Meet the team working to help advance Early Edge California’s mission.
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Patricia Lozano is the Executive Director of Early Edge California and an Early Learning expert with over 25 years of experience. A champion for children, she has been instrumental in advancing California’s Universal Transitional Kindergarten program, which now provides free preschool for all four-year-olds, and led the passage of landmark legislation to support Dual Language Learners.
Patricia began her career as a preschool teacher in Colombia and later held research roles at UCLA, RAND Corporation, and First 5 LA. She also served as a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she identified exemplary Pre-K programs to guide the Foundation’s national Early Learning strategy.
She holds a B.A. from Los Andes University in Colombia and an M.A. in Psychology, with a concentration in Child Development, from California State University, San Bernardino. Patricia has served as Executive Director of Early Edge since 2017.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/patricialozanou
As Chief Operating Officer at Early Edge California, Stephanie leads the organization’s finance and budgeting, operations, human resources, and organizational strategy and evaluation. She’s passionate about building the systems, processes, and structures that help the team thrive and bring big policy ideas to life.
Stephanie’s connection to Early Edge’s mission is rooted in her family history. Her mother and grandmother were both teachers and caregivers to young children, and her godchild is a budding artist whose creativity inspires her daily. Before joining Early Edge, she spent over 15 years managing diverse projects and teams across entertainment and media organizations.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from The College of William & Mary and joined Early Edge in 2018.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/stephaniewayland01
As the Director of Policy at Early Edge California, Carolyne leads the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts to support children and families across California and nationally.
She comes to the organization with nearly two decades of experience in Early Childhood Education, having worked primarily supporting Dual Language Learner (DLL) students and teachers in the classroom across several roles, including Site Supervisor/Academic Coordinator, English Learner Specialist/Coach, and Curriculum Developer. She is also proficient in Portuguese, French, and Spanish and is raising her two young children as Multilingual Learners.
She obtained her Master of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of California, Davis as well as a Bachelor of Science and Early Childhood certification from the University of California, Los Angeles. Carolyne joined Early Edge in 2017.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/carolynecrolotte
As the Director of Communications at Early Edge California, Joanna oversees the development and implementation of communications strategies to support the organization’s advocacy and policy priorities and fund development efforts. She collaborates across the team to ensure a holistic approach to our communications and works with external partners to identify opportunities for further amplifying our priorities around supporting children, families, teachers, and providers.
As the parent of a young child, Joanna is proud to be part of a team that is working to expand access to free and affordable high-quality early learning and care options that support children and families. Prior to joining Early Edge, Joanna worked for more than a decade in communications roles at leading children’s mental health and child welfare agencies in Los Angeles.
Joanna holds a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Occidental College. She joined Early Edge in 2019.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/joanna-cole-randall
As Development and Senior Project Manager, Trish helps lead Early Edge California’s development strategy and fundraising efforts, and supports key programmatic initiatives that advance the organization’s mission. A proud immigrant from the Philippines, she is passionate about working toward a future where all children, especially those from historically underserved communities, have access to quality Early Learning and Care.
Trish loves to connect with people, whether it’s facilitating conversations in a Zoom meeting or sipping coffee at a conference table, and she values the strong spirit of collaboration that drives Early Edge’s work. Before joining the team, Trish worked at the American Film Institute and Battelle for Kids, a national nonprofit focused on education.
Trish is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Franklin University and a B.A. from Cleveland State University. She joined Early Edge in October 2018.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/patricia-aranez-morrison-3341167
As Communications Manager, Edith manages Early Edge’s communications channels and supports the development and execution of strategies aligned with the organization’s priority areas, working closely with the Director of Communications. She oversees content creation and design for both print and digital assets to advance Early Edge’s advocacy and fundraising efforts.
Having grown up as a Dual Language Learner (DLL), Edith understands the value of bilingualism and the importance of supporting DLLs and the educators who serve them which is why she is proud to contribute to Early Edge’s mission. Prior to joining Early Edge, she was the Marketing Specialist at MIND Research Institute, a research-based non-profit organization that aims to provide students with a solid foundation in math.
Edith holds a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Educational Studies from the University of California, Irvine. She joined Early Edge in January 2021.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/edithesparza
Lorraine DeGraffenreidt supports the project management team with organizational operations at Early Edge California. She coordinates logistics and optimizes workflow in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Development & Senior Project Manager.
As a new parent, Lorraine has first-hand experience with the challenges that families and early childhood educators face with getting the support they need while caring for and nurturing California’s youngest residents. For her, supporting Early Edge’s mission is an extension of her personal efforts to improve outcomes and the overall quality of life in her community.
Lorraine received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Her professional background as an administrator and coordinator began in the entertainment industry where she also received the honor of being an Emmy-nominated television writer for the kids and family audience. Engaging with Early Edge is a natural fit for her interests and joining the organization in 2025 feels like excellent timing.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/lorraine-degraffenreidt-1352a8390
As Senior Policy Analyst, Mirel helps co-lead the development and execution of Early Edge California’s local, state, and federal advocacy agenda. Additionally, Mirel leads Early Edge’s work related to infants and toddlers and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) implementation.
As a mom raising a multilingual toddler and with a career dedicated to education policy and advocacy, Mirel brings extensive knowledge and expertise to her role. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every child and family in California has access to the resources they need to thrive.
Mirel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Mexican American Studies from the University of Houston and a Master of Public Policy from the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration at The George Washington University. She joined Early Edge in October 2024.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/mirelherrera
As Policy Analyst, Andrew staffs and advises on issues relating to the state’s Early Learning and Care mixed-delivery system, including Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, and on student parents in higher education. He promotes the organization’s priorities in these areas by drafting, analyzing, and advocating for pending state legislation and state allocation budget requests.
Andrew grew up as a Dual Language Learner and was raised by FFN caregivers, never attending licensed child care or preschool. He has also been a dedicated and loving FFN caregiver for over 10 years to his niece and nephew.
Andrew holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Davis. He joined the organization in March 2023.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/andrew-avila-8a0403242/
As Policy Analyst, Eduardo advances the organization’s state and federal policy agenda in support of multilingual and Dual Language Learners (DLLs). He drives policies that elevate the benefits of bilingualism and ensure California’s Early Learning and Care systems are thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of DLLs.
In his role, Eduardo builds strong partnerships with advocates, educators, and system leaders to promote high-quality, culturally and linguistically affirming experiences for young children. As a former DLL himself, he brings a deep personal commitment and lived experience to this work, understanding firsthand the power language has in shaping identity, belonging, and opportunity from a child’s earliest years.
Eduardo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Chicago. He joined Early Edge in August 2024.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/gtzeduardo
Jon Youngdahl is owner and strategic consultant with Youngdahl Strategies, a sole proprietor consulting company located in Sacramento, California.
Youngdahl Strategies has a mission of building partnerships, designing strategies and winning campaigns. Jon consults with unions and nonprofits in California and nationally on program development and on building campaigns—including issue, legislative, initiative and electoral—that are focused on creating a more just and equitable society. Jon brings over 10 years of work on early childhood education issues, including serving as Fundraising Chair and then 2-year President of the Board of Directors of the Seward Child Care Co-op in South Minneapolis; serving as 2-year Fundraising Chair of the School for Friends child care center in Washington, DC; working on early childhood education issues for six years from February 2007 – January 2013 for SEIU International in Washington, DC, as the National Political Director and Chief of Staff; and advocating on early childhood education policy and coalition building for three and a half years from February 2013 – July 2016 as the Executive Director of the SEIU California State Council in Sacramento, CA.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/jon-youngdahl-2933544
Patti Herrera, EdD, Executive Vice President, serves school districts by advocating for public policies that maintain and advance the interests of pre-K–12 and community college students. As part of the School Services of California Inc. (SSC) team, Dr. Herrera provides timely information to pre-K–14 field practitioners across the disciplines on legislative and regulatory proposals that will affect their daily work.
Prior to joining SSC, Dr. Herrera led the Governmental Relations Division as the Chief Governmental Relations Officer for the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools. She also spent more than a decade on policy development related to public school facilities at Murdoch, Walrath & Holmes and the Coalition for Adequate School Housing, where she specialized in the State School Facility Program. Through her work in public education policy making and advocacy, Dr. Herrera has worked and developed relationships with key policymakers and staff in and around the State Capitol.
Dr. Herrera graduated cum laude from the University of California, Davis, with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both International Relations and Chinese and Russian History, as well as a Doctor of Education.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/patti-herrera-48a90810
Megan Baier is the Director of Governmental Relations at School Services of California Inc. She advocates on behalf of public and nonprofit clients, sponsoring legislation, advancing budget requests, and providing representation in the State Capitol.
Before joining SSC, Megan led the Association of California School Administrators’ budget advocacy, representing school leaders in the Capitol on key fiscal and policy issues. Megan also spent a decade working in the California Legislature, serving as the Senate President pro Tempore’s TK-12 and higher education advisor. Additionally, Megan served as the Legislative Director for the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Megan received her bachelor’s degree in feminist studies and politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Contact: [email protected]
Connect: linkedin.com/in/megan-baier-484bb096
General inquiries: [email protected]
Media inquiries: [email protected]
Phone: (213) 652-8585
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