ECE Ambassador Builds Momentum with Five New Leaders

Several of the ECE Ambassadors take part in an Earth Day Cleanup on April 22, 2026.

For more than four years, Milwaukee Succeeds’ Early Childhood Education (ECE) Ambassadors have been showing us what it means to turn lived experience into leadership. Throughout the years, they’ve learned what it means to be advocates – and they’ve put those skills into action, calling for change across the child care sector and rallying others to do the same.

Now, five new Ambassadors are adding their voices to the cause, bolstering the team as we head into another budget cycle. Together, these 17 Ambassadors are bringing powerful insights and passion to our work, helping us unite the community and push for continued investment in ECE.

A Growing Team

Bringing five new people into the ECE Ambassador program was about more than simply adding numbers to the team. It was about building on what’s already working and being intentional about what the program needs next.

Armed with insights and advice from our current ECE Ambassadors, we began a careful search for candidates, prioritizing those with experience in advocacy and organizing, strong connections to the ECE community and a talent for building relationships. And, as always, the people closest to the work had a voice in the decision. Current ECE Ambassadors served on the interview panel, helping select the next group of leaders.

“It was just a wonderful experience getting to be part of the interviews and listening to what everybody brings to the table,” said Ambassador Diana Rico. “I think one of the greatest things is the lived experience, and I think that's what makes this group so strong.”

The five new Ambassadors each bring their own perspectives, experiences and skills – strengths they’ll continue to build upon throughout the onboarding process. Over the coming months, they’ll deepen their understanding of Milwaukee’s ECE landscape, connect with fellow Ambassadors, and further hone their storytelling, community engagement and leadership skills.

This latest round of recruitment also gave us a chance to think about what we’ve learned over the past four years – and how those lessons could benefit others. With that in mind, we’re now developing a recruitment and training guide to help other organizations effectively bring lived experience partners into their work.

Leadership in Action

In August, our ECE Ambassadors hosted a Connect & Recharge Circle for ThriveOn King providers as part of our ongoing neighborhood outreach.

The new Ambassadors are joining a team that has already been busy putting their skills and perspectives into practice. From supporting early educators to building relationships with child care providers, our Ambassadors have been finding new ways to listen, connect and lead in their communities.

The Caring for Caregivers training series is a prime example. Our Ambassadors recognized the heavy load that local early educators have been carrying and built a six-part program in response, addressing burnout, compassion fatigue and stress. Held monthly from October 2025-March 2026, the series reached 102 educators, 99% of whom said the training increased their knowledge. Ultimately, it helped participants realize that they’re not alone in the challenges they face, creating a healing space for them to share, learn and recharge together.

That same spirit of connection is also at the heart of the Ambassadors’ ongoing outreach in Milwaukee’s ThriveOn King neighborhood. Over the past year, they’ve been building relationships with the 44 local child care providers, listening to their experiences and learning more about what they need to thrive. Those conversations have now grown, with the Ambassadors conducting Needs Assessments and connecting providers with local resources and opportunities.

“Seeing the directors’ eyes light up when they realize we’re truly here to listen, support and help them is everything,” said ECE Ambassador Briana Stanford. “Giving them hope gives me hope for all the babies and families being served in those centers. It reminds me why this work matters – we’re building relationships, creating opportunities and helping make change happen where it counts most.”

For Anna Smerchek, Milwaukee Succeeds’ ECE community engagement manager, this kind of work reflects what makes the ECE Ambassador program so powerful: the transformation of lived experience into meaningful action.

“The most powerful part of this work is watching our Ambassadors recognize the power of their voices. They bring lived experience, passion and deep connections to the table – then turn that into action. They’re building relationships, identifying solutions, mobilizing community, and showing what’s possible when the people closest to the challenges are trusted to help shape the change.”

Advocacy in Action

ECE Ambassadors pose with Milwaukee Succeeds staff and partners after sharing their stories at the Joint Committee on Finance listening session.

As the next advocacy season gets underway, the Ambassadors’ expertise will continue to be crucial.

During last state budget cycle in 2025, the Ambassadors proved just how much they can bring to the table. They began by helping us develop a six-part Advocacy Training Series, which taught over 400 people how to use their voice and speak up in support of ECE. From there, they put those skills into practice – helping lead letter-writing efforts, sharing their stories at budget listening sessions and bringing their voices directly to Madison during a statewide Advocacy Day.

Now, old and new Ambassadors alike are carrying that momentum into the next budget cycle. Beginning in December, they’ll embark on a new 4-part Advocacy Training Series, covering how our government works, the current ECE landscape, state budget basics and practical advocacy skills. March will mark the transition from learning to action, with another letter-writing campaign followed by a series of in-person advocacy events.

With our Ambassadors’ voices at the center of this process – joined by those they’ve helped to empower – our call for continued investment in ECE will be stronger than ever.

Building a Stronger Foundation

Almost five years into the ECE Ambassador program, the work continues to grow. What began as an effort to build a base of informed advocates has become a group of leaders who are shaping the work, supporting their communities and speaking up for the early childhood system they want to see.

That’s what makes this next chapter so exciting. With five new Ambassadors joining the team, there are more voices, more experiences and more connections at the table. As they continue learning, leading and advocating, they’re helping us build a stronger foundation for the work ahead.