Elevate 19 — Elevate

JUNE 1, 2019 | Omaha, NE

Keynote Speaker | Louise Stoney

Co-founder of Opportunities Exchange

Louise Stoney is an independent consultant specializing in early care and education finance and policy, and Co-Founder of both Opportunities Exchange and the Alliance for Early Childhood Finance. Louise has worked with state and local governments, foundations, national policy organizations, early care and education (ECE)providers, industry intermediaries and child advocacy groups in more than40 states and cities. Louise has worked in partnership with a host of national organizations –including the Alliance for Early Success, BUILD Initiative, QRIS National Learning Network, Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Pritzker Children’s Initiative–and many others–to help state policymakers and ECE leaders model program costs, revise subsidy policy and rate-setting strategies, re-visit QRIS standards and procedures, craft new approaches to contracting and voucher management, and more. She also provides strategic leadership to the national Shared Services movement, which is focused on transforming the business of early care and education to improve outcomes for children. Many public and private organizations have sought Louise’s expertise to craft new financing strategies and policy options as well as write issue briefs and articles on challenging topics. She was instrumental in creating Louisiana’s innovative School Readiness Tax Credits and has written and spoken extensively on “The Iron Triangle” of ECE Finance as well as financing infant-toddler care.

Keynote Speaker | Heidi Hagel Braid

Chief Program Officer at First Children’s Finance

Heidi Hagel Braid is the Chief ProgramOfficer at First Children’s Finance, a nonprofit organization focused on increasing the sustainability and supply of high quality childcare businesses. Hagel Braid leads efforts to create, implement and communicate early care and education business strategies that lead to a well-paid workforce, more sustainable and accessible high quality care, and improved outcomes for children. She specializes in the expansion of programs and services into new states and regions, including increasing states’ capacity to address early care and education business needs and opportunities for alignment of resources. Hagel Braid joined First Children’s Finance as the Regional Director, Minnesota and theDakotas, in 2012, bringing over 15 years of nonprofit experience and a strong history working on the behalf of children and families.In 2013, Heidi launched the Rural Child CareInnovation Program, an innovative effort linking rural economic development and child care.She has also led the development of national childcare business analysis tools that assess the financial operations of family child care businesses.

Elevate 19 | Sessions

HUMAN RESOURCES

Pam Stanton | HR Director at NECC

Learn about best practices in hiring and employee management and how this candeliver an advantage for your business.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Alexandria (Lexi) Crampton | Knowledge and Learning Strategist, All Our Kin
Ariana Shapiro | Business Mentor Coach, All Our Kin

When family child care providers learn to master business skills, they raise their wages and guarantee the sustainability of high-quality education for the children in their programs. This session will share marketing and record-keeping strategies that family child care providers can implement to increase their enrollment and save up to thousands of dollars per year in tax deductions. All Our Kin will also share an exciting new pilot available for family child care providers in Nebraska.

Heidi Hagel Braid | CPO at First Children’s Finance

How are you using enrollment trends, financial information and business metrics to drive innovation in your child care program? Explore how CenterDirectors can use real-time business information to let go of a “we’ve always done it this way” mentality and create positive change in your business.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Umeda Islamova | Director/Consultant at Nebraska BusinessDevelopment Center

NBDC helps strengthen NE businesses for a healthy economy and prosperous communities. Consultants provide confidential, impartial services and educational opportunities for established and start-up businesses, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

MARKETING

Kelly Medwick | EVP of Business Development at Firespring

Marketing tactics for early child care professionals. Effectively marketing yourorganization within your community - how to build your waitlist

RISK/INSURANCE

Kim E. Coonrod | Director, Loss Control - Markel Specialty

“Keeping minor upsets from becoming major mishaps” - Identify hazards anddiscuss solutions within child care that will allow you to maintain a safe and healthyenvironment allowing you to protect those that have been entrusted to your care.

Susan J Tonniges | Owner of Susan J Tonniges, CPA, PC

This session will discuss organizing your business income and expenses when preparingfor income taxes. You will visit the different types of payments you receive as well asdeductible expenses and review the recommendations of several IRS publications. Thisinteractive session is designed to help reinforce your current record-keeping system orhelp you discover deductible items you may not even be aware of.

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

Tracy Gordon | Co-executive Director at NEAEYC
Lynn Vollbracht | Center Director at NE Family Child Care Association
Jill Snyder | Project Coordinator at NEAEC
Kim Chase | Director atNebraska Family Child Care Association

Explore a variety of leadership styles and reflect on your current leadership styles and how these are impacting your early childhood programs. Participants will gain a better understanding of the importance of personal self-awareness and reflection and how these concepts relate to their leadership styles.