Kelly Nguekeu
Manager, Membership Engagement and Leadership Initiatives
Kelly brings over a decade of experience in early childhood education, program leadership, and community engagement to her role as Manager of Membership Engagement and Leadership Initiatives at the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). With a strong foundation in early learning, business operations, and strategic partnerships, she is passionate about building meaningful connections that uplift educators and the communities they serve.
Throughout her career, Kelly has worked at the intersection of education, equity, and advocacy, supporting early childhood programs through capacity building, funding sustainability, and professional development. Prior to joining NAFCC, she developed and managed multi-state educational partnerships to support access and equity in underserved communities.
Previously, she led the administration of $32 million in child care recovery grants in Washington, DC, as a Program Officer with the Low-Income Investment Fund, ensuring that funding reached providers most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Her experience includes providing technical assistance to large childcare center providers and family child care programs, assessing quality standards, and advising on business and programmatic sustainability. Across every role, she has advocated for child care providers as critical contributors to early learning systems, local economies, and child development
At NAFCC, she is honored to work collaboratively across departments to strengthen national partnerships, grow membership engagement, and amplify the voices of family child care professionals. She believes deeply in the power of collective advocacy and leadership development to drive policy change and systemic progress.
Kelly holds a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Administration and plans to pursue a Doctorate in Educational Policy. She is particularly interested in how policy, fundraising, and advocacy intersect to shape the future of early learning. She believes strongly in the power of public investment and legislative action to protect and sustain child care as a vital part of the national education landscape.
She is energized by the work happening at NAFCC and is proud to be part of an organization that is leading the way in advancing quality, equity, and recognition for family child care providers nationwide. With a deep-rooted passion for uplifting child care educators, she is committed to strengthening connections, advancing leadership, and building impactful partnerships that support providers, children, and families.