Over a decade ago, I became the Director of a small, rural Head Start program in Maine. I thought I knew what I was getting into. What a surprise to find it was a lot more complicated and I was awash! Enter Marianne Miller, mentor, friend, Head Start Director extraordinaire. I met Marianne at the New England Regional Conference and she happily took me under her wing, providing valuable guidance, support, and resources as I made my way through the first three years as a HS Director. Marianne's no nonsense, cut to the chase approach and her vast field of knowledge has made her one of the best Directors in our field. No challenge is too great for Marianne -not even the nasty spring flood that ruined the CVCAC home office a year ago this spring.

Marianne is also a champion for Head Start/Early Head Start, serving on the New England Head Start Association BOD and the NHSA BOD. Marianne is a leader at the local state, region, and national level, fighting to keep Head Start strong and serving those children and their families most in need.