Ed Condon serves as the Executive Director of Head Start WEST, where he works alongside the Association’s board, members, and staff to strengthen the Head Start community through training, partnerships, advocacy, and opportunities for connection.

A longtime leader and advocate for children and families, Ed believes strongly in the promise of early education and in the people who make that promise possible. He is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals and organizations to learn, grow, and build the skills needed to meet the challenges facing their communities.

“I am inspired by individuals committed to education in young children, their families as well as adults striving to self-develop. I believe in the promise of early education as an instrument to change lives. I believe in Head Start,” Ed says. “Looking back over my career, and even back to Head Start’s founding during the Great Society movement, it’s possible to state that never has Head Start been more important. Yet, now, as we approach the third decade of the 21st century, gale-force headwinds face at-risk children and families. Head Start is a life raft. And it needs all hands committed to its existence.”

Ed’s career has been deeply rooted in early education and professional development. Before joining Head Start WEST, he served as Senior Director of Professional Development for the National Head Start Association and as Executive Director of the California Head Start Association. He was also the co-founder and owner of Montessori Learning Commons, Inc., a community of early education, elementary, and adult training schools in Sacramento that served more than 500 families across six locations.

Today, Ed remains an active trainer and consultant, sharing his experience in leadership, nonprofit strategy, and early education with organizations and leaders across the field. Under his leadership, Head Start WEST has continued to expand its training, services, partnerships, and opportunities for members throughout the West.

A graduate of California State University, Sacramento, Ed has continued his education through graduate education courses, nonprofit leadership certificate courses through Stanford Executive Education, and a Family Development Credential through Cornell University Extension. He is also a Certified Master Facilitator with The Leadership Challenge, a Wiley brand.

Ed’s commitment to community extends beyond his work with Head Start WEST. He has volunteered with AFS, a local high school student exchange program, and Family Promise Sacramento, which supports low-income families working toward lasting independence. He has also served on the boards of Californians for the Support of Early Education, the Child Development Policy Institute, and Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center.

Married, Ed is a proud father and grandfather. He is active in his hometown of Sacramento, supporting community-focused nonprofit associations and staying connected to the community he has called home throughout his career.