BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker recently appointed Maria Gonzalez Moeller, the Chief Executive Officer of The Community Group (TCG) in Lawrence, to the Board of Early Education and Care (EEC). The Community Group is a private non-profit agency that develops and manages programs in early education, teacher professional development, elementary school management, and child care resources and referrals.
“We are pleased to appoint Maria to the Board of Early Education and Care,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Maria’s demonstrated commitment to early education programs serving children from low-income households will bring valued experience to the Board.”
“For many years, Maria has worked to strengthen community partnerships and collaborations to expand opportunities for families in Lawrence,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “She is a strong supporter of accessible, high-quality education and care for all children, and we are glad she is willing to serve in this new capacity.”
Ms. Moeller has held many leadership positions at The Community Group during her 20 years with the agency, including chief operating officer for child care services and human resources manager. She also currently serves as a board member for the Massachusetts Association of Early Education & Care (MADCA) and recently served as a member of the Early Education and Care Economic Review Commission.
Born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, she moved to Louisiana to attend college. After earning her bachelor’s degree in finance and international marketing from Tulane University in New Orleans, she moved to Massachusetts where she received her master’s in business administration from Bentley University in Waltham.
“I am very pleased to welcome Maria to the Board of Early Education and Care,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “Her extensive experience in strengthening community partnerships will serve the board well, and we look forward to her ideas and perspectives to guide EEC’s work.”
“Maria brings deep professional experience to the Board at a time when the need to support programs and educators in new ways is urgent and imperative. Under Maria’s leadership, the Community Group takes an innovative approach to recruiting and training talented educators, and creating the professional conditions for educators to thrive,” said Nonie Lesaux, chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. “We have tremendous opportunities before us to continue to respond to the challenges the field faces while simultaneously strengthening the Commonwealth’s system of early education and care through innovation—and Maria will be instrumental in helping the Board and the agency to seize those opportunities.”
“I very much look forward to working with Maria as she brings her extensive experience delivering high-quality early education and care programming to the vital work of the Board,” said Early Education and Care Acting Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “Her expertise in building community-based and truly family-centered collaborations will bring essential perspectives to the Board and to the agency.”
Maria will attend the next EEC Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
About the Board of Early Education and Care
The Board of Early Education and Care oversees the administration of early education and care and out-of-school time programs in Massachusetts. Under the Board's oversight and regulations, the Department of Early Education and Care licenses child care programs, residential programs, and adoption/foster care placement agencies. In addition, EEC provides financial assistance for more than 50,000 children to attend high-quality programs that support their growth, development, and learning. The Board’s mission is to provide a system of early education and care and out-of-school time in Massachusetts that provides all children with the necessary foundation for healthy and positive educational development and lifelong success. Learn more about the Board of Early Education and Care.
