Congratulations, Donna!!!!!!
From today's April State Meeting in Salina: Congratulations to Donna Hudson-Hamilton our Kansas State Children's Champion for 2025 !
Everyone managed to keep
this secret for a month; and a number of Early Childhood Connections staff slipped into the meeting for the presentation to surprise Donna! See the bio her staff wrote for her presentation below. Congratulations, Donna. No one deserves this award more!!
From the award presentation (written by ECC staff):
Donna Hudson-Hamilton: Director of Early Childhood Connections and Recipient of the 2025 Kansas State Children’s Champion Award
Donna Hudson-Hamilton is the current Director of Early Childhood Connections (ECC), a position she has held since July 2003. A passionate advocate for the development of young children and their families, Donna has become a cornerstone of early childhood education in her community. With over two decades of leadership experience in the field, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of children and their families through collaborative efforts and innovative programming.
Throughout her career, Donna has earned numerous accolades for her outstanding work in early childhood education. In 2013, she was named the National Head Start Director of the Year, a testament to her leadership, dedication, and impact in the field. Her ability to motivate and inspire both staff and families has been a hallmark of her career. Under her direction, ECC has grown to become a model of excellence in providing early childhood services.
Donna’s leadership extends beyond her role at ECC. From 2007 to 2009, she served as President of the Kansas Head Start Association (KHSA), where her visionary and family-centered approach helped shape policies and initiatives aimed at improving early childhood education across the state. As an active member of many community boards and organizations, Donna has made significant contributions to the well-being of families and children in her region. Some of the boards she has served on include:
• Heartland Community Foundation Board
• Kansas Association of Infant Mental Health
• United Methodist Health Ministry Fund
• Mental Health Advisory Committee
• United Way of Ellis County
• KHSA (Kansas Head Start Association)
• PACT (Parents and Children Together)
• HICC (Hays Interagency Coordinating Council)
• Head Start Collaboration Council
Donna’s qualities of compassion, creativity, and leadership have been instrumental in her work on these boards, where she has brought together diverse community stakeholders to foster a collaborative, family-centered approach to early childhood education and mental health support. Her ability to motivate others and forge partnerships has had a lasting impact on the programs and services that benefit local children and families.
As a visionary leader, Donna has continually pushed for innovative and effective solutions to the challenges facing early childhood education. She has long been recognized for her ability to see the big picture while also focusing on the unique needs of each individual child and family. Her leadership is characterized by a deep commitment to creating environments where all children can thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
Donna’s work continues to inspire those around her, and her legacy as a compassionate, motivational, and visionary leader in early childhood education is one that will continue to shape the field for years to come. We cannot think of anymore more deserving to receive the Children’s Champion Award than Donna.