The strength of MECLP lies in the expertise, passion, and commitment of our staff and faculty. Their deep experience in early childhood education, leadership development, policy, and equity work is essential to advancing our mission. Together, they guide and support emerging leaders across Maryland, ensuring the program not only inspires but sustains meaningful systems change for young children, families, and communities.
Louise Joel Corwin, M.Ed. holds a BS in government and political science and a Masters in education for at-risk children. She was executive director of Ready At Five for 16 years until she retired in 2017. Under Louise’s le
adership, Ready At Five became a dynamic statewide non-profit program focused on elevating the discussion
regarding the practice and quality of early childhood education in Maryland so that all children will be
ready for school. Prior to joining Ready At Five, Louise was chief of early childhood partnerships in the Maryland Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families and coordinator of the Office for Children in Baltimore County. She is a past board member of the Abilities Network and serves on numerous state and local committees and councils charged with using data to drive policies to support young children and their families. In her previous role as
Visiting Executive in Residence at the Sherman Center, and in her current role as Co-Chair of the MECLP Advisory Committee, Louise spearheads the implementation of the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP). Email: lcorwin@umbc.edu
Dr. Rolf Grafwallner is senior policy advisor. He was the former Assistant State Superintendent for Early Learning at the Maryland State Department of Education from 1994 to 2016. He became Program Director for early childhood education with the Council for Chief State
School Officers (CCSSO) in 2016. He is now a consultant with CCSSO. Dr. Grafwallner has worked in the field of early education for 40 years and received his Ph.D. in Education Policy Planning and Administration from the University of Maryland – College Park.
Email: Kienbach11@gmail.com
Marloe Lippert- MECLP Associate is an experienced educator, coach, and higher education professional with more than 20 years of leadership in education, community engagement, and teacher development. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in technology from Johns Hopkins University and currently serves in multiple leadership and instructional roles with University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her expertise includes instructional supervision (both at UMBC and Montgomery College), early childhood education, literacy instruction, grant coordination, teacher preparation, and inclusive STEM practices. Marloe was an early childhood classroom teacher in the Howard County Public Schools for a decade and is passionate about strengthening educator leadership, supporting equitable learning environments, and building collaborative partnerships that positively impact children, families, and communities across Maryland.
Email: marloeli@umbc.edu
Anne Douglass (Ph.D. Brandeis University)
CONTACT INFORMATION: aldougla@umbc.edu
Dr. Douglass is a professor of Early Childhood Policy and Leadership and the founding executive director of Early Education Leaders. A nationally recognized expert in the early care and education workforce, leadership, and quality improvement, Dr. Douglass has led transformative innovations in higher education and expanded access to equitable professional development opportunities for early educators. Formerly an early educator for over 20 years, her work is deeply grounded in hands-on experience as a teacher, center director, family child care owner and educator, and leadership coach. She previously served as Co-Director of Research for the National Early Care and Education Workforce Center and is the author of Leading for Change in Early Care and Education: Cultivating Leadership from Within (2017). Dr. Douglass’s research and scholarship have been widely published, and she is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences on early educator leadership.
Amanda Lopes (Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Boston)
CONTACT INFORMATION: Amanda.Lopes@umb.edu
Amanda Lopes earned her Ph.D. at University of Massachusetts Boston. She has 25 years of experience as an early educator, program administrator, consultant, and trainer. She has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Puget Sound, M.S.Ed in Early Childhood Education from the College of Saint Rose, and a Post Masters Certificate from University of Massachusetts Boston in Early Childhood Education Research, Policy and Practice. Amanda currently teaches courses focused on the creative arts, curriculum, and leadership at University of Massachusetts Boston and serves as a leadership and professional development consultant for early education programs throughout the northeast. Amanda is thrilled to be bringing her passion for early education, instructional leadership, and creativity to UMBC.