Meet the Teaching Preschool Partners Team
The mission of Teaching Preschool Partners is to strengthen quality preschool education for children facing barriers to success. SVP is invested to partner with Teaching Preschool Partners' leadership and help strengthen the organization in three key areas: developing marketing & communications tools and strategy, developing a business plan, developing a strategic plan. Meet the volunteer team behind this endeavor.
Cassie Buckroyd
In her role as Lead Partner, Cassie's 10 years of experience as an account executive are crucial. The relationship building, project management and team leadership parallel that professional expertise. As the investment with Teaching Preschool Partners progresses, her marketing and communications experience will prove helpful as well.
"I think Teaching Preschool Partners is doing innovative and cutting edge work in an area that desperately needs it. I also saw the role as Lead Partner as both a challenge and an opportunity to grow my skill set and learn more about capacity building and nonprofits. I'm learning so much already!"
Stephanie Feeney
Stephanie Feeney, PhD, has a strong background in early childhood education. She is Professor Emerita of Education at the University of Hawaii and Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Education at Portland State University. She is author of an early childhood education textbook, two books on ethics, and numerous other works. She has served on the Governing Boards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association for Early Childhood Teacher Educators, and is a member of the National Advisory Board of Defending the Early Years. She is eager to contribute her demonstrated expertise in early childhood education in partnership with Teaching Preschool Partners.
Boyce Smith
While working for Intel, Boyce implemented and managed processes, projects, engineering staff, material sourcing and suppliers, and meetings. He also taught classes on how to do all of these things. Since much of what SVP does for our Investees, including Teaching Preschool Partners, involves implementing or changing processes, and the planning and training needed to do so effectively and efficiently, his background is a great fit. He's currently absorbing all of the information he can to get a solid understanding of Teaching Preschool Partners' current processes."
I was looking for an SVP project where I could participate and contribute my professional expertise. The role of Strategic Advisor came up for Teaching Preschool Partners. At least initially, this investment is a nine month commitment where I can get involved when needed. Given I have never had this role with SVP, it should be interesting and I'm excited to see where it leads."
Julia Rodriguez
Julia is completing an MBA in sustainable systems at Pinchot University. Her studies have centered around entrepreneurship and organizational development. In the past year, she has launched a fashion accessories company and did an analysis for the fashion brand Eileen Fisher of start-up companies they have supported through grant funding. She enjoys working with companies and organizations to develop their structure and language for long term sustainability.
"Teaching Preschool Partners has the potential for impact in Oregon schools. I would like to see the ideas and hopes for the organization succeed. As a mother myself, I feel the need for more effective and holistic learning to take place in schools."
Jodi Jordan
Jodi brings over 15 years of marketing, communications, and brand activation to the Teaching Preschool Partners investment. She works for Umpqua, finding unique ways to activate the brand in major markets for the retail side of the bank. Activation and strategy can include anything from ice cream trucks, to dog treats, to community bike events, to film festivals, to sporting events, to design conferences. This will be Jodi's first SVP project since joining SVP in December 2015.
"I am excited to leverage my marketing experience and strategy for Teaching Preschool Partners and to work with the team to identify opportunities for the organization to tell a meaningful story to facilitate growth and brand awareness."