Rena Dubensky

Rena Dubensky is the Program Manager for Child Care Expansion in Montgomery County Child Care Support Services and oversees Child Care in Public Space, StepUp to Blueprint and GoFCC. She has worked in the field of early childhood education for over 25 years. She was previously a Quality Assurance Specialist for Maryland EXCELS, adjunct faculty at Howard Community College, director of an early childhood center in Potomac, MD, and classroom teacher. Rena is passionate about supporting the early childhood community in Montgomery County and is especially passionate about strengthening early childhood nature and outdoor education.

Saba Ahmed

Saba Ahmed is a seasoned leader in the world of early childhood professional development and growth. Saba fosters a collaborative environment for early childhood education teachers to grow, learn about emerging trends, and tackle critical issues in the field of ECE.

Saba's mission is rooted in the belief that every learner deserves an education that not only imparts knowledge but also empowers and equips them with strong social, emotional, and cognitive abilities. She recognizes the transformative power of supportive and responsive early education experiences as young minds venture into the vast world ahead. Saba currently owns and operates a private training and consulting firm specializing in best practices in Early Childhood, coaching, mentoring, and resource development, and serves as adjunct faculty in the Education Department at the University of Maryland.

Saba earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Special Education, with a specialized focus on Emotional and Learning Differences. This academic background fuels her passion for creating inclusive and nurturing learning environments that cater to the unique needs of every individual.

Tiffany Carter

I am an Office Services Coordinator with Montgomery County Government, where I have served for the past seven years. In this role, I provide essential administrative and operational support to ensure efficient office functions and high-quality public service. I bring strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to supporting both staff and program needs. My experience has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of government operations while maintaining professionalism, reliability, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

Jennifer Ferreira

Jennifer Ferreira is the Family Resource Specialist with Child Care Support Services in Montgomery County, where she is dedicated to supporting families by connecting them with essential child care resources and guidance. In her role, Jennifer works closely with parents and caregivers to ensure access to quality child care options, provides educational materials, and assists with navigating local programs and services. Her commitment to empowering families and fostering strong community partnerships helps promote early childhood development and well-being across the county.

Junlei Li

Junlei Li is the Saul Zaentz senior lecturer in Early Childhood Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

His research and practice focus on understanding and supporting the work of helpers —  those who serve children and families on the frontlines of education and social services. Li studied and learned from a wide range of developmental settings with low resources but high-quality practices, including orphanages, childcare, classrooms, and community youth programs. He developed the "Simple Interactions" approach to help identify what ordinary people do extraordinarily well with children in everyday moments and made that the basis for promoting positive system change.

Li frequently delivers keynote presentations and workshops for national, state, and international conferences focused on improving practices, programs, and policies for children, families, and professionals, with a particular emphasis on early childhood development. He teaches about improving human interactions and supporting adult helpers. He serves on boards and advisory panels, including Child Care Aware of America, Parents as Teachers, Turrell Fund, Head Start National Center for Family and Community Engagement, and various initiatives at the U.S. Administration for Children and Families. Li’s work is significantly influenced and inspired by the pioneering work of Fred Rogers (creator of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood). He previously served as the co-director and Rita M. McGinley Professor for Early Learning and Children’s Media at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College.

Saru Nithyanandam

Saru is a passionate advocate for young children, youth, and families, serving as the Quality Enhancement Coordinator for Child Care Programs in Public Space (CCIPS) with Montgomery County Child Care Support Services. With over 25 years in early childhood education and extensive leadership experience in Early Head Start, she empowers educators and leaders to elevate program quality, achieve accreditation, and grow professionally.

Holding degrees in Education, Chemistry, and English Literature, along with certifications in the Pyramid Model, RIE, CLASS, and Practice-Based Coaching, Saru blends expertise with heart. Beyond her professional role, she is a certified yoga teacher and Heartfulness Program for Schools meditation trainer, inspiring balance and mindfulness in the community.

Her guiding mission is simple yet powerful:
“To motivate and empower individuals to enhance their skills and make a lasting, positive impact on society.”

Sophia Watts-Jenkins

Sophia Watts-Jenkins is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Throughout her career Sophia has taught in Childcare centers, Head Start, Pre-kindergarten, Kindergarten and First grade.

As an Early Childhood Instructional Coach, Sophia implemented concepts from The Adult Learning Theory into her work supporting teachers and principals within the District of Columbia’s Public School System. Sophia focused on strengthening teachers’ practice and children’s outcomes through the creation of research-based professional development modules.

Currently, Sophia is the Program Manager for The Family Support Team within Montgomery County’s Child Care Support Services. She manages The Family Involvement Center, a free play-based program designed to build on parenting strengths while enhancing the development of children ages 0-5, and the multilingual Family Resource Specialists, who support families by linking them to local and state resources.