about — Start at Zero

CURRENT RESEARCH TELLS US THAT

90% of all human brain development happens before age 5. Early childhood development and education initiatives that are multifaceted and combine improvement efforts inside learning environments with extensive, holistic family engagement and comprehensive support for children and families have been proven to be the most effective. A holistic, integrated school and community hub model is a distinguishing factor for SAZ and how we deliver our programming.

our partners

Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving
your community and world better than you found it.

Marian Wright Edelman, Founder - Children's Defense Fund (CDF)

our staff

**Dr. Amanda Vega**
*Executive* *Director*

**Arleen Martinez**
*Director of Programs*

**Syria Mason**
*Family & Community Support Worker*

**Briana Moore**
*Family & Community Support Worker*

**Esmeralda Ramirez**
*Bilingual Family & Community Support Worker*

**Meredith Mershon**
*Director of Finance*

**Rasheedah Villarreal**
*Wellness Coordinator*

our board

**Ariel Griffin**
PRESIDENT
*Children International*
***3-year term, ending June 30, 2024***

**Linda Adeniji, Esq.**
VICE PRESIDENT
*Lyra Health, Inc.*
***2-year renewable term, ending June 30, 2025***

**Stephanie Boydston, MBA**
TREASURER
FINANCE & GOVERNANCE CMTE CHAIR
*Serve the World Charities, Inc*
***3-year term, ending June 30, 2024***

**Reshida Rone, LMSW**
SECRETARY
*Women’s Employment Network*
***2-year renewable term, ending June 30, 2024***

**Karl Phares, Esq.**
PRESIDENT EMERITUS
*Stinson LLP*
***3-year term, ending June 30, 2024***

**Bryan Love**
*De La Salle Education Center*
***2-year renewable term, ending June 30, 2024***

**Anna Jordan-Douglass, Ph.D**
*Makefully Studios, Inc.*
***2-year renewable term, ending June 30, 2024***

**Catricia Tilford, M.D., F.A.A.P**
PARENTS AS TEACHERS® CMTE CHAIR
*Children’s Mercy Hospital*
***2-year renewable term, ending June 30, 2024***

**Donta Goodwin**
*Kansas City Public Schools*
***2-year renewable term, ending June 30, 2024***

**Yani Vazquez Cruz, MBA**
*Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City*
***2-year renewable term, ending June 30, 2024***

emeritus members

Start at Zero proudly recognizes the exemplary service, leadership,
and trailblazing of its founding, emeritus members of its Board of Directors.
Angela DeWilde, Founder, Start at Zero
Stephenie Smith
Emily Buckley
Scott Hall
Edgar Palacios
NaTika Rowles
Darryl Answer
Rick Winslow

about the statement

Start at Zero’s mission is to partner with parents and caregivers to promote healthy early childhood development. Our ultimate goal is to achieve comprehensive health, education, and development for children prenatal to age five and their families. Our vision includes a thriving educational ecosystem that sets all children up for a lifetime of success. We understand that fulfilling our mission and vision is not possible without approaching our work from the lens of structural and systemic inequities that persist in the city of Kansas City, MO. With this in mind, we make our commitments and actions transparent in our JEDI statement.

Click here to read our JEDI statement in full.

Start at Zero understands the significance of having shared language and understanding of key terms to be critical to any JEDI work. Because of this, we lean on the definitions utilized by the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP). Please reach out to info@startatzero.org with any comments or questions.