About Us

Priscilla Weigel
Executive Director
Priscilla Weigel has worked with young children and families for 38 years. She has been a classroom teacher, staff development coordinator, mentor teacher, Early Childhood Consultant and Inclusion Coach. Priscilla started with CICC in 2012 as the Inclusion Coaching Coordinator. She currently works as the Executive Director, overseeing all staff and programming. In addition to successfully including and supporting children with special needs in community settings, Priscilla presents to teachers, parents and early care and education professionals throughout Minnesota and nationally.

Beth Menninga
Relationship Based Professional Development Manager
menninga@inclusivechildcare.org
Beth has been in the early childhood field for almost forty years. Her work has primarily focused on professional development efforts in the content areas of of infant toddler care giving, early literacy and early math. She has been with CICC since 2018, supporting the work of the Infant Toddler Specialist Network team through professional development, mentoring and developing local community partnerships. She is also supporting the full team of CICC RBPD Specialists and coordinating RBPD efforts with other CICC team members.

Amy Petersen
Finance Manager
petersen@inclusivechildcare.org
Amy has been with CICC for over 18 years. In her role as finance manager, Amy handles all billing, budgeting and record-keeping. She works alongside the executive director to establish our budgets and ensure each fiscal year runs smoothly.

Alicia Sandness
Human Resources Manager
Alicia currently serves as the Human Resources Manager with CICC. She has spent over 18 years in the human resources field. Much of Alicia’s work has been in compensation, talent acquisition, performance management, and employee relations management. She also has expertise in policy development, HRIS system implementation, legal compliance and training. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and an MBA. Alicia started at CICC in 2020.

Becky Gillard
Coaching Intake and Data Coordinator
gillard@inclusivechildcare.org
Becky has been in the early childhood field for over 17 years. Her focus has been on program development and continuous quality improvement. She currently works as the Health and Safety Coordinator with CICC, coordinating the implementation of coaching, supporting coaches and developing systems for program development and supporting coaches. Becky has been with CICC since 2017.

Becky Espersen
Learning and Development Specialist
espersen@inclusivechildcare.org
Becky currently assists the whole CICC team, serving as the Learning Resources Support. She maintains the resource library, supports the success of our coaching program and provides technical assistance to those accessing our online courses. She has worked with children most of her life- in both child care centers and as an elementary and substitute teacher. Becky enjoys helping children develop a love of learning. She has been with CICC since 2017.

Brenda Lowe
Coach Mentor
Brenda Lowe has over 19 years of experience in early childhood. She has served as the director at numerous child care centers, operated her own family child care, and worked as the Director of Family Services at Head Start. She is also a trainer and teaches in higher education. Brenda started at CICC in 2016 as a coach and currently serves as the Coach Mentor, supporting the work of CICC coaches in the field.

Nene Folorunso
Marketing and Communications Specialist
folorunso@inclusivechildcare.org
Nene has over 10 years of experience as a communications and marketing professional. She has contributed to various organizations by helping them adopt effective communication strategies that lead to growth and visibility. She also has expertise in crisis communication and interactive media relations. She holds a master’s degree in strategic communications management. Nene started at CICC in 2020 where she serves as the Marketing and Communications Specialist.

Cindy Croft
Founder
Cindy Croft was the Executive Director of the Center for Inclusive Child Care from its beginning in 1995 as Project EXCEPTIONAL until her retirement in 2019. She led the CICC from a training project to a stand-alone nonprofit in that time and leaves a legacy of inclusion of children with special needs in quality settings and the positive social emotional development of all children. She promoted collaboration between early educators, the families they served and CICC partners in early childhood through relationship-based professional development, training, technical assistance, and leadership. She was in the early childhood field for over 25 years.

Aisha Moallin
RBPD Specialist

Angeline Kallhoff
RBPD Specialist
Anna Skaro
RBPD Specialist

Arielle Handevidt
RBPD Specialist

Dana Ellingson
RBPD Specialist

Fadumo Hassan
RBPD Specialist

Firdaus Aden
Somali Community Liaison

Hortensia Leon
Spanish Community Liaison

Jackie Johnson
RBPD Specialist

Jacy Nylander
RBPD Specialist

Kara Kuehn
RBPD Specialist
Karen Trewartha-Weiner
RBPD Specialist

Kim Hemberger
RBPD Specialist
Kim Woehl
RBPD Specialist

Kris Hellwig
RBPD Specialist

Laura Walser
RBPD Specialist
Pam Walz
RBPD Specialist

Rachel Hauschildt
RBPD Specialist
Sandy Heidemann
RBPD Specialist

Sue Chaffee
RBPD Specialist
Sue Heisler
RBPD Specialist

Tari Niemeyer
RBPD Specialist
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Karen Fogolin-Board Chair
Associate Director Child Care Aware of MN - Retired
Barbara O'Sullivan-Treasurer
Minnesota Department of Education - Retired
Dr. Amy Susman-Stillman
Director of Evaluation
Northside Achievement Zone
Research Associate
Future Services Institute - Humphrey School of Public Affairs
University of Minnesota
Heidi Hagel-Braid
Chief Program Officer
First Children’s Finance National Office
Dr. Molly Harney
Associate Professor Early Childhood Studies
Department of Education
University of Minnesota - Duluth
Jen Hovelsrud
Vice President of Content Marketing Strategy
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Laura Beth Landy
Finance and Accounting Consultant
Nonprofit organizations
Pat Pulice, M.A., L.P.
Vice President of Integrated Health Care
Fraser
Vision:
We envision a society in which all children have opportunities for successful inclusion in community settings and parents and professionals have access to resources that support each child’s optimal development.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Center for Inclusive Child Care is to be a centralized, comprehensive, and responsive resource network supporting quality care for children in community settings.
Core Values:
- Children should have access to participation in quality care and education in all community settings.
- The relationship between children and their families is integral to their health and well-being.
- In order to be both responsive and effective, quality settings must support both children and families.
- Consistent communication and effective collaboration are essential in supporting children, families and the professionals who work with them.
- Effective inclusion is accomplished through the development and dissemination of resources and supports.