Report on Leadership Transition at the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details the appointment of Alison Fraga as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of Sarasota County, effective September 29. The transition in leadership is analyzed in the context of the organization’s mission and its direct contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

2.0 Appointment Details

• Appointee: Alison Fraga
• Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Organization: Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County
• Effective Date: September 29
• Predecessor: Janet Kahn, founding CEO
• Selection Process: The appointment was recommended by a Transition & Search Committee composed of community stakeholders, including heads of local early childcare providers and members of area foundations, demonstrating a commitment to collaborative governance (SDG 17).

3.0 Profile of the Incoming CEO

Alison Fraga brings extensive experience in early learning and nonprofit management. Her previous role and accomplishments highlight a strong alignment with the ELC’s objectives.

1. Previous Position: Chief Development Officer for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County.
2. Key Responsibilities: Served on the leadership team, overseeing communications, community engagement, strategic partnership development, and development efforts.
3. Significant Accomplishments:
   • Secured over $2 million in annual grant funding to support early childhood programs.
   • Led outreach and programming strategies focused on kindergarten readiness and quality early education.

4.0 Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The work of the ELC of Sarasota County, furthered by this new leadership, directly supports the achievement of key SDGs.

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The ELC’s core mission is to ensure children have access to high-quality early childhood development and pre-primary education. Ms. Fraga’s proven success in funding and programming for kindergarten readiness directly contributes to Target 4.2, which aims to prepare all children for primary education.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By providing tools and opportunities for all families, the ELC works to mitigate educational disparities from an early age. This commitment promotes social inclusion and equal opportunity, aligning with Target 10.2.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The appointment of Ms. Fraga, a woman succeeding the female founding CEO, exemplifies women’s full participation and equal opportunities for leadership in public life, supporting Target 5.5. Furthermore, access to quality childcare enables more women to participate in the labor force, promoting economic empowerment.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Ms. Fraga’s expertise in developing strategic partnerships and the collaborative nature of her selection process underscore the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve sustainable development objectives.

5.0 Stakeholder Commentary

Statements from key stakeholders reflect confidence in the new leadership’s ability to advance the organization’s mission in line with community values and sustainable development principles.

• Kevin Cooper, ELC Board Chair: Described Ms. Fraga as a “proven ‘families-first’ leader” who possesses the “passion, compassion and creativity needed to transform service delivery.”
• Alison Fraga, Incoming CEO: Expressed her commitment to joining a community that “works tirelessly to ensure that families and providers are given the tools and opportunities needed to succeed,” reinforcing the ELC’s role in fostering an enabling environment for quality education (SDG 4) and reducing inequality (SDG 10).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 4: Quality Education

     The article is centered on the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) of Sarasota County, an organization whose entire mission relates to education. Specific phrases like “early learning,” “kindergarten readiness,” and “early childhood programs” directly connect the ELC’s work to the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, particularly at the foundational, pre-primary level.

   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

     The article emphasizes the collaborative nature of the ELC and its new CEO’s role. It mentions that Alison Fraga’s responsibilities include “community engagement, key stakeholder and strategic partnership development.” Furthermore, her hiring committee was composed of “community stakeholders,” “heads of local early child care providers,” and “members of area foundations,” which exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential to achieving the SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 4.2

     This target aims to “ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.” The article directly addresses this through its focus on the ELC’s work in leading “outreach and programming strategies to support kindergarten readiness and early childhood programs.” The stated goal of giving “families and providers… the tools and opportunities needed to succeed” aligns perfectly with this target.

   • Target 17.17

     This target is to “encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The article demonstrates this target in action. The ELC itself is a civil society partnership, and Fraga’s achievement of “securing more than $2 million in annual grant funding” is a direct result of building on the “resourcing strategies of partnerships.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Indicator for Target 4.2

     The article implies a qualitative indicator for measuring the quality of pre-primary education. The emphasis on achieving “kindergarten readiness” suggests that the preparedness level of children entering primary school is a key metric used by the ELC to measure the success of its programs and its progress toward Target 4.2.

   • Indicator for Target 17.17

     The article provides a clear, quantifiable indicator for this target. The statement that Fraga was successful in “securing more than $2 million in annual grant funding” serves as a direct measure of the financial resources mobilized through partnerships. This aligns with the official indicator 17.17.1, which tracks the value of resources committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 4: Quality Education	Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.	Implied Indicator: The level of “kindergarten readiness” achieved by children in early childhood programs.
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.	Mentioned Indicator: The amount of financial resources mobilized, specifically “securing more than $2 million in annual grant funding.”

Source: heraldtribune.com