LACEY'S STORY
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I’ve spent my career working inside Head Start programs and supporting leadership teams as they navigate fiscal management, compliance, and program operations.
My experience includes roles as a Head Start Operations Coordinator, Fiscal Manager, and Training and Technical Assistance Grantee Specialist. In these roles, I worked directly with programs to strengthen systems, interpret requirements, and support thoughtful decision-making across fiscal and leadership teams.
I’ve also worked in the nonprofit sector as a Marketing Director and, outside of Head Start, co-own and operate a small business with my husband—experiences that have shaped my practical, systems-focused approach to this work.
I hold a Master of Public Administration and bring both technical knowledge and real-world perspective to the challenges programs face every day.
WHY I DO THIS WORK
Head Start programs carry a unique responsibility—balancing mission, compliance, and day-to-day operations in environments that are often complex and constantly changing.
I’ve seen how challenging that can be, especially for leaders who are expected to make sound decisions with limited time, evolving guidance, and competing priorities. Too often, support comes in the form of checklists or directives without the space to think through how those expectations apply in real-world situations.
That’s why I approach this work as a thought partner.
My goal is not to provide quick fixes or one-size-fits-all answers, but to help programs build clarity, strengthen systems, and make decisions that are sustainable over time. I believe strong programs are built through understanding—not just compliance—and that support should meet people where they are.
At the core of my work is a simple idea: helping Head Start programs start strong and stay strong by building systems that are clear, practical, and grounded in how programs actually operate.
Be the First to Get Practical Fiscal Training and Tools
Join the Restart Ahead Pilot Cohort List to get early access to practical tools, templates, and upcoming software designed for Head Start fiscal leaders.
Pilot participants help test and refine new resources before full release—gaining early access, lower pricing, and the opportunity to influence tools built to support real program needs.
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