Early Childhood Top 10 Takeaways from SXSW EDU

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This past week, I had the opportunity to experience SXSW EDU from both sides of the stage – as a speaker and as an attendee. Immersing myself in numerous sessions and roundtable discussions, all focused on the future of education, I found myself inspired and quite frankly, in awe. The caliber of speakers and the depth of discussions affirmed how critical education is in shaping the future.

Artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the conversation across almost every category (nearly half the sessions offered were about AI and/or edtech). At times, it felt more like CES than an education conference. However, one thing that stood out was the fresh perspective on early childhood education – a topic that, even in this space, found itself intertwined with discussions of AI. One session even explored “AI in Early Childhood Education” which I believe reflects the rapid introduction & proliferation of AI and technology, in general.

A standout moment came during a roundtable discussion led by Michelle Kang, CEO of NAEYC – National Association for the Education of Young Children. The session sparked passionate discourse on the current and future state of early childhood education. Drawing from those conversations, here are my top 10 takeaways from SXSW EDU, specifically as they relate to the early childhood years (birth to five years):

1. Early Childhood Education Is Gaining Traction

For years, early childhood education has taken a backseat (“almost nonexistent” as other attendees pointed out) at SXSW EDU, but this year marked a shift. Its growing presence at the conference reflects a broader recognition of the field’s significance, perhaps an acknowledgment that the first five years of life are the most critical in a child’s development.

2. “It Takes a Village”

The phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” remains as relevant as ever. Education extends beyond the classroom – every interaction a child has, whether with a doctor, a family member, a religious leader or a community member, plays a role in their development and growth. This perspective reinforces the idea that learning doesn’t stop when school ends. It’s an ongoing process shaped by many different people and experiences.

3. Early Childhood Education Is a National Issue, Not a Partisan One

Michelle Kang emphasized that early childhood education must be seen as an integral part of the entire education system, not a separate entity. A national movement needs to challenge antiquated ideas to ensure that early learning is prioritized (in education policy, reporting, funding, etc.) and that there’s no room to politicize the issue.

4. Early Childhood Educators Deserve Better Pay and Respect

Educators working with children aged 0-5 are often undervalued, frequently mistaken for babysitters rather than trained professionals. This perception contributes to low wages and workforce shortages. Addressing this issue isn’t just about equity, it’s about improving outcomes for the students.

5. Early Education as an Anti-Poverty Strategy

Investing in early childhood education is one of the most effective long-term anti-poverty strategies. Research shows that a strong foundation in the early years can significantly reduce the likelihood of unemployment, incarceration and poor health outcomes later in life (just to name a few).

6. The Funding Dilemma: STEM in Early Education

Investing in STEM education at the high school level yields immediate returns on investment, making it attractive to funders. However, research suggests that introducing basic STEM concepts early on in a child’s life (even during preschool years), plays a crucial role in future academic success. Despite this data point, early STEM education remains significantly underfunded.

7. The Power of Storytelling in Advocacy

One of the most effective ways to push for change in early education is by amplifying and sharing success stories. Every community issue can, in some way, be traced back to early childhood education so it’s a relevant issue for all. Communicating these connections is essential in garnering public support and investment.

8. Mental Health Should Be a Priority

While awareness of the importance of mental health in early childhood education is growing, resources remain scarce, especially in rural areas. Additionally, some mental health professionals hesitate to work in early education settings due to liability concerns so addressing these gaps (while destigmatizing mental health/social emotional learning) is important to support the emotional well-being of our youngest learners. At Children’s Institute, we understand this, so we invest in mental health supports for all our early childhood programs – in the classroom and for the family.

9. Bridging the Gap Between Policymakers and Educators

A recurring frustration among attendees was the disconnect between classroom educators and policymakers & administrators. Teachers on the ground often feel unheard when policies are developed without considering the realities of their daily experiences. Ensuring that educators have a seat at the table is key to creating meaningful dialogue. Here in California, Head Start Advocacy Day will take place in Sacramento on March 18, where all sides will have an opportunity to share from their perspectives.

10. AI in Early Childhood Education?

The idea of integrating AI into early childhood education is met with both enthusiasm and skepticism. While AI has the potential to personalize learning experiences especially for neurodivergent students and language learners, its implementation should be guided by ethics. Establishing a framework for responsible AI use in early education is imperative as the technology continues to evolve.

SXSW EDU 2024 made one thing clear: early childhood education is critical in offering the best start for future success. With more awareness of its impact, the field seems to be gaining momentum, but significant challenges remain. Addressing issues of funding, compensation, mental health and policy alignment will require continued advocacy, investment and innovation. If this year’s conference is any indication, the conversation is one we can’t ignore. For more information on our approach to early childhood education, please visit www.childrensinstitute.org/early-childhood/.

 

Building Hope in the Community Through Community Health Workers

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How Children’s Institute’s Community Public Health Workers, Emiliana Gallardo and Alejandra Gonzalez-Rivas, Made a Difference for Laura Sandoval

In a moment of despair, Laura Sandoval found herself living in her car with her three grandchildren after being evicted from her home. But with the intervention of two compassionate Community Health Workers, Emiliana Gallardo and Alejandra Gonzalez-Rivas, her story took a turn for the better.

Laura first learned about the Community Public Health Team (CPHT) when a team member knocked on her door during outreach efforts. Despite her overwhelming circumstances, she found hope in their offer to help. She recalls how she broke down during her first interaction with the team, releasing emotions she had held back for too long. This emotional release marked the beginning of her journey toward stability and healing.

Addressing both immediate needs and long-term challenges

The CPHT provided Laura with critical support, connecting her to resources she desperately needed. They helped her secure financial assistance for rent and deposits, preventing her from falling deeper into homelessness. They also arranged therapy sessions, offering her emotional relief and mental health support during an extremely trying time. For Laura, this assistance transformed her life. Her story is one of resilience and the impact of thoughtful, community-centered care. Emiliana and Alejandra provided not only practical help but also emotional support, treating Laura and her family with dignity and respect. “They were like my guardian angels,” Laura said, reflecting on their timely intervention.

Through referrals to various organizations, Laura gained access to furniture, essential household items like a microwave and air conditioning, and ongoing care management through Enhanced Care Management (ECM). These resources allowed her to create a stable and nurturing environment for her grandchildren. Her journey underscores the importance of programs like CPHT in bridging gaps for underserved communities. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term challenges, Emiliana and Alejandra enabled Laura to move forward with confidence. Today, Laura is settled in her new home, and she expresses profound gratitude for the team’s unwavering support.

Laura’s story serves as a testament to the power of community health initiatives and the individuals who dedicate themselves to creating positive change. Emiliana and Alejandra’s efforts not only transformed one life but also set an example of what compassionate care can achieve.

Interview by: James K Miller Jr., Department of Public Health

 

Construyendo Esperanza en la Comunidad

En un momento de desesperaciĂłn, Laura Sandoval vivĂ­a en su automĂłvil con sus tres nietos tras ser desalojada de su hogar. Sin embargo, gracias a la intervenciĂłn de dos trabajadoras comunitarias de salud compasivas, Emiliana Gallardo y Alejandra Gonzalez-Rivas, su historia dio un giro hacia algo mejor.

Laura conoció al Equipo Comunitario de Salud Pública (CPHT, por sus siglas en inglés) cuando una integrante del equipo tocó a su puerta durante labores de alcance comunitario. A pesar de sus circunstancias abrumadoras, encontró esperanza en su oferta de ayuda. Recuerda cómo rompió en llanto durante su primera interacción con el equipo, liberando emociones que había reprimido durante mucho tiempo. Este momento marcó el comienzo de su camino hacia la estabilidad y la recuperación.

El CPHT brindó a Laura el apoyo crítico que necesitaba desesperadamente. La ayudaron a obtener asistencia financiera para el alquiler y los depósitos, evitando que cayera aún más en la falta de vivienda. También organizaron sesiones de terapia que le ofrecieron alivio emocional y apoyo para su salud mental en un momento extremadamente difícil. Para Laura, esta ayuda transformó su vida.

Su historia es de resiliencia y del impacto del cuidado comunitario centrado en las personas. Emiliana y Alejandra no solo ofrecieron ayuda práctica, sino también apoyo emocional, tratando a Laura y su familia con dignidad y respeto. “Fueron como mis ángeles guardianes”, dijo Laura al reflexionar sobre su oportuna intervención.

A través de referencias a varias organizaciones, Laura accedió a muebles, artículos esenciales para el hogar como un microondas y aire acondicionado, y manejo de cuidado continuo a través del programa ECM (Enhanced Care Management). Estos recursos le permitieron crear un entorno estable y acogedor para sus nietos.

Su historia destaca la importancia de programas como CPHT para cerrar brechas en comunidades desatendidas. Al abordar tanto las necesidades inmediatas como los desafíos a largo plazo, Emiliana y Alejandra ayudaron a Laura a avanzar con confianza. Hoy, Laura está establecida en su nuevo hogar y expresa una profunda gratitud por el apoyo constante del equipo.

La historia de Laura es un testimonio del poder de las iniciativas de salud comunitaria y de las personas que se dedican a crear un cambio positivo. Los esfuerzos de Emiliana y Alejandra no solo transformaron una vida, sino que también establecieron un ejemplo de lo que puede lograr el cuidado compasivo.

James K Miller Jr., Department of Public Health

Children’s Institute’s Resource Guide for Immigrants

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Children’s Institute is committed to ensuring that all our community —regardless of immigration status—have access to the essential resources, guidance, safety, and support they need during these challenging times. In moments of fear and uncertainty, we stand firmly with our immigrant children, families, and neighbors, and our commitment to them remains steadfast.

We will continue providing mental health services, early childhood programs, and health navigation support to all those in need. In addition, we will share timely updates, resources, and announcements on our website and other platforms to support immigrant families in our programs. Please be sure to check for updates regularly.

Click links below for resources and information.

Preparedness:

Know Your Rights:

Legal Assistance:

Mental Health:

Additional Resources:

Community Resources & Support for L.A. Wildfire Victims

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Dear community,

We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe during these challenging times as our hearts are heavy for each Angeleno who has been impacted by the devastating wildfires. We are truly at a loss for words to describe the pain and suffering so many of us Angelenos are facing and while we realize that repairing and rebuilding will take a long time, we hope to continue supporting our friends and communities along the way.

Please stay safe and refer to this list of resources to be informed, to obtain the help you and your loved ones need as well as to help those around you. Let’s be LA Strong.

Tax Extension for Wildfire Victims:

The IRS and the State of California will provide a tax extension for individuals and businesses affected by the devastating wildfires. For more information on this announcement, please read here.

Physical Safety & Needs:

Comprehensive List of Resources – Mutual Aid

List of Food Pantries across LA County

Emotional & Mental Health Needs:

988 Lifeline – Suicide Hotline

Mental Health Resources for Natural Disasters – LACDMH

Dial 1-800-985-5990 – Disaster Distress Hotline

Tips for Survivors Stress (English & Spanish) – SAMHSA

Tips for Talking to Children After a Traumatic Event (English & Spanish) – SAMHSA

Tips for Families of Disaster Responders – SAMHSA

Children & Recovery from Wildfires – Burn Foundation

Financial Resources:

Federal Emergency Management Agency – FEMA

Inclusive Action – an emergency fund for outdoor workers (including street vendors, landscapers and recyclers affected by the wildfires)

Motion Picture & Television Fund – provides financial assistance to working and retired members of the entertainment community.

Musicares – providing financial assistance to members of the music community.

Air Quality Resources:

What is Mesothelioma? – Asbestos.com

Wildfires May Spread Asbestos – Asbestos.com

70% Discount Off Medical-Grade Air Purifiers (limited time offer) – Air Doctor (email enterprise@idealliving.com)

Information to stay up to date:

The Benefit Navigator – Imagine LA

Wildfire Information – NAMI California

Stay Informed! – LA Fire Department

Current Emergency Incidents – Cal Fire

Wildfire Preparedness Guide – Cal Fire

Prepare Your “Go Bag” – Cal Fire

If you are in a place to help others, please consider volunteering with the following organizations:

Volunteer with the Dream Center of Los Angeles

Volunteer for the L.A. Wildfires – L.A. Works

Volunteer with the Red Cross

 

Estimada comunidad,

Esperamos que ustedes y sus seres queridos se mantengan a salvo durante estos tiempos difíciles, mientras nuestros corazones están apesadumbrados por cada angelino que se ha visto afectado por los devastadores incendios forestales. Realmente no tenemos palabras para describir el dolor y sufrimiento que muchos de nosotros los angelinos estamos enfrentando y, aunque sabemos que la reparación y reconstrucción llevarán mucho tiempo, esperamos seguir apoyando a nuestros amigos y nuestras comunidades a lo largo del camino.

Por favor, manténganse a salvo, y consulten esta lista de recursos para estar informados, obtener la ayuda que ustedes y sus seres queridos necesiten, y ayudar a aquellos que los rodean. Seamos tan fuertes como LA Strong.

PrĂłrroga del plazo para declarar los impuestos para las vĂ­ctimas de los incendios forestales:

El Servicio de Impuestos Internos y el estado de California dispondrán una prórroga del plazo para declarar los impuestos para las personas y empresas afectadas por los devastadores incendios forestales. Para obtener más información sobre este anuncio, por favor, lean aquí.

Seguridad y necesidades fĂ­sicas:

Lista completa de recursos – Mutual Aid

Lista de bancos de alimentos del condado de Los Angeles

Necesidades de salud emocional y mental:

LĂ­nea 988 de PrevenciĂłn del Suicidio y Crisis – LĂ­nea directa de prevenciĂłn del suicidio

Recursos de salud mental en caso de desastres naturales -LACDMH

Llame al 1-800-985-5990 – LĂ­nea directa de socorro en caso de desastre

Consejos para sobrevivientes de un desastre u otro evento traumático – SAMHSA

Consejos para las familias del personal de respuesta a desastres que regresa a casa – SAMHSA

Recursos econĂłmicos:

Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias – FEMA

Inclusive Action – Un fondo de emergencia para los trabajadores al aire libre (incluyendo los vendedores ambulantes, jardineros y recicladores afectados por los incendios forestales)

Fondo de Cine y TelevisiĂłn – Proporciona asistencia econĂłmica a los miembros activos y jubilados de la comunidad del entretenimiento.

Musicares – Proporciona asistencia económica a los miembros de la comunidad musical.

InformaciĂłn para mantenerse al dĂ­a:

The Benefit Navigator – Imagine LA

InformaciĂłn sobre los incendios forestales – NAMI California

Stay Informed! – Departamento de Bomberos de Los Angeles (LAFD)

Incidentes actuales de emergencia – Cal Fire

GuĂ­a de preparaciĂłn para los incendios forestales – Cal Fire

Prepare su “bolsa de emergencia” – Cal Fire

Si usted está en condiciones de ayudar a otros, por favor, considere ofrecerse como voluntario para las siguientes organizaciones:

Ofrézcase como voluntario para Dream Center of Los Angeles

OfrĂ©zcase como voluntario para L.A. Wildfires – L.A. Works

Ofrézcase como voluntario para la Cruz Roja

A Note of Gratitude from Martine – 6th Annual Cape & Gown Gala

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Thanks to the generosity of our Children’s Institute donors, we raised over $820,000 for our children, families and communities last night.

Far beyond dollars, though, these donations represent the hope, love and commitment we share for the 30,000 children and families across Los Angeles served by CII each year. Your contributions create opportunities, thriving communities and healthy futures for generations to come.

At last night’s gala, we honored four incredible champions:

  • TIM DISNEY, introduced by President of CalArts, Ravi Rajan, received the Children’s Champion Award for his decades of unwavering advocacy for children and families.
  • ERIN WESTERMAN, introduced by actress, singer and producer, Naomi Scott, accepted the Children’s Champion Award for her support of youth mentorship programs and the health and wellbeing of pregnant and parenting mothers.
  • DEPUTY CHIEF EMADA TINGIRIDES & PHILLIP TINGIRIDES, introduced by CII Trustee, Gena Brooks, received the Community Champion Award for their groundbreaking approach to community-based policing.

Emcee and actor/comedian, Lil Rel Howery brought his signature humor to the evening. We were inspired by Tondalia Chandler, who underscored the critical importance of CII’s services to her family; you can read her story here. Additionally, here are two heartwarming videos that were shared last night: Project Fatherhood and Emotional Wellbeing.

The evening opened with a performance by the CalArts ensemble, Sirena and featured a live auction hosted by Emmy-winning broadcaster Liam Mayclem. For a recap of the event, check out our social media post here.

On behalf of everyone at Children’s Institute, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who sponsored, supported and participated in our gala. Your generosity truly makes a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve and in communities across Los Angeles.

With deep gratitude,

Martine Singer

 

Thank you to our gala supporters:
Dragonfly Therapeutics, Inc., Bill & Maura Haney, Johnny Carson Foundation, Susan Disney Lord, Roy P. Disney & Abigail Disney, O’Melveny & Meyers, Lauren & Chuck Diamond, Megan Smith & Garrett Doherty, Cindy & Alan Horn, Andrea & Glenn Sonnenberg, Bel Air Investment Advisors, Burnham Benefits, Cal Arts, Gallagher, HUB International, KPMG, Les Amies, Lionsgate, PwC, UnitedHealthcare, Warner Bros. Television, Wells Fargo, Steven Gomez, Dr. Jenny Williams & Joan Henehan, Sally & Paul R. Kanin, Dr. Jennifer Linehan Kutrieh & Tarek Kutrieh, Jamie Alter Lynton & Michael Lynton, Carole & Barry Patmore and Family, Gelila Assefa Puck, R&S Kayne Foundation, Jessica Harper & Tom Rothman, Maria Seferian, Slusser Ranch Vineyards, The Walt Disney Company, The W. M. Keck Foundation, Bills & Stoll, LLP, Bocarsly Emden Cowan Esmail & Arndt LLP, Bogaard Group International, John & Louise Bryson, Canterbury Consulting, Cedars-Sinai, City National Bank, Creative Artists Agency, Stella Hall & Jim Fordyce, Beth & Sunil Gunderia, Monica Wyatt & Mark Horowitz, Kingdom Story Company, The Provost Family, Salesforce, Shamrock Capital Advisors, Moira & Rajath Shourie, Susan Steinhauser, David & Paula Agnew, Amazon Studios, Angeleno Group, Philippe Browning, Katherine & Bill Burford, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy & Pueblo Nuevo Education and Development Group, Beth Grant & Michael Chieffo, DSH // architecture and Chava Danielson & Eric Haas, The Drake Family, Cliff Einstein, GHJ, Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman, Inc., Tracey Gluck, The Goetzman Group, Ilene & Stanley Gold, Health Net, LLC, Suzanne & David Johnson, Nathan Kahane, David Kuhn, Aevitas Creative Management, Roy Lee at Vertigo Entertainment, Levinson Arshonsky Kurtz & Komsky, LLP, Liz Hirsh Naftali, Roger Allers & Genaro Pereira, Ric Whitney & Tina Perry-Whitney, Point Grey Pictures, Carolyn Powers, Revolution Office, Negar & Ariff Sidi, Jason & Cindy Spitz, Mary Rohlich & Clay Tweel, UCLA Extension, The United Plankton Charitable Trust and WME.

2024 Gala Honoree: Erin Westerman

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We are excited about our four “Cape & Gown Gala” honorees, who will be celebrated at our upcoming fundraising gala on Sunday, December 8 at the Skirball Cultural Center. As advocates and supporters of underserved children, families and communities, our honorees were selected for their humanitarianism and impact to society.

Today, we will be sitting down to meet Erin Westerman, Co-President of the Motion Picture Group at Lionsgate to better understand her desire to give back. Hello Erin and welcome to Children’s Institute! Thank you for making time to meet with us. Can you start off by sharing a little about yourself?

I am a mother of two – I have a seven-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. As the Co-President of the Motion Picture Group at Lionsgate, I oversee a team, and our job is to build and manufacture the movies that get put into theaters with the Lionsgate logo on it. That includes Hunger Games, John Wick, Saw and more. Plus, there’s a lot of other smaller, original movies that we make throughout the year.

My proudest accomplishment to date, outside of having my children, is how I impacted Lionsgate’s maternity leave policy. While I was negotiating my contract, I found out that our maternity leave policy was the state minimum. While this is not uncommon for corporations given that that’s what the government suggests as a starting place, having just had a child, I was super aware that it wasn’t enough time off.

I decided to put into my contract that the company change their policy to allow for longer maternity leave if I was going to accept the offer. What’s amazing about Lionsgate is that, when faced with the data that supports all the good that a longer maternity leave can have and how little it actually costs the company, they changed their policy to give birth mothers five months of full pay plus four months of pay for the non-birth parent.

I will always feel so good that I found myself in a position to hold up a mirror and see that I helped create real change for the people that work at Lionsgate. I would say this is both the reason that I work at Lionsgate and have worked there for almost a decade.

Our North Star consists of four pillars which include educational success, emotional well-being, economic mobility and lifelong health. What part of our North Star resonates with you?

I grew up in the south side of Chicago and I’m very aware that many of the kids that I grew up with didn’t have what I had, which were parents who had the capacity to provide opportunities for me – not just financially but also emotionally and with their time. My parents put a lot of effort into creating opportunities for me to feel whole, to be challenged and to see opportunities.

That may look different for others but the possibilities that exist for people to succeed are impacted by whether or not they have someone in their life who’s capable of doing that for them. Because of my childhood and because of where I grew up in Chicago, I’m hyper-aware that the biggest indicator of my success has been having parents who believed in me. I can now look back on a lot of the kids I grew up with who were no less smart, no less deserving but who have not found themselves to be as lucky as me. One person who believes in you can change their life.

What’s amazing about Children’s Institute is that they look at the whole child, the whole family and can create capacity for parents to create those opportunities by filling in the holes or pointing people in directions to provide resources that that child or family need.

If you had a message to share with those who are better off and have more resources, what would it be?

I think that, especially if you have children, you become very aware of how important it is to provide for your children. It’s something I feel all the time. Whenever my children need something, nothing will stop me from helping them. No amount of money, resources, or time would stop me from doing what I can for them. Unfortunately, a lot of mothers, fathers and caregivers are not able to do that.

Now, for a more lighthearted question. If you were granted one wish, for the people we serve, what would that be? And why?

That’s a hard question! Well, I wish that we were more child friendly. I think that there are countries in Europe where everybody lifts up families and children. And I think in a lot of places, children are seen as being a burden. Even as somebody with resources, I feel like it’s still hard to raise children.

So, my wish would be that we had a community that did more of that.

One last question! When we were looking at the dresses we collect and hand out for our annual Prom2Go event, I noticed you had a reaction to them. Can you share what you were feeling in the moment?

Oh yeah! I love that you have an event focused on prom, because often, things like prom are deemed as extra and unnecessary. But when I look back on my own high school experience, I remember prom being one of the most joyous experiences I had.

The idea that Children’s Institute would take seriously something in a high schooler’s life like prom and provide resources for that while knowing that a new dress matters gets me very emotional.

 

If you would like to give back to the community while enjoying an evening celebrating our honorees at our 6th Annual “Cape & Gown Gala”, you can purchase corporate sponsorships or individual & group tickets here. Our “Cape & Gown Gala” will take place on Sunday, December 8 from 5-8pm at the Skirball Cultural Center.

Proceeds to the gala will go towards the services and programs helping the underserved children and families in our community.

Deskside Chat with the Board: Supriya Batra

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We recently welcomed Supriya Batra, a Partner at Bel Air Investment Advisors, as a member of our board of trustees. Please read below to learn more about Supriya and what motivated her to join Children’s Institute.

Welcome aboard, Supriya! We are so excited to have you join our board of trustees.  Could you please start by sharing more about yourself? 

I am a child of an immigrant father who moved from India to the United States with only $20 in his pocket, seeking a better life for himself through education. Growing up, he instilled in me the values of responsibility, frugality and the importance of education. He worked tirelessly, commuting by bus to ARCO in downtown Los Angeles. I remember my siblings and I would eagerly wait at the bus stop to welcome him home each day, witnessing firsthand his dedication and work ethic.

He followed traditional Indian customs, including an arranged marriage to my mother who immigrated with my father. In Indian culture, women are not raised to work, but rather, to become mothers. Despite the cultural norms that often limit women to domestic roles, my family was different. My father had three sisters, all professionals – including two doctors and one entrepreneur. This environment broadened my perspective on what women could achieve beyond motherhood. My father encouraged me with a friendly, supportive approach, urging me to pursue my ambitions, and unlike many of my family friends, I was raised with the belief and notion that I could – and should – aspire to a fulfilling career.

My father’s entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to leave ARCO to start his own company. Watching him navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and the tough road of not having a steady income and working well into the middle of the night, taught me invaluable lessons about hard work and perseverance. Fast forward to today, I’m a financial advisor, and similar to my father, I co-founded a successful business with another female leader, starting from nothing to building it into what it is today. My father’s positive role-modeling played a crucial role in my career.

What makes you excited to be a part of our Board of Trustees? Is there anything specific about our North Star that speaks to you? 

Reflecting on my childhood, I recognize the immense support I received from my immediate and extended family and community. I realize that this is in stark contrast with the experiences of children facing extreme poverty, who often lack the resources, time and love that are critical for their development. This disparity deeply resonates with me and is the reason why I am a part of the board.

Children’s Institute’s North Star emphasizes the importance of self-empowerment and the pillars necessary for it: educational success, emotional wellbeing, economic mobility plus love and resources necessary for lifelong health. I believe these elements are fundamental to surviving and thriving in today’s world, and they align with my own values and experiences. This is what draws me to Children’s Institute and excites me about contributing to its mission.

What is one piece of advice you’ve received that has helped you – that you’d like to share with the children we serve?

Never give up on yourself. Always advocate for yourself, even when others don’t believe in you. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.

What type of legacy of success would you like to leave behind?

I aspire to leave a legacy of authenticity behind. Everyone thrives when they are true to themselves, rather than pretending to be someone they’re not. Authenticity is not only less exhausting but also more positively received by others. I hope to be remembered as someone who was genuine and who did what I said I would.

Do you have any fun facts about yourself you’d like to share?

My biggest hobby is fitness! I enjoy all types of personal fitness classes and have tried nearly every one of them. Recently, I started weight training class through the encouragement of my friend. Just a year ago, I began lifting almost nothing but now I can bench press my body weight!

Deskside Chat with the Board: Andrew Vogel

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Welcome to Children’s Institute, Andrew. Since you are new to Children’s Institute, could you please introduce yourself and share some insights about your journey up to this point?

I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, and I’ve always been very driven. I started at KPMG right out of high school. So, while working full time, I was also attending university. After about 10 years of establishing myself professionally in Australia, I decided to move to the biggest market in the world, the United States. I have been with KPMG for over 20 years. I am currently a Principal & Leader in KPMG’s advisory practice.

Throughout my life, I’ve been committed to giving back to my community. In high school, I was the Head of Community & Social Services, which was foundational to my current priorities in corporate philanthropy. In 2009, I lived in an Aboriginal community in Australia called Aurukun, for four months to help the community establish a timber milling business through an Indigenous reconciliation program.

Aurukun is an extremely remote place, but what makes this area interesting, is that the people who live on that land live on bauxite, which is a compound that is used to produce aluminum. Through this program, I helped the community create their business plan and permit to successfully obtain a timber milling license through the government so that they could properly fell the timber and start their business. This would allow them, as traditional stewards of the land, to benefit from its resources. With my continued desire to give back to the community, I joined KPMG’s Family for Literacy Program in Los Angeles which serves low-income communities by aiming to eradicate childhood illiteracy and most currently, became a member of the Board at Children’s Institute.

What about Children’s Institute’s mission and north star attracts you to the agency?

I come from a humble, working-class family and my parents worked their backsides off to give me an education. Since my youth, I have felt the need to give back. So, here I am doing something I’m passionate about! In this role, I hope to influence others and give of myself through different opportunities – not only through corporate donations and dollars but also by providing pathways to internship and career opportunities.

One of the reasons why I’m passionate about joining Children’s Institute is that my mother was once a school librarian for 30 years and was also passionate about childhood education.

Children’s Institute emphasizes the importance of early childhood education, in addition to providing material support, in safe environments, ultimately, providing pathways to a better life. That resonates with me.

What would you like to achieve while you’re here?

On a macro-level, I want to make a lasting impact on the Board. I am currently on the program and finance committees, and at a bare minimum, I’d like to ensure that finance is a real partner to the overall business.

My skills set includes assisting clients in thinking through their problems in a holistic manner. I help clients improve their business operationally; ranging from enabling tech to streamlining processes to thinking through how organizations should be run and governed. I would like to apply the same rigor I’ve learned from KPMG to Children’s Institute – to be forward-thinking, while asking the right questions to support improvements that benefit the overall organization.

Can you think of a childhood memory that has both impacted you and led you to this point?

The memory I have is three-fold. First, is in memory of my mother and her desire to help children. There’s something innate in me that wants to continue her legacy. Second,

from my own childhood, I was always encouraged to serve others, whether that was through my parents or my school. I was always motivated to serve the community.

Finally, I had an amazing childhood growing up in Australia where I didn’t have much to worry about. I had access to lots of clean, outdoor space and an excellent education – I was brought up in a wonderful society. I couldn’t have had a better childhood, so I want that for others.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

From childhood onward, I have loved sports – rugby, cricket and Australian Olympic sports. A big part of my life was being outdoors, running, swimming in the ocean – things that drew me to live in Los Angeles.

I’m also an avid reader. I especially love reading about American history because I appreciate learning about the ideals that American society was founded on as they’re very different from Australia’s.

One of my favorite novels is, “A Team of Rivals,” which is about Abraham Lincoln, and his Cabinet during the Civil War. He had a team of people around him that would challenge his ideas. Members of his own Cabinet would work against him, yet those were moments that helped him rise above to forget his own path to victory. These types of stories are what I love to read, because they help me reflect on how to become a better leader – even in my role as a Board member.

My favorite childhood book is “Charlotte’s Web.” I’m fond of it because it’s a heartfelt children’s story but more importantly, because it connected me to my mother.

 

Deskside Chat with the Board: Ariff Sidi

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We had the privilege of sitting down with one of our newest Board members, Ariff Sidi, former GM & Chief Product Officer at Edgecast, a division of Verizon Media. During our conversation, Sidi shared some of his major career accomplishments and his convictions as a father and how these experiences led him to join the Board at Children’s Institute.

Ariff, you’ve had quite an impressive career – from engineering to product management to media and tech! Could you walk us through your professional journey, highlighting some of your achievements?

I started off in software engineering at Qualcomm, having graduated from the University of California, San Diego. In the beginning, my work was hands-on, writing code. While it was intellectually challenging, it was also a bit removed from the consumer experience, and I wanted to create products that touched people’s lives more directly. That led me to Disney, where I began migrating from engineering to product management.

During my 12-year tenure at Disney, I built a variety of products and technology that people were using and enjoying daily, which I loved. I also played a central role in the development of ABC’s industry-first video streaming platform, which my team built in only 62 days, and kicked off an entire industry transformation that is still ongoing today! In the process, I filed 10 patents, won an Emmy award and two additional Emmy nominations. I also earned an MBA from UCLA during this time.

After my time at Disney, FOX and a couple of start-ups, I went on to become the Chief Product Officer at a division of Verizon During my time at Verizon, I led the business through two private equity transactions, after which I decided to take some time out to spend with my family.

 Wow, what an incredible impact you’ve made across multiple industries! It must’ve been a rollercoaster of an adventure to be part of an unprecedented transition from traditional media to streaming, and congrats to you!

Can you share about what motivated you to join Children’s Institute’s Board of Trustees?

Ultimately, being a father of two young kids in the same age range as Children’s Institute’s children is what motivated me to join and why Children’s Institute’s mission and work resonates with me personally.  I recognize that a stable and healthy childhood makes a huge difference in launching young people into successful and happy adults. If I were to think of my own kids in anything but the best conditions – not being cared for, not having access to education, feeling unsafe, not having the opportunities they currently have, not having their dad around, etc. – it’s heartbreaking.

Knowing that not all children are afforded these opportunities, and that Children’s Institute is pushing hard to change that is the source of my motivation to get involved. I’m hoping that I can use my skills as a technologist, business leader, and dad to support Children’s Institute and the great work it does.

That’s wonderful to hear and thank you for your incredibly big heart and desire to help the children of Los Angeles, particularly those who are consistently marginalized and underserved. Children’s Institute’s North Star states that all children and families can achieve educational success and emotional wellbeing to build lasting pathways to lifelong health and economic mobility. Can you share what specifically connects you to Children’s Institute’s North Star?

I want to start off by sharing a quote by Martin Luther King Jr, from his book, “Why We Can’t Wait.”

It is obvious that if a man is entered at the starting line of a race 300 years after another man, the first would have to perform some impossible feat in order to catch up.

While this quote is specifically about racial inequality and reflects the challenges that many African Americans face today, I think it is has quite a lot of relevance to the work of Children’s Institute. It is difficult to compete if your starting line is so far behind your peers. That’s why the work of Children’s Institute and its work in early childhood education and head start programs is so important. How one starts their lives impacts their future and their early years in childhood carry forward into adulthood. I believe in a fair playing field, for kids most of all.

Let’s give these kids a better start to ensure better outcomes in the future.

What a powerful motivator. It’s true that to make a lasting impact, it often starts with the early stages of childhood. That relates to a statement that was recently made by a fellow Board member, Sunil Gunderia, who said, “The most effective and efficient societal investments in education are those made in early childhood education.”

Now that you are a member of Children’s Institute’s Board, what is something you would like to accomplish in your work and advocacy through Children’s Institute?

There are three parts to what I’d like to accomplish as a Board member of Children’s Institute:

First, in an early meeting with Martine Singer and Catherine Atack, before I became a member of the Board, they had mentioned that Children’s Institute has been around for over a hundred years – since 1906, which is about the time LA Children’s Hospital was established. But a major difference is the level of public awareness between the two. I would like to help build awareness for Children’s Institute and its work through my efforts and connections.

Second, because of my background in tech, I hope to be helpful in guiding the use of technology to drive and improve efficiencies to contribute to better outcomes internally.

And third, also related to technology, but more specifically as it relates to its externally facing products. I hope to be helpful in guiding the use of technology to improve products and services delivered to CII’s children and families.

That’s wonderful! We’re so excited to have you onboard! On a personal level, can you share some of your hobbies?

I have a bunch of hobbies, most of which lean pretty technical. I enjoy photography; I also enjoy sailing and powerboating; I’ve always been big into cars and had an amateur racing license at one point; I do a lot of DIY from electrical to plumbing to carpentry to metal work; I do some content creation; and I’m building an AI home automation system. I’m probably forgetting something. One day I will get a private pilot license, but my wife has forbidden me to do that while we have young kids!

Are there any other interesting facts about yourself?

I mentioned I had several patents from my time at Disney. There’s a high likelihood, probably a certainty, that you have come across and experienced one of my patents if you’ve ever watched a streamed video with ads in it. If you’ve noticed the countdown timer during an ad or how you can’t skip the ads, you’ve come into contact with one of my patents!

Thank you so much for your time, Ariff. It was a pleasure getting to know you and your desire to make a positive impact on the lives of children. Welcome to Children’s Institute!

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