Meet Maisah Williams-Foote

With over twenty years of experience, Maisah has dedicated herself to guiding the strategic direction and successful implementation of early childhood organizations, fostering both nonprofit and for-profit business development, and managing federal and state-funded initiatives aimed at addressing systemic barriers to quality education for children and their families. Her unwavering dedication to achieving concrete results fuels her passion as an enthusiastic educator and learner.  

Maisah joined the Council in April 2022 and assumed her role as Community Development Manager in December 2022. In this newly formed position, her primary focus is on empowering leaders in the early childhood education sector from various backgrounds to achieve their workforce development and career pathways organizational goals. She supports organizational endeavors to advance equity by providing workforce development and career pathway solutions for educators working in early childhood education across the nation. 

Maisah's journey in early childhood education took an unconventional path. Initially planning to attend Law School after earning her BA in Law and Justice with a focus on social justice from Rowan University (NJ), she accepted a temporary role managing an arts-based afterschool program for elementary-age children at a nonprofit program associated with her home church. This experience shifted her perspective on working with children. Shortly afterward, she agreed to serve as the "temporary" Pre-K Lead Teacher and Director for a new State Pre-K program initiated by the same nonprofit organization. As she completed courses to obtain her Pre-3rd Grade certification from The College of New Jersey and prepared for the birth of her first child, Omari Blessing, Maisah realized her life's purpose would revolve around ensuring high-quality education and care for all children, beginning with her own. The temporary roles she accepted were a part of the ultimate plan for life.  

Throughout her extensive career, Maisah consistently demonstrated her commitment to developing and implementing highly effective community programs for young children and their families. She thrives on collaborating with internal teams and external partners who share a common mission focused on the critical early years of a child's development. 

One of Maisah's pivotal roles was her ten-year tenure as the Executive Director and Director of Preschool Services at True Servant CDC in Trenton, New Jersey, where her passion for early childhood education was nurtured. She later moved into the role of Board Chair, before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in 2012. Maisah has been fortunate to serve in various roles within the early childhood field. 

Highlights from her professional journey include: 

• Community Development Manager at The Council for Professional Recognition, including previous CCR&R roles in both New Jersey (Child Care Connection) and Georgia (Quality Care for Children) as a CDA Instructor 
• Contract Program Manager at BCT Partners and ICF International, Office of Head Start Customer Service Improvement Project, Administration for Children and Families  
• Member of the inaugural DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion) Commission at the Office of Head Start, Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health, and Human Services 
• Early Childhood and QRIS Manager at Quality Care for Children in Georgia 
• Infant/Toddler Specialist at Booz Allen Hamilton 

Maisah's unwavering commitment to advancing excellence in early childhood education and fostering inclusive, equitable communities has left an enduring impact on the field. Her passion for driving positive change continues to inspire and shape the future of early childhood development and the nonprofit initiatives she leads. 

Recently, Maisah was elected to the Georgia Association for the Education of Young Children Board of Directors, where she serves as the VP of Administration and Organization and acts as the 2023 Annual Conference Chair. 

While she deeply appreciates her professional journey, Maisah finds her most profound daily inspiration in her two children, Omari, and Micah, who are her greatest life passion. Being their mother has served as her real-life classroom on how to support families and children during their most impressionable years. She aspires to continue her love and passion for children and the educators who nurture and care for them through her new initiative, "Beyond the Help," where she strives to empower early childhood educators to pursue their true life's passion and work. 

Five Fun Facts:

• I started modeling at 10 years old and joined the Elite Modeling Agency school at 12 years old. I still use the makeup application tools I learned in school.
• I go to Target as a mini vacation and to hide from my family because they have bad Wi-Fi.
• I was a Girl Scout and became a co-lead for my daughter’s troop until I realized that included outdoor camping. That will be a no for me.
• My first time officiating a funeral I was so nervous that I could not remember the Lord’s Prayer. I remembered that my daughter’s The Lord’s Prayer board book was in the back of the car. I memorized the prayer from the board book while walking into the cemetery. Another nod to the importance of children’s books. 😊

Maisah loves:

• Spending time with God.
• Loving on her kiddos, Omari, and Micah.
• Traveling for pleasure and for work. Exploring new places, meeting new people.
• Facetiming with her nephews.
• Decorating and finding sales.
• Dallas Cowboys – Dem Boys
• And she’s a T & T Girl (Target and Trader Joes)