Our Team
We’re passionate about creating positive change.
Tamyka Perine
Executive Director
Tamyka Perine has a proven track record of transformative leadership and dedication to fostering diversity and equitable opportunities within organizations. She has previously led significant growth initiatives as the Executive Director of LEAD STL and served as the Director of Development at City Academy. Additionally, her consultancy, Prestige Consultants, LLC, has provided strategic guidance to numerous local and national nonprofits, enhancing their operational and developmental strategies. Tamyka holds a degree from Alabama A&M University and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the Optimist Club of St. Louis, and several other community and professional organizations.
LaDonna Ellis
Director of Advocacy and Engagement - Consultant
A native of St. Louis, LaDonna has served in the field of early childhood for over 25 years as a teacher, director, college instructor, home visitor, coach, trainer, and grant program manager. After high school, she attended the University of Missouri-Columbia where she obtained a Bachelor's and Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies. It was there at Mizzou's Child Development lab where she fell in love with the early childhood setting. LaDonna describes herself as a preschool teacher at heart who thrives to support and encourage professionals toward excellence and resilience. She is grateful to join The Alliance team leading their capacity-building projects. LaDonna’s greatest accomplishment and joy is being a mother and raising her young adult son who family and friends call JJ.
Kate Loar
Vice President of External Relations
Kate brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit administration and fundraising in St. Louis, working with the business and philanthropic communities. As Vice President of Engagement at Greater St. Louis, Inc., she grew the Investor Council by more than 100 members, building relationships with business leaders across the region. She developed extensive statewide and national networks through her work with entrepreneurs at Venture For America, leading fellowship programs in St. Louis and Kansas City and working closely with leaders in 11 peer markets. Kate has a Master’s in Arts Administration and MBA from the University of Cincinnati, is an International Coaching Federation-credentialed professional coach, and serves on the Board of Ten by Three..
MacKenzie Grayson
Director of Advocacy & Engagement
MacKenzie has extensive experience in education, and she is passionate about the well-being and growth of children, families and community building. Prior to joining The Alliance, she was the Manager of Programmatic Services at Parents as Teachers National Center. MacKenzie served children and families as a PAT parent educator in the Normandy School District and has served in many capacities in her academic career (both inside and outside of the classroom). MacKenzie has a Master of Education Administration and a Master of Arts in Teaching, both from Lindenwood University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science with a minor in African American Studies from Illinois State University. MacKenzie is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and other community and professional organizations in our region.
Our Steering Committee
The Alliance’s Steering Committee reflects the larger ECE provider field and elevates those who have been historically left out of the decision-making process. Each member represents a different piece of the complex early childhood system and brings their unique perspectives, priorities, and ideas to the process.
BOARD PRESIDENT
Rose Anderson-Rice, MPA
Deputy Director, Generate Health
For 26 years, Rose has worked in multiple nonprofit organizations in the greater St. Louis community to guide, develop, and facilitate programs that enrich education for children in the St. Louis area through community partnerships.
BOARD TREASURER
Elizabeth George, MBA, MSW
Director of Community Investment, St. Louis Community Foundation
Elizabeth George joined the St. Louis Community Foundation in 2018 with over 20 years of strategic planning, organizational assessment, facilitation, and board development experience in the philanthropic sector.
BOARD SECRETARY
Albert Sanders, Ed.D
Pre-K Teacher, St. Louis Public Schools
Albert has been a teacher for 21 years, 17 of which have been in Pre-K in St. Louis Public Schools. In 2018, he was the Adelaide M. Schlafly Early Childhood Educator of the Year as well as the overall St. Louis Public School District teacher of the year. Albert was also named a Missouri Regional Teacher of the Year in 2018.
Dr. Julia R. Wilkins
Kohrmann Ed.D
St. Joseph's Academy, Director of Diversity, Culture and Climate
Julia is an educator whose career has been dedicated to ensuring students around the world have access to high quality education. Her passion for learning stems from a family legacy of educators, especially in the St. Louis region.
Julie McAfee, BA
Childcare Director, Hilltop Child and Family Development Center
Julie has been in the early childhood industry for 20 years and a childcare Director for 13 years. She is grateful to be a part of this wonderful Gateway Early Childhood Alliance because she knows we have the chance to make a difference in the lives of children and families in our communities!
Samantha March, Ed.D
Associate Partner, The Opportunity Trust
Samantha is an Early Childhood Education Enthusiast born and raised in the City of St. Louis. She has thoroughly enjoyed working in urban education for over 15 years, specializing in learning through play with an emphasis on literacy, and strives daily to make an intentional impact through limitless learning by connecting communities.
Jacquelyn Randle, BA
Founder & Lead Editor, C&E Reflections Inc.
Jacquelyn Randle has 17 years of experience in the Early Education field holding a BA in Early Education and MO Directors Certification. Jacquelyn has been a parent advocate for early education with several advocacy groups in the St. Louis region and provides views from both the parent and educator standpoint.