Program: Strategic Problem-Solving with AI for Head Start Leaders
Description: Today’s Head Start leaders are asked to solve complex problems with limited time and resources — balancing staffing, enrollment, fiscal pressures, and compliance, often all at once. This session is designed for directors and executive leaders who want to move beyond basic AI use and apply it to strategic thinking and systems improvement. Together, we’ll explore how AI can help you see patterns across data, test scenarios before making decisions, and design smart workflows that keep your program running smoothly. Through real Head Start examples and hands-on demonstrations, you’ll practice using AI as a thought partner — not to replace leadership judgment, but to enhance it. Participants should come ready with their AI tool of choice (such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or Gemini) to actively test prompts and problem-solve alongside peers. You’ll leave with practical prompts, examples, and strategies you can take straight into your next management or planning meeting — ready to use AI to make faster, more informed, and more confident decisions for your program.
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Carolyn Heyliger-Graham:Carolyn is a Senior Partnership Manager at Learning Genie, bringing over 17 years of experience in the early childhood education sector. With a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Carolyn combines analytical thinking with a deep passion for education and helping Head Start and Early Childhood programs adopt innovative data solutions. Carolyn has also presented at regional, national, and state conferences, sharing early childhood insights and strategies to empower educational leaders in enhancing program outcomes and driving positive change.
Mary Grace Romo:
Mary Grace Romo is a national early childhood consultant and founder of EarlyEdPro.ai and EarlyEd.ai, sister brands that focus on innovation and capacity-building in Head Start and early education. Mary supports Learning Genie’s leadership in advancing AI-powered solutions for early learning, helping programs discover how technology can enhance data use, streamline operations, and strengthen family engagement. A former Head Start director and K–12 administrator, she brings deep expertise in program design, strategic planning, and federal grant management. Her work centers on helping agencies use technology and AI responsibly to solve complex challenges—advancing equity, efficiency, and quality for children, families, and staff.
