Kirsten Hermanutz Reed, PhD

Planned and executed the TXAEYC Annual Conference along with full-time staff

• Built and maintained strong relationships with TXAEYC members, early childhood professionals, and families across Texas to support engagement and retention.
• Developed a statewide, data-driven annual membership recruitment and retention strategy, including designing a comprehensive and value-aligned suite of member benefits.
• Led strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening early childhood education standards and professional practices across Texas.
• Managed the end-to-end RFP process for annual TXAEYC conference speakers, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and audience needs.
• Evaluated membership using data and outcome measures to guide decision-making, improve effectiveness, and support continuous organizational improvement.

• Designed and facilitated educator training workshops focused on effective advocacy strategies and civic engagement.
• Led stakeholder engagement initiatives to advance organizational advocacy priorities and strengthen alignment across partners.
• Built and sustained collaborations with community and statewide partners to expand advocacy reach and collective impact.
• Monitored and analyzed legislative and policy developments to inform strategic advocacy actions and timely organizational responses.

• Oversaw day-to-day operations to ensure effective service delivery, regulatory compliance, and alignment with organizational policies and mission.
• Trained and mentored staff on operational procedures and customer service standards.
• Implemented process improvements that enhanced workflow efficiency across departments.
• Maintained extensive knowledge of childcare licensing, Head Start Standards, child development, family services, services to children with disabilities, and other applicable laws and regulations required to ensure program compliance; worked collaboratively to ensure adherence to standards

• Provided direct consultation and technical assistance to early childhood programs across developmentally appropriate practice, business operations, administration, inclusion, quality learning environments, and family engagement.
• Guided educators through continuous quality improvement processes, including goal setting, data collection, implementation planning, and data-informed decision-making.
• Served as a subject-matter expert on the New Mexico FOCUS program, state licensing regulations, and the New Mexico PreK grant program to support compliance and program excellence.
• Designed, delivered, and evaluated large- and small-group professional development trainings for early childhood professionals and community members; analyzed participant feedback and evaluation data to strengthen future training outcomes.

• Supervised the Family Services team, providing leadership, performance management, and oversight of all functions within the family services portfolio.
• Led family engagement efforts, including program recruitment, enrollment, development and implementation of family partnership agreements, and ongoing support services.
• Collaborated closely with the Site Supervisor and Education Coordinator to ensure integrated program operations; served as acting administrator in the absence of senior leadership to maintain continuity and compliance.
• Planned and facilitated community workshops to increase program awareness, strengthen family engagement, and connect families to available resources and services.

• Partnered with school districts and child development center leadership to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and alignment with program requirements.
• Managed the statewide Family Partnerships Pilot Project, coordinating implementation across multiple districts and supporting consistent, high-quality execution.
• Led oversight of the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP), guiding a multi-year, data-driven initiative to improve literacy outcomes for students with disabilities.
• Co-led planning and execution of the annual Wyoming State Special Education Conference, including presenter recruitment, contract management, and development of a comprehensive three-day agenda serving hundreds of educators.