Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
Board of Directors
The mission of the Iowa Head Start Association is to enhance the capacity of its members to promote and advocate for a wide variety of quality services for all of Iowa’s children and families.
Sharon Burke
I joined Northeast Iowa Community Action in 1999 as a Head Start permanent sub and worked my way up to Early Child Program Director. I earned my Community Action Professional Certification in 2015. Prior to NEICAC I was a preschool teacher in Wisconsin. I have worked my entire career in the Early Childhood Field with over 30 years of experience. I am a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where I earned my BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I am married with two grown sons and two grandsons.
Tonya Weber
Tonya Weber has been the Director of the New Opportunities, Inc. Head Start/Early Head Start program since 2013. Prior to that she worked as Assistant Director in the program and worked in homelessness prevention within the agency. In Tonya’s time as Head Start/Early Head Start Director, she has previously served on the Iowa Head Start Association Board of Directors and also currently serves on the Region 7 Head Start Association Board, as well as the Iowa Early Access Council. Tonya holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Buena Vista University and earned her Master’s Degree also from Buena Vista. She enjoys being involved with Head Start at the local, state, and regional level and looks forward to any opportunity to promote and advocate for the programs of Iowa.
Matthew LeClere
Matthew LeClere has been the Head Start Director for Community Action of Southeast Iowa for 4 years. Prior to coming to Head Start, he worked as an elementary principal for 18 years in Galesburg, Illinois. During his tenure as principal, his school was recognized 8 times as an Illinois Spotlight School for being a high performing low-income school and was featured in Dr. Max McGee’s book, “What Every Superintendent and Principal Needs to Know”. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Dubuque, a Special Education degree from Grandview University, he earned his Master’s Degree from Drake University, and earned his Ed.S. from Western Illinois University with a superintendent certification. His background in the public schools offers a unique perspective in the preparation of Head Start children for their upcoming school careers.
Denise Tapscott
Denise Tapscott is the Family & Community Partnerships Specialist for the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Development. Prior to working with Head Start, Denise owned and operated a nationally accredited family childcare business with her husband where she recognized the value of strong partnerships with families. For the past 13 years in her role with Head Start, Denise enjoys supporting families, teachers, and family support staff in identifying and celebrating each families’ unique strengths and understanding the essential role families play in their child’s development.
Jayni Scott
Jayni Scott works for Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) out of Marshalltown as the Early Childhood Programs Services Coordinator. She has worked with the Head Start Program since 2012 in various roles; a Head Start Teacher, Early Head Start Teacher, Program Supervisor and Coach, and currently as the Services Coordinator. Jayni has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Iowa State University and has spent her career at MICA. There she has partnered with families and teachers in helping children meet developmental and educational milestones. Jayni completed her Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) Certification in 2024 and is a strong advocate for the services that both Head Start and Community Action provide to children and families experiencing poverty.
Danielle Segebart
My name is Danni Segebart and I have been the Director with West Central Community Action Head Start since October of 2021. Prior to being the Director, I have worked in the program for over 12 years in various positions from Teacher to Education Manager. I live on a farm outside of Manilla, Iowa with my husband, Jeremiah, my children Wesley (4) and Ava (1), and my nephew Justin (17). In any free time, I love doing things with my family, being outside, and being with friends.
Ashley Otte
Ashley Otte is the Director of Workforce Initiatives at Iowa AEYC where she manages the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® and Child Care WAGE$® programs. Ashley has been with Iowa AEYC since 2010, in that time she has worked to advance the education, compensation and retention of the early care and education workforce. She served as Coordinator of the Iowa Head Start Association from 2011-2022 and is passionate about the mission of Head Start. Ashley holds an M.A. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Meghan Judisch
Meghan has worked in Early Childhood for 16 years. She is passionate and dedicated to serving children and families. Meghan mission at work is to encourage and empower parents and staff to be the best that they can be. Meghan Judisch has worked for NICAO Head Start for 10 years. She started as a Family Advocate and held various roles throughout the years. In January 2021, she took on the role as Assistant Coordinator. She continues to mentor other Family Advocates as the Family Services Supervisor as well as coordinates the parent education. Meghan holds a BA in Family Services through University of Northern Iowa.
Chris Juett
Chris Juett is the Assistant Director and Head Start Education Coordinator for HACAP Head Start and has combined more than 30 years of professional experience in both the non-profit and early childhood education fields.
Chris started her career in early childhood education as a HACAP Head Start Teacher and has held various positions within the organization. She left HACAP in 2006 to pursue other experiences in the non-profit field, including working at United Way of East Central Iowa as the United Way 2-1-1 Program Manager. She led the non-profit and helped the community in this role during the floods of 2008.
Chris returned to the early childhood education field in 2016 and has been a center supervisor, the Education Coordinator and now holds her dual role of Assistant Director and Head Start Education Coordinator. She has a passion for early childhood education and helping children and families prepare for kindergarten and beyond.
In her free time she likes to spend time with her family – husband Jeff, daughter Jacqueline, someday son-in-law Max, and their two dogs Mila (Miniature Schnauzer) and Mabel (French Bulldog), read, sit in a rocking chair on the deck, shop, plant flowers and decorate her home for the seasons and holidays.
Brenda Fry
I was a Family Development Specialist for South Central Iowa Community Action Program (SCICAP) from 1999-2000. I left this position to work for another non-profit organization with a Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant. With this grant I was able to teach GED classes, Parents and Children Together (PACT), coordinate after school activities, Family Nights, and a mentoring program. I worked for Children and Families of Iowa as a Family Specialist Counselor. I was a youth group counselor at Cornerstone Counseling and then returned to SCICAP as the FaDSS Supervisor/Coordinator in 2009. I was actively involved with the IFDA FaDSS Day on the Hill planning committee. I was promoted to SCICAP Executive Director in May 2018. I value lifelong learning and I’m very supportive of our Early Childhood programs with a focus on continued quality improvement and supporting the entire family in learning and growing together.
I have a BS degree in Human Services/Management, Family Support Supervisor Certification, and a Graduate Certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. I am the proud mother of 3 amazing sons, and I have 9 beautiful grandchildren.
Stacy Tieck
Not available.
Elizabeth Fairchild
Since 2014, Elizabeth (Liz) Fairchild has been the Child Development Director at Sieda Community Action, where she leads early childhood programs that help children and families thrive. Liz earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from St. Catherine University which has led her into more than 30 years of experience in education. She is passionate about advocacy, building strong family partnerships, and creating supportive environments where staff feel empowered to grow and make a difference. Liz truly believes that every child deserves a champion and that meaningful relationships between families, educators, and communities are key to lasting success. As a member of the Iowa Head Start Association Board, Liz is proud to advocate for high-quality early learning opportunities and to support the dedicated professionals who make them possible.
Collaborative Partners
Iowa Head Start State Collaboration Office
Monica Shuey
Training and Technical Assistance System
Brenda Spurgeon
Early Childhood Education Specialist
Iowa Community Action Association
Katherine Riley Harrington
Executive Director
Executive Director
Lori Ferris
Executive Director
As a previous Head Start and Early Head Start Program Director Lori brings a valuable appreciation and perspective to help support the unique needs of programs. Her diverse background includes 30 years of business management, organizational and policy development, health and nutrition administration and public speaking. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University. Being passionate about advocating for her state’s youth and at-risk children and families is something she has cultivated throughout her life while valuing a model of continuous learning and growth. Lori enjoys developing relationships with Head Start leaders, staff and partners while supporting the Head Start and IHSA missions.