Our Staff
First Up works directly with early childhood educators and professionals. We provide them best-in-class training, specialized for their needs, and offer affordable technical assistance to ensure that organizations run effectively.
Executive Director
Carol Austin
carol.austin@firstup.org
Lisa Browne
Director of Early Learning and Equity Advancement
lisa.browne@firstup.org
Rachel Camacho
Sr. Early Learning Specialist
rachel.camacho@firstup.org
Alyssa Cruz
Early Childhood Education Program Manager
alyssa.cruz@firstup.org
Kate Luce
Early Learning Specialist
kate.luce@firstup.org
Shadeen Holmes
Sr. Early Learning Specialist
shadeen.holmes@firstup.org
Nhi Nguyen
Early Childhood Education Manager
nhi.nguyen@firstup.org
Shay Shuler
Early Learning Specialist
shay.shuler@firstup.org
Stephanie Simon
Early Childhood Education Program Leader
stephanie.simon@firstup.org
Kendra Thomas
Early Childhood Education Program Leader
kendra.thomas@firstup.org
Tiffany Thorpe
Sr. Early Learning Specialist
tiffany.thorpe@firstup.org
Tyrone Scott
Director of Government & External Affairs
tyrone.scott@firstup.org
Jackie Groetsch
Public Policy Manager
jackie.groetsch@firstup.org
Nari Kim
Development & Communications Manager
nari.kim@firstup.org
Sim Loh
Public Policy Specialist
sim.loh@firstup.org
Rosanna Matos
Sr. Public Policy Specialist
rosanna.matos@firstup.org
Elizabeth Farwell Ozer
Early Childhood Education Policy Leader
elizabeth.ozer@firstup.org
Ryan Rodriguez
Communications Specialist
ryan.rodriguez@firstup.org
Perrinda Williams
Public Policy Specialist
perrinda.williams@firstup.org
Ray Coxe
Director of Finance & Operations
ray.coxe@firstup.org
Jon Troncale
Technology Leader
john.troncale@firstup.org
Marylee Winters
Staff Accountant
marylee.winters@firstup.org
Drew Martin
Director of Program Operations
drew.martin@firstup.org
Christina Figueroa
Events Specialist
christina.figueroa@firstup.org
Lisa Kemmerer
Program Support Specialist
lisa.kemmerer@firstup.org
Sunil Narayan
Data Specialist
sunil.narayan@firstup.org
Charlene Nolten
Program Support Coordinator
charlene.nolten@firstup.org
Lisa Schultz
Program Strategist
lisa.schultz@firstup.org
Caroline Campana-Reynolds
Director of Workforce Strategy & Professional Learning
caroline.campana@firstup.org
Alix Cozen
Sr. Early Learning Specialist
alix.cozen@firstup.org
Nancy Nicewonger
Early Childhood Education Program Manager
nancy.nicewonger@firstup.org
James Nicholson
Early Learning Specialist
james.nicholson@firstup.org
Latrelle Nicholson
Sr. Early Learning Specialist
latrelle.nicholson@firstup.org
Jenn Schaum
Sr. Early Learning Specialist
jennifer.schaum@firstup.org
Lizette Woods
Early Childhood Education Program Manager
lizette.woods@firstup.org
Tieisha Young
Early Learning Specialist
tieisha.young@firstup.org