Welcoming Three New Members to EDvance College’s Board of Directors

EDvance College is pleased to welcome Jess Simmons, E. Ted Fujimoto, and Sindy McCree to our Board of Directors. Together, they bring deep experience in education, early childhood, organizational growth, strategy, fundraising, and governance, along with an important perspective that has always been central to EDvance: the voice of our learners and alumni.

Their leadership comes at an important time for the College. As EDvance enters its fifth year and plans for its next stage of growth, our Board plays a critical role in helping us expand our impact while protecting the quality, values, and learner-centered approach at the heart of our model.

Jess Simmons

Jess Simmons, Principal of Sunlight Peak Advisory, is a fractional Chief Growth and Strategy Officer who helps mission-driven organizations build the capacity and sustainable operations needed to grow their impact. She brings more than 20 years of experience spanning organizational leadership, fundraising, partnership development, program operations, and growth strategy.

Jess began her career as an educator, teaching elementary school in North Carolina and high school biology in Maine before serving as a regional director for two Outward Bound schools. She went on to lead expansion and operational effectiveness at Reading Partners, launch new products and lead growth at early childhood professional learning company LENA, and lead growth and strategy at Lillio, an early childhood technology and curriculum company.

Across these roles, Jess has focused on helping organizations grow sustainably while keeping equity at the center of their work. She holds a BA in Curriculum Design from Guilford College and a Master of Social Change Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and School of Social Policy & Practice. She has also served as an advisor and board member to Colorado-based and national initiatives focused largely on increasing access to high-quality educational opportunities.

Jess’s combination of education, early childhood, fundraising, strategy, and organizational growth will bring valuable perspective as EDvance builds the systems and partnerships needed for its next stage.

E. Ted Fujimoto

E. Ted Fujimoto, Managing Director of EF International Advisors, is a strategist and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations identify opportunities, navigate growth, and turn strategy into action. His career spans education, finance, insurance, real estate, and technology, giving him a broad perspective on building and scaling organizations.

In education, Ted co-founded the school model that became New Tech Network and contributed to the growth of Big Picture Learning, two innovative school models that together have reached nearly 500 schools. He also played a role in the development and scaling of early charter management organizations, helped launch the California Charter Schools Association, and supported state associations across the country in building capacity for high-quality growth.

Ted’s work has also focused extensively on the financial and organizational infrastructure required to make growth sustainable. Over his career, his work has helped facilitate more than $1.6 billion in private capital and secure more than $500 million in philanthropic funding for clients. He founded CharterSafe, an insurance program created specifically for charter schools, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of California Credit Union.

Ted is also co-author of Built to Deliver, which focuses on helping education leaders build accountability and translate strategy into sustainable performance. His experience across strategy, capital, governance, and education will help EDvance think boldly and intentionally about how we grow our impact for the long term.

Sindy McCree

Sindy McCree, Founder and CEO of Les Papillons LLC and President of the Solano-Napa Chapter of the California Association for the Education of Young Children, joins the Board with a perspective especially close to EDvance’s mission: that of an alum, working early childhood educator, and family child care provider.

As a program director and family child care provider, Sindy brings firsthand knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing working educators today. Her leadership across local and statewide early childhood networks also keeps her closely connected to teachers, directors, and home-based providers throughout the field.

Sindy has been an active ambassador for EDvance, representing the College at the CAAEYC state conference since 2023 and at regional events to share EDvance’s mission with the broader early childhood workforce. Her leadership and advocacy have also received public recognition, including a 2026 Woman of the Year nomination for California’s 8th Congressional District, a Congressional Commendation, and recognition from state and local leaders.

Sindy’s appointment is especially meaningful as EDvance strengthens learner and alumni representation in College leadership. As someone who has experienced EDvance firsthand while continuing to work in the field, she will help ensure that the realities, expertise, and perspectives of the educators we serve remain present in conversations about the College’s future.

Looking Ahead

Jess, Ted, and Sindy each bring a distinct perspective to the Board, but share a commitment to expanding opportunity and strengthening education. From building sustainable organizations and scaling innovative education models to representing the lived experience of early childhood educators, their collective expertise reflects both where EDvance is today and what we will need as we continue to grow.

As we enter our fifth year, their leadership will help EDvance navigate its next chapter while remaining grounded in the educators, communities, and mission that brought us here.

Please join us in welcoming Jess, Ted, and Sindy to the EDvance community!

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