New Appoints Position Organization for Expansion Amid State Investments, Strategic Partnerships

DAY ONE Early Learning Community, a nonprofit dedicated to brain-building early education and early childhood career-building opportunities for adults, announced the appointments of Madeline Henriquez as Executive Director, marking a new chapter in the organization’s growth, and Dr. Julie Riess as its first Chief Early Education Officer.

The new roles position the organization for rapid growth and expansion, as DAY ONE increases statewide visibility and sees rising demand for its programs. This momentum is bolstered by significant state and federal investments, including New York’s FY 2026 allocation of $2.2 billion for state-wide early childhood education and care - funding that DAY ONE championed alongside partners to advance equitable access and high-quality care for families across the state.

“DAY ONE is modeling what it means to lead with vision,” said Geraldine Laybourne, Co-Founder, and Board Chair. “Madeline brings the drive and purpose needed to tackle the childcare crisis, grounded in a deep commitment to social justice. Julie, as DAY ONE’s first Early Education Officer, is a visionary educator who will lead new efforts to expand quality early learning and build innovative career pathways.”

DAY ONE continues expansion of its Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (TAP) program - an 11-week, paid, hands-on training initiative that prepares aspiring educators for careers in early childhood education. Apprentices engage in immersive, practice-based learning and graduate ready to lead classrooms or launch home-based programs. The model has seen early and growing success, with more than 100 early childhood educators trained and over 90% of DAY ONE’s Pre-K students demonstrating kindergarten-ready math skills.

DAY ONE’s efforts have earned the support of state and federal leaders committed to addressing the nation’s growing child care and workforce crises. Earlier this year, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spotlighted DAY ONE as part of a $1.2 million federal investment to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care in New York - calling the model a solution to both care and workforce gaps. New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon has praised DAY ONE’s dual mission: “By providing both affordable, high-quality early learning and hands-on training for aspiring teachers, DAY ONE is a vital partner in our mission to ensure no parent has to choose between a job they love and care for their children.”

Madeline Henriquez is a widely recognized and longtime community leader and advocate, noted for bridging systems and communities with compassion and strategy. As DAY ONE’s Associate Director, she has been central to DAY ONE’s early growth and success, leading program innovation, operational excellence, and coalition-building across the Hudson Valley.

“At DAY ONE, we are building scalable solutions that invest in and empower early childhood educators, because sustainable change begins with a strong workforce and community infrastructure,” said Henriquez. “This work is about more than addressing immediate needs - it’s about building a stronger, more equitable future. Leading DAY ONE is both a responsibility and a calling to drive lasting, systemic change.”

Dr. Julie Riess, developmental psychologist and DAY ONE co-founder, is a nationally recognized expert in the intersection of child development and early childhood education. She steps into the new role of Chief Early Education Officer to focus on the organization’s commitment to instructional excellence. Riess, who taught at Vassar College for 27 years, designed the TAP curriculum and will now lead curriculum development, educator coaching, and quality assurance across all sites. Riess called the transition a “joyful, pinnacle moment” in her life’s work.

Together, Henriquez and Riess will lead efforts to integrate community-driven insights with academic expertise, advancing a future where children, families, and educators are positioned to succeed.

To learn more about DAY ONE Early Learning, visit www.dayoneearlylearning.org.

About DAY ONE Early Learning Community

DAY ONE Early Learning Community is a nonprofit based in Poughkeepsie, NY that combines high-quality early education for children from birth to age five with career-building opportunities for adults. Through its Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (TAP), members within the community train to become early educators while earning a living wage. DAY ONE’s classrooms support joyful, brain-building learning during the most critical years of development, and help families build greater stability at home. It’s a full-circle approach that supports learning, stability, and opportunity.

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DAY ONE’s efforts have earned the support of state and federal leaders committed to addressing the nation’s growing child care and workforce crises.