. Nationally Sue has served on the Membership Affiliate Panel and the Professional Development Panel. During the first three years of the national Affiliate Council, Sue was RIAEYC's representative. During her third year she was chair of the Council.
Debra Stipe
I have worked in the early childhood profession since 1988 as a kindergarten teacher, primary grade teacher, and program director of an NAEYC accredited program. I currently work for EASTCONN, a regional educational service center in Connecticut as an early childhood specialist in training and development and accreditation facilitator. I joined the RIAEYC board in 2000 serving as the Accreditation Chair. I live in Smithfield with my husband, Peter.
Craig Turcotte
Andrea Weidele
This past year I joined the RIAEYC board in order to become more involved in the early childhood field. Currently, I am a Program a Manager of Providence/Cranston Kids' Network and a mother of a toddler. With my Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and over 10 years of experience in childcare, I hope to represent the early childhood field well.
Nancy West
For 45 years I have been in the education profession starting as a special needs teacher and advancing to founder and director of a private elementary school, an adult tutor, an early childcare director and eventually becoming an educational consultant for ChildSpan. I believe in quality education for all students of all ages from our youngest to our more mature learners.
Although I am originally from Connecticut, I have found my second home here in Rhode Island. I am new to the RIAEYC Board and am delighted and honored to be a participant in their mission.