About Us

Our Mission

Our mission is to connect and empower Latinas in early care and education to unlock their agency, knowledge, skills and network while deepening their community impact.

Our Vision

Centering on the lived experience of the Latino community, our vision is to mobilize and influence educational policies, practices and opportunities to break down barriers, increase representation and promote inclusivity. We will create a brighter tomorrow where the voices and leadership of Latinas are represented and valued. 

Our Story

Our organization is founded on the deep knowledge and lived experiences of Dra. Quiroz and Dra. Melgoza, who have worked in the Early Care and Education (ECE) field for over 25 years. Through our work with ECE practitioners, we have seen firsthand the need to create a space where Latinas can come together to empower, amplify, and uplift each other. We have created this organization to empower and uplift Latinas, recognizing the need for a space where we can come together to make a difference.

Unidos for ECE is a grassroots effort by Latinas for Latinas, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our mission is to empower Latinos in ECE with the knowledge, skills, and network needed to deepen their community impact. We embrace and uplift our Latinidad, understanding that it is essential in finding our voice and agency to resist, persist, and transcend.

Our values of cultura, cariño, sabiduría, solidaridad and excelencia, guide our work.

As an organization led by and focused on Latinas, we offer ECE business consulting, workshops, leadership coaching and training that centers the experiences and voices of Latinas. We are here to partner with Latina leaders aspiring to or currently working towards formal leadership roles in the ECE field. Our goal is to provide a range of services and collaborate with individuals, teams, organizations, and systems ready to create a strong community of equity-minded leaders.

Unidos for ECE was developed with the intention of prioritizing Latina women leaders. We firmly believe that the collective and collaborative nature of Latina leadership is a powerful force for change.

This is just the beginning of a movement that will bring emergent Latina leaders together to create positive impact in the world. We invite you to join us on this journey towards connection, empowerment, equity, and a brighter future for ourselves, the children we serve, and our communities. Unidos, everyone benefits.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Practitioners Voices California [PVCA] for their generous philanthropic support and supporting our vision.

¡Unidos podemos!

#UnidosForECE #Connection #Empowerment #Leadership #LatinaLeadership #Equity

Our Values

Cultura

Honoring and celebrating
our Latinidad

We recognize our invaluable funds of knowledge, traditions,  linguistic assets and contributions to the ECE field and our communities.

Cariño

Equitable well-being of
our community

We foster a culture of care, creating a ripple effect of positive impact beyond our organization and into the lives of children, families, and communities.

Sabiduria

Honing our knowledge in
service of our community

We promote positive outcomes through 
evidence-based strategies, culturally 
responsive training, and advocacy that 
enhance access, quality, and equity in ECE.

Solidaridad

A community by
Latinos, for Latinos

We eliminate systemic barriers that prevent Latinos from advancing in their careers and ensuring that ECE programs and services are culturally and linguistically responsive and equitable for all children and families.

Excelencia

Accountable to the
highest standards 

We provide high-quality programs, resources, and services that promote reflection, personal growth, develop leadership skills, and foster a sense of belonging and empowerment.

Meet the Team

Yohana Quiroz, Ed.D

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Dra. Yohana I. Quiróz, the visionary founder of Unidos for ECE and the driving force behind the ELLA-ES Fellowship, personifies resilience and dedication. Born in Honduras and raised in San Francisco's Mission District, she triumphed over adversity as an undocumented child, English language learner, navigating a challenging youth and becoming a young parent at 17. Dra. Quiroz is a self-identified first generation scholar. Her life is a testament to her resilience, and she acknowledges the profound influence of her lived experiences on her work and commitment to empowering others. With almost three decades of leadership in early care and education, and social service programs, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives and programs. Her career, from nonprofit executive to a national representative for young children's education, embodies tenacity, courage, and the unwavering "ganas" to succeed. She coined the term "En La Lucha" (in the struggle) Mindshift, using her lived experience to inspire personal and professional growth. Through Unidos for ECE she empowers Latina ECE educators, opening doors to leadership roles and creating a more inclusive educational landscape. Her visionary leadership is not only breaking down barriers but also illuminating a path toward a brighter future for Latinas in the field of early childhood education.

Martha Melgoza, Ed.D

Co-Founder & President

Dra. Martha Melgoza, a first-generation Chicana from Los Angeles, California, co-founded Unidos for ECE alongside Dra. Quiroz. Their collective mission is to celebrate and empower Latino children through visionary initiatives. With a 35-year career in early care and education, Dra. Melgoza is committed to recognizing children's strengths and nurturing their capabilities, often overlooked in a world that doesn't fully appreciate their agency. Her work empowers educators, leaders, and families by fostering a deep understanding of child development, social-emotional growth, and physical well-being. This mission harmonizes with Unidos for ECE's core values, focusing on uplifting Latina ECE educators and advocating for a more inclusive and supportive educational landscape.
Martha's profound passion centers on working collaboratively with young children and their families, with a primary focus on enhancing adults' comprehension of child development. Through this perspective, she equips adults with the tools to create authentic and enriching learning environments while appreciating children's unique viewpoints. Martha's extensive experience underscores her unwavering dedication to children and her commitment to nurturing respectful and inclusive educational spaces within communities, aligning seamlessly with Unidos for ECE's mission of empowering Latina ECE educators and fostering inclusive and respectful learning environments.

  • Giannina Perez, MPP

    ELLA-ES Leadership Coach & Consultant

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  • Melissa Serrano, MA

    ELLA-ES Mentor, Trainer & Facilitator

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  • Gigi Munoz, MA

    ELLA-ES Mentor

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  • Dr. Lygia Stebbing, President & Founder at EDvance College

    “Unidos for ECE empowers aspiring Latina leaders by providing them with crucial leadership training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, ensuring a brighter and more inclusive future for early childhood education." It is important to support Unidos for ECE because it recognizes the untapped potential of Latina leaders and equips them with the necessary tools to create lasting positive impact in the field of early childhood education.”

  • Dr. Ashley C. Williams, Vice President of Programs at Jumpstart

    I am energized by the work of Unidos for ECE as they are positioned to be an important voice and solution toward stronger representation of Latina leadership. The reflection of our communities in our ECE leaders is critical to work toward a system that will eradicate inequities instead of entrenching them for children, families, and educators.