Christi Smith has been named as the new executive director of Child Care Aware of Kansas (CCAKS). Board President Kari Mailloux made the announcement following an extensive search.
Smith will join CCAKS in mid-August and will succeed interim executive director Tanya Koehn, who has been serving in the role since the resignation of former executive director Kelly Davydov in October 2023.
“I am incredibly grateful to accept the position of executive director for Child Care Aware of Kansas,” Smith said. “What excites me the most about this position is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children, families, and child care professionals across the state. Being part of an organization dedicated to improving access to quality child care aligns perfectly with my passion. I believe when children have access to high-quality early childhood programs, families thrive. When families thrive, communities flourish.”
A search committee of current and former CCAKS board members interviewed multiple candidates over several months. The committee worked with OMNI Human Resources Solutions out of Overland Park, Kansas, for the search.
“I am excited by Christi’s vision and future-thinking, her value in building trusting relationships and partnerships, and her innate curiosity,” Mailloux said. “With over two decades of dedicated leadership in the early care and education field, Christi will be an authentic collaborator and strategic leader as we build on the momentum around child care in Kansas.”
Smith is not new to CCAKS, having held the position of Director of Strategy and Innovation for the organization from 2013-2019. She also previously partnered with CCAKS and other Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies in Kansas, Illinois, and Missouri as a consultant providing professional development. Her experience also includes roles overseeing the Federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, managing childcare programs, and leading a family preservation program, in addition to prior appointed roles on the Kansas Early Childhood Recommendations Panel, the Quality Rating and Improvement System Advisory Committee, the Child Care Licensing Systems Improvement Team, Governor’s Council on Fitness, and Kansas Strong.
For the last three years, Smith has been executive director for an international nonprofit organization and foundation dedicated to supporting women educators. She has a proven track record of achieving exceptional results through a clear vision and the cultivation of collaborative partnerships. Smith’s passion is rooted in inspiring and empowering teams, unlocking the potential of each individual.
Smith earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child and Family Development, along with a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis on Organizational Leadership. Additionally, she recently obtained the Certified Association Executive Credential, a rigorous program that underscores her commitment to professional growth and excellence.
“I am particularly enthusiastic about collaborating with partners to advance the strategic direction and achieve collective impact,” Smith said. “The opportunity to work with a team committed to ensuring that every child has the best start in life is incredibly inspiring. Leading an organization with such a vital mission is both a responsibility and a privilege, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success and growth.”
