Veteran educator has been with the organization since 2018
The REPORTER
The Board of Directors of Early Learning Indiana (ELI) announced Oct. 30 that Erin Kissling has been named President and CEO. She will begin her duties Monday, Nov. 10.
Kissling currently serves as the organization’s Chief Learning Officer, overseeing the organization’s statewide learning agenda and leading ELI’s eleven Day Early Learning schools, which serve nearly 1,000 children in central Indiana. She has spent nearly 15 years dedicated to preparing young children from all backgrounds for a lifetime of success.
“Erin is a clear-eyed and visionary leader, well-prepared to guide ELI’s high-performing team as we innovate our way out of the perennial challenges facing the early learning industry,” said Julie Dunlap, who chaired the search committee on behalf of ELI’s board. “From early learning classrooms to the halls of the Statehouse, Erin has been steeped in every aspect of the work and never loses sight of its essential purpose.”
Kissling earned her master’s degree in education from Ball State University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in philanthropic leadership at Indiana University, Indianapolis.
“It is an honor to have been selected to lead Early Learning Indiana, an organization with a long history and a mission as critical today as it was when it started 125 years ago,” Kissling said. “ELI will continue to act with urgency, knowing that we have just a short window of opportunity to build a solid foundation for Indiana’s children to thrive – not only in kindergarten, but throughout their lives.”
In addition to operating Day Early Learning schools, Early Learning Indiana is the state’s leading voice for ensuring children have access to high-quality early care and education. ELI informs teaching practice and public policy through research; designs and pilots effective early education models; and invests in community-led and statewide initiatives that expand access and drive better outcomes for children.
As President and CEO, Kissling will lead an organization of 350 employees. She will develop and implement the organization’s strategy, design new and innovative programs and advance the ELI mission by establishing productive relationships with community-based organizations, the business community, philanthropic organizations, and policymakers.
The announcement concludes a national search that was assisted by executive search firm Kittleman and Associates. Kissling will succeed Maureen Weber, who announced in June that she would be stepping down after eight years of leading the organization.