In 2023, ACNJ welcomed Winifred Smith-Jenkins as the Director of Early Learning Policy and Advocacy. With an impressive professional background spanning over two decades in managing three successful family-owned child care programs in northern New Jersey, Winifred brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role at ACNJ. Her expertise in child care and […]
Staff Categories: Early Childhood
Diane Dellanno
Diane Dellanno, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a policy analyst and member of the early childhood team at ACNJ. Her primary role has been to develop an infant/toddler advocacy campaign to improve early learning policies, programs and funding for infants and toddlers in New Jersey. Diane has authored several issue briefs on topics related […]
Cindy Shields
Cindy joined the ACNJ Early Learning Team in July 2024 as Senior Policy Analyst for Early Childhood. Until that time, she served the children and families of Middlesex County during a 30-year tenure at the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy. She began working at the Y as a teacher after graduating from […]
Echo Sutterfield
Echo, a Louisiana native and seasoned Project Manager, is a member of ACNJ’s Early Learning Team. She has a bachelor’s degree in education, and spent her early career teaching in Louisiana, Japan, and Croatia. She was later inspired to make a broader impact, leading her to pursue and obtain a master’s degree in nonprofit management, […]
