The Head Start WEST Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of four states – Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada – and individuals seated on the board as friends. The board meets regularly, often attached to conferences and institutes.
For a specific schedule of board meetings, contact HSW office at (916) 259-0971 ext. 101 or email headstartr9@region9hsa.org
Natalie Alvarez has been with the Greater Phoenix Urban League (GPUL) for over 25 years and is now the Chief Operating Officer. She has dedicated her career to working with children and families; the GPUL provides one of the largest Head Start programs in the city of Phoenix, providing services to Phoenix’s most vulnerable populations. Natalie partnered with State of Black Arizona on the No Ceilings on Success. The team has been meeting with the community to not only bring awareness around the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State plan, but to hold the State leaders accountable. Natalie has served in several roles on the Executive Board for the Arizona Head Start Association for over 14 years.
Wassy Tesfa, Executive Director of Pacific Clinics Head Start in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Tesfa is the longest standing Chair of the Head Start WEST. Under her leadership, Head Start WEST has grown from a voluntary lead organization with one annual event, to a high impact community resource, staffed by three professionals, and touching over 5000 individuals this past program year. In collaboration with her colleagues on the Board as well as national consultants and advisors, Wassy has steered Head Start WEST to be a force of change and innovation.
Bill’s career started in Seattle in the early 80’s in business banking, with specialized training from the American Institute of Banking (AIB) and a finance degree from Columbia Pacific University.
Shortly after, Bill started volunteering in the community with United States Triathlon Series and a few years later, with Head Start. In 1985, Bill moved from Seattle, Washington to Davis, CA.
Bill has spent 20 years in the non-profit sector serving in a multitude of positions from line staff to executive roles. He thoroughly understands partnerships and collaboration and has proven his ability to bring groups and individuals together for a common cause throughout California. Bill was instrumental in utilizing a Domestic Peace Corps program, known as AmeriCorps, in social and health services, where it had never been done before. This effort led to maximizing nonprofit existing resources, therefore
expanding services, and building partnerships throughout California.
Bill is highly recognized for his creative management solutions to address administrative, fiscal and program needs of non-profits. For the last fifteen years, he has served as a full-service broker and has a proven track record with current clients to reduce overhead, maximize employee benefits and increase efficiencies in all areas of non-profit administration.
Bill has been a guest speaker on several issues regarding leveraging existing
resources, assessing liabilities of the organization, understanding benefits and developing tailored specific employee benefit packages with various organizations and for conferences.
Bill serves as the President and Chairman of the Board for Mindful Insurance Solutions, Inc. He is excited about his role and he acts as a change agent in many cases, negotiating strategically to benefit the clients.
Bill is also a council member for two insurance carriers specializing in non-profits and is an executive board member of the Head Start WEST, Finance Committee Member of Yolo Hospice and the National Head Start Association. In addition, .Bill is a trainer for the California Head Start Association and advisor for the Training & Leadership Community.
Joshua D. Alvarez has been in the education field for over 30 years. Twelve of those years, directly in the classroom and thirteen of those years in administration as a Child Development Supervisor, Area Supervisor, Education Coordinator, Parent Involvement Coordinator and Program Director. He has also been a bilingual (English/Spanish) Education Consultant for the past 25 years. With an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, TK, Parent Engagement, Father Involvement and family support. He also has Elementary education experience. He has a M.A in Early Childhood Education, is CLASS Certified/ Reliable and is a Multicultural Certified Trainer.
He has given training locally and nationwide from California to New York, from Texas to Puerto Rico. He has consulted and trained educators from Resource and Referral Agencies, Delegate Early Head Start and Head Start/State Preschool Agencies to School Districts, Home Educators, Providers, parents, families, Government Air Base and Navy Base Child Care Programs and National conferences to regional conferences. He has trained administrative staff and educational staff of Los Angeles County Office of Education Grantee Office, Pomona Unified School District Head Start Staff, Community Action Partnership of Kern Staff, Kern County Association for the Education of Young Children and the Child Care Alliance of L.A.
He is also knowledgeable and has extensive experience with Early Head Start and Head Start/State Preschool Performance Standards, Curriculum, Frameworks, CLASS, Transition to School, Environmental Rating Scales, Desired Results, Ca. Learning Foundations and The Competencies.
He is the president for the Los Angeles County Fathers and Families Collaborative. He was a member of the Los Angeles County Office of Education Policy Council and was a member of The Los Angeles County Office of Education Collaborative Task Force on Education and the Los Angeles County Office of Education Business Round Table for Education. He is an “On Air” consultant for Public Television Series “A Place of Our Own/Los Niños en su Casa” and an approved trainer for the California Registry.
As an Education Consultant and a Territory Manager, he works very closely with Delegate Agencies, Child Care Programs, Home Care Providers, Resource and Referral Agencies, School Districts, First 5 Santa Barbara, First 5 Ventura Co., First 5 L.A., CAPPA, Every Child CA, NHSA, HSCA, CAEYC, NAEYC, Kern Co. AEYC, CALTECH, OC Office of Education and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
He has trained: The Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE Grantee) Fatherhood Conference, Los Angeles County RTT Coaches, Human Services Association, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, Hawaii HS, CDR Ventura RR, CALTECH STEM Conference, HSCA, NHSA, CAPPA, NAEYC, Mountain View SD, Plaza De La Raza HS, Region IX HS, So. Cal. Kindergarten/TK Conference, CQEL, OC Office of Ed. and The Washington D.C. Capitol Education Conference and more.
Megan Nielsen serves as an Vice President and Plan Advisor for Wealthspire’s Retirement Division. She brings with her 15 years of industry specific experience working in all areas of defined contribution plans, from plan design and administration to investment management and fiduciary compliance. She works with plan sponsors to ensure they comply with ERISA’s rigorous fiduciary standards. Additionally, she engages employees through both group and individual meetings. Megan has a strong passion for education which lends well to her ability to empower plan sponsors and individuals to achieve financial success. Her robust skill set encompasses creating and executing documented processes, tailored investment consulting, and ongoing fiduciary support. Megan has achieved industry certifications throughout her career, including Charter Retirement Plan Specialist and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor. She graduated from Manhattan College where she received her B.A. in Business Marketing and has passed the FINRA Series 6 (General Securities Representative), 65 (NASAA Investment Advisors Law Examination), and 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam) exams.
Natalie Alvarez has been with the Greater Phoenix Urban League (GPUL) for over 25 years and is now the Chief Operating Officer. She has dedicated her career to working with children and families; the GPUL provides one of the largest Head Start programs in the city of Phoenix, providing services to Phoenix’s most vulnerable populations. Natalie partnered with State of Black Arizona on the No Ceilings on Success. The team has been meeting with the community to not only bring awareness around the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State plan, but to hold the State leaders accountable. Natalie has served in several roles on the Executive Board for the Arizona Head Start Association for over 14 years.
Wassy Tesfa, Executive Director of Pacific Clinics Head Start in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Tesfa is the longest standing Chair of the Head Start WEST. Under her leadership, Head Start WEST has grown from a voluntary lead organization with one annual event, to a high impact community resource, staffed by three professionals, and touching over 5000 individuals this past program year. In collaboration with her colleagues on the Board as well as national consultants and advisors, Wassy has steered Head Start WEST to be a force of change and innovation.
Bill’s career started in Seattle in the early 80’s in business banking, with specialized training from the American Institute of Banking (AIB) and a finance degree from Columbia Pacific University.
Shortly after, Bill started volunteering in the community with United States Triathlon Series and a few years later, with Head Start. In 1985, Bill moved from Seattle, Washington to Davis, CA.
Bill has spent 20 years in the non-profit sector serving in a multitude of positions from line staff to executive roles. He thoroughly understands partnerships and collaboration and has proven his ability to bring groups and individuals together for a common cause throughout California. Bill was instrumental in utilizing a Domestic Peace Corps program, known as AmeriCorps, in social and health services, where it had never been done before. This effort led to maximizing nonprofit existing resources, therefore
expanding services, and building partnerships throughout California.
Bill is highly recognized for his creative management solutions to address administrative, fiscal and program needs of non-profits. For the last fifteen years, he has served as a full-service broker and has a proven track record with current clients to reduce overhead, maximize employee benefits and increase efficiencies in all areas of non-profit administration.
Bill has been a guest speaker on several issues regarding leveraging existing
resources, assessing liabilities of the organization, understanding benefits and developing tailored specific employee benefit packages with various organizations and for conferences.
Bill serves as the President and Chairman of the Board for Mindful Insurance Solutions, Inc. He is excited about his role and he acts as a change agent in many cases, negotiating strategically to benefit the clients.
Bill is also a council member for two insurance carriers specializing in non-profits and is an executive board member of the Head Start WEST, Finance Committee Member of Yolo Hospice and the National Head Start Association. In addition, .Bill is a trainer for the California Head Start Association and advisor for the Training & Leadership Community.
Natalie Alvarez has been with the Greater Phoenix Urban League (GPUL) for over 25 years and is now the Chief Operating Officer. She has dedicated her career to working with children and families; the GPUL provides one of the largest Head Start programs in the city of Phoenix, providing services to Phoenix’s most vulnerable populations. Natalie partnered with State of Black Arizona on the No Ceilings on Success. The team has been meeting with the community to not only bring awareness around the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) State plan, but to hold the State leaders accountable. Natalie has served in several roles on the Executive Board for the Arizona Head Start Association for over 14 years.
Wassy Tesfa, Executive Director of Pacific Clinics Head Start in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Tesfa is the longest standing Chair of the Head Start WEST. Under her leadership, Head Start WEST has grown from a voluntary lead organization with one annual event, to a high impact community resource, staffed by three professionals, and touching over 5000 individuals this past program year. In collaboration with her colleagues on the Board as well as national consultants and advisors, Wassy has steered Head Start WEST to be a force of change and innovation.
Joshua D. Alvarez has been in the education field for over 30 years. Twelve of those years, directly in the classroom and thirteen of those years in administration as a Child Development Supervisor, Area Supervisor, Education Coordinator, Parent Involvement Coordinator and Program Director. He has also been a bilingual (English/Spanish) Education Consultant for the past 25 years. With an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, TK, Parent Engagement, Father Involvement and family support. He also has Elementary education experience. He has a M.A in Early Childhood Education, is CLASS Certified/ Reliable and is a Multicultural Certified Trainer.
He has given training locally and nationwide from California to New York, from Texas to Puerto Rico. He has consulted and trained educators from Resource and Referral Agencies, Delegate Early Head Start and Head Start/State Preschool Agencies to School Districts, Home Educators, Providers, parents, families, Government Air Base and Navy Base Child Care Programs and National conferences to regional conferences. He has trained administrative staff and educational staff of Los Angeles County Office of Education Grantee Office, Pomona Unified School District Head Start Staff, Community Action Partnership of Kern Staff, Kern County Association for the Education of Young Children and the Child Care Alliance of L.A.
He is also knowledgeable and has extensive experience with Early Head Start and Head Start/State Preschool Performance Standards, Curriculum, Frameworks, CLASS, Transition to School, Environmental Rating Scales, Desired Results, Ca. Learning Foundations and The Competencies.
He is the president for the Los Angeles County Fathers and Families Collaborative. He was a member of the Los Angeles County Office of Education Policy Council and was a member of The Los Angeles County Office of Education Collaborative Task Force on Education and the Los Angeles County Office of Education Business Round Table for Education. He is an “On Air” consultant for Public Television Series “A Place of Our Own/Los Niños en su Casa” and an approved trainer for the California Registry.
As an Education Consultant and a Territory Manager, he works very closely with Delegate Agencies, Child Care Programs, Home Care Providers, Resource and Referral Agencies, School Districts, First 5 Santa Barbara, First 5 Ventura Co., First 5 L.A., CAPPA, Every Child CA, NHSA, HSCA, CAEYC, NAEYC, Kern Co. AEYC, CALTECH, OC Office of Education and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
He has trained: The Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE Grantee) Fatherhood Conference, Los Angeles County RTT Coaches, Human Services Association, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, Hawaii HS, CDR Ventura RR, CALTECH STEM Conference, HSCA, NHSA, CAPPA, NAEYC, Mountain View SD, Plaza De La Raza HS, Region IX HS, So. Cal. Kindergarten/TK Conference, CQEL, OC Office of Ed. and The Washington D.C. Capitol Education Conference and more.
Megan Nielsen serves as an Vice President and Plan Advisor for Wealthspire’s Retirement Division. She brings with her 15 years of industry specific experience working in all areas of defined contribution plans, from plan design and administration to investment management and fiduciary compliance. She works with plan sponsors to ensure they comply with ERISA’s rigorous fiduciary standards. Additionally, she engages employees through both group and individual meetings. Megan has a strong passion for education which lends well to her ability to empower plan sponsors and individuals to achieve financial success. Her robust skill set encompasses creating and executing documented processes, tailored investment consulting, and ongoing fiduciary support. Megan has achieved industry certifications throughout her career, including Charter Retirement Plan Specialist and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor. She graduated from Manhattan College where she received her B.A. in Business Marketing and has passed the FINRA Series 6 (General Securities Representative), 65 (NASAA Investment Advisors Law Examination), and 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam) exams.
Bill’s career started in Seattle in the early 80’s in business banking, with specialized training from the American Institute of Banking (AIB) and a finance degree from Columbia Pacific University.
Shortly after, Bill started volunteering in the community with United States Triathlon Series and a few years later, with Head Start. In 1985, Bill moved from Seattle, Washington to Davis, CA.
Bill has spent 20 years in the non-profit sector serving in a multitude of positions from line staff to executive roles. He thoroughly understands partnerships and collaboration and has proven his ability to bring groups and individuals together for a common cause throughout California. Bill was instrumental in utilizing a Domestic Peace Corps program, known as AmeriCorps, in social and health services, where it had never been done before. This effort led to maximizing nonprofit existing resources, therefore
expanding services, and building partnerships throughout California.
Bill is highly recognized for his creative management solutions to address administrative, fiscal and program needs of non-profits. For the last fifteen years, he has served as a full-service broker and has a proven track record with current clients to reduce overhead, maximize employee benefits and increase efficiencies in all areas of non-profit administration.
Bill has been a guest speaker on several issues regarding leveraging existing
resources, assessing liabilities of the organization, understanding benefits and developing tailored specific employee benefit packages with various organizations and for conferences.
Bill serves as the President and Chairman of the Board for Mindful Insurance Solutions, Inc. He is excited about his role and he acts as a change agent in many cases, negotiating strategically to benefit the clients.
Bill is also a council member for two insurance carriers specializing in non-profits and is an executive board member of the Head Start WEST, Finance Committee Member of Yolo Hospice and the National Head Start Association. In addition, .Bill is a trainer for the California Head Start Association and advisor for the Training & Leadership Community.
I have been to management workshops, not leadership training. This has totally changed my perspective and encouraged me to propel forward in developing my skills.
I am honored and humbled to be a recipient of the Head Start WEST’s Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship helped me get one step closer to achieving my goal of becoming a Head Start Director.
I took part in The disproportionate impact of COVID 19, and how to provide “real” support for black/brown children and families and I just want to say this was an amazing webinar. I hope we can look forward to further conversation on this topic.
Thank you so much for making events like this! I really enjoyed and learned so much teaching strategies to implement STEM in the classroom.
The HR Network was an excellent opportunity to network and learn the best practices from other HR professionals within Head Start programs. You will be amazed by the level of talent and experience of the participants.
The Summer Camp training was powerful and inspiring! Each presenter was very engaging, it’s hard to even pick a favorite session!
The Leadership Challenge training was very relevant to my work as a Head Start leader! Great facilitation; stayed with the program yet allowed time for individual and small group reflections.
Regular price $12.00
Regular price $39.00
Questions? Contact us at headstartr9@region9hsa.org.
