Welcome to MNAFEE — Strengthen • Connect • Lead
Thank you for being part of MNAFEE, a community empowering early childhood professionals across Minnesota. We are a network built on collaboration, advocacy, and a shared commitment to supporting families and early childhood educators. Your involvement strengthens this work, and together we connect with purpose and lead with impact.
Below, you'll find introductions from MNAFEE leadership, including our co-chairs and executive director who help guide and shape our shared mission.
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Stephanie Berwald — Co-Chair, MNAFEE Board
Email: [email protected] Stephanie is the ECFE Supervisor with St. Paul Public Schools and has served on the MNAFEE Board for four years, including roles as Chair of the Membership Committee and member of the Conference Committee. "I'm energized by the work ahead and grateful to collaborate with such a passionate community." |
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Sarah Moline — Co-Chair, MNAFEE Board
Email: [email protected] Sarah is the Early Learning Administrator for Shakopee Public Schools. Over the years, she has served on the 50th ECFE Anniversary, Communications, and Awards Committees. "I continue to be inspired by this community's dedication to children, families, and early learning, and I look forward to connecting with you." |
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Rachel Chrastil — Executive Director, MNAFEE
Email: [email protected] Rachel joined MNAFEE in June and also serves as Executive Coordinator for the National Parenting Education Network (NPEN). "I'm excited to connect with local educators and learn from the deep expertise within this community." |
Get Involved: Join a Committee
We're proud of the collective work happening across MNAFEE as we strengthen our field, connect with one another, and lead the future of early childhood education in Minnesota. Our committees are where passion meets action—and we need your voice, expertise, and energy.
Explore our committees below and discover where you can make an impact. Whether you're new to MNAFEE or a longtime member, there's a place for you to contribute, grow, and help empower early childhood professionals across the state.
Ready to join? Contact us or reach out directly to committee leaders to learn more about getting involved.
We're proud of the collective work happening across MNAFEE as we strengthen our field, connect with one another, and lead the future of early childhood education in Minnesota. Our committees are where passion meets action—and we need your voice, expertise, and energy.
Explore our committees below and discover where you can make an impact. Whether you're new to MNAFEE or a longtime member, there's a place for you to contribute, grow, and help empower early childhood professionals across the state.
Ready to join? Contact us or reach out directly to committee leaders to learn more about getting involved.
Advocacy Committee
Chair: Jen Jaros
Email: [email protected]
Chair: Jen Jaros
Email: [email protected]
- The Advocacy Committee supports the mission of MNAFEE with goals of advancing local and statewide legislation, policy, and funding that enhance opportunities for early learning programs across the State of Minnesota. Additionally, the Advocacy Committee is responsible for making direct contact with state elected officials to advocate MNAFEE's legislative priorities and other key issues and provide strategic direction on lobbying initiatives.
Annual Awards Committee
Chair: Nancy Wallace
Email: [email protected]
Chair: Nancy Wallace
Email: [email protected]
- The Annual Awards Committee assists the Board by continuously evaluating MNAFEE's awards program (including all policies relative to the granting of awards) by establishing new awards, and by implementing award presentation procedures. Further, the Awards Policy Committee reviews and approves all award recommendations of the various awards.
Annual Conference Committee
Chair: Sarah Holmboe
Email: [email protected]
Chair: Sarah Holmboe
Email: [email protected]
- The Annual Conference Committee coordinates the development and delivery of professional development training at the Annual Conference for MNAFEE members along with early childhood professionals from across the state. The objective of this committee is to provide meaningful, timely, and engaging opportunities for professional improvement and to add valuable skills to professional and personal toolboxes.
Board of Directors Nomination Committee
Chair: Nancy Wallace
Email: [email protected]
Chair: Nancy Wallace
Email: [email protected]
- Nominating committee members work together to form the best process for recruiting and nominating candidates and develop a basic application for the positions that they're seeking to fill so they can learn more about the candidates and assess their degree of interest in a leadership position. The Board of Directors Nomination Committee is responsible for recruiting candidates for the board of directors.
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Fall Workshop Committee
Co-Chair: Lisa Helgestad Email: [email protected] Co-Chair: Ellen Haefner Email: [email protected] |
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The Fall Workshop Committee coordinates the development and delivery of professional development training at the fall workshop for MNAFEE members as well as early childhood professionals from across the state. The objective of this committee is to offer meaningful, timely, and engaging opportunities for professional development, helping you add valuable skills to both your professional and personal toolboxes.
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Marketing & Communications Committee
Chair: Mischelle Squire
Email: [email protected]
communities across Minnesota.
Chair: Mischelle Squire
Email: [email protected]
- The Communications Committee provides marketing assistance to all MNAFEE committees and the membership, including, developing email announcements, social media coordination, signage, flyers, photography, etc. Plus recommends new ways for MNAFEE to reach and engage members along with early childhood professionals across the state.
communities across Minnesota.
Membership Committee
Chair: Barbara Eckberg
Email: [email protected]
The Membership Committee has the important task of working to ensure MNAFEE membership is valuable, meaningful, and inclusive for all. This committee reaches out to new and prospective members to help them feel welcomed and encourages them to become actively involved.
Chair: Barbara Eckberg
Email: [email protected]
The Membership Committee has the important task of working to ensure MNAFEE membership is valuable, meaningful, and inclusive for all. This committee reaches out to new and prospective members to help them feel welcomed and encourages them to become actively involved.