Lindsey T. Allard, Ed.M. is the Director of School Readiness Consulting and the founder of Allard and Associates, an early childhood education consulting group. She holds a B.S. degree in Human Development and Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College and a M.Ed. in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Allard’s leadership philosophy focuses on the core values of equity, social justice and competence. She believes being an effective leader in education involves working from a strengths-based perspective on behalf of children, families and communities, with the belief that education can empower and transform individuals and communities. Her vision for the field is the achievement of equitable, high quality environments that respect and utilize the gifts that each child brings to the educational process, and using these strengths as a platform to inspire teachers and children as critical thinkers and agents of change. Ms. Allard currently consults with national, state and local organizations, publishers, non-profits and government agencies. Her portfolio includes work in education policy, design and delivery of professional development, and evaluation of education initiatives. You can contact Lindsey at allard@schoolreadinessconsulting.com, and visit the School Readiness Consulting website at www.schoolreadinessconsulting.com.