HS Heals Speakers and Facilitators — Massachusetts Head Start Association

Dr. Sarah Tannenbaum

Dr. Sarah Tannenbaum is the Senior Director of Outpatient Clinical Services and Director of Training at The Baker Center for Children and Families. She is a board-certified child and adolescent clinical psychologist and Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Tannenbaum focuses on helping young children and caregivers build strong, supportive relationships using evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches. She has extensive experience consulting with Head Start and Early Head Start programs, as well as schools, and has trained clinicians across 20 states in best practices for supporting young children and families. As Principal Investigator on a National Child Traumatic Stress Network grant, she works to expand access to care and increase understanding of how stress and adversity impact child development. She trains educators, clinicians, and community providers in practical strategies to support children’s social, emotional, and behavioral growth.

Senior Director of Outpatient Clinical Services and Director of Training The Baker Center for Children and Families

Aditi Subramaniam

Director of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Policy Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC)

Aditi Subramaniam, LMHC, R-DMT, IECMH-E®, is both an embodied clinician at heart and a reflective systems leader, committed to justice-informed policy and practice, toward creating equitable systems to meet the needs of Massachusetts’ youngest children and their families. She serves as the Director of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Policy, at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) leading a partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Infant Mental Health (MassAIMH). In her role, she leads statewide infant and early childhood mental health workforce development, policy, and advocacy efforts. Aditi is a Zero To Three Fellow (2022-2024) and co-chair of the Zero To Three Academy, a facilitator of Talk, Touch & Listen and serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Head Start Association. Aditi is a daughter, mother, sister, dancer and art-ivist, who grew up in India. An immigrant, she and her family currently reside as guests on the traditional lands of the Massachusett tribe. The principles and practices of liberation and the arts as healing are foundational in her everyday work and lens.

Jayd Rodrigues

Jayd Rodrigues is the Executive Director of Early Education at Horizons for Homeless Children, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Early Education Center. In this role, she provides leadership across educational programming, staff supervision, and operational practices to ensure a high-quality, trauma-informed learning environment for young children experiencing homelessness. With a strong background in early childhood education and experience working with children in the foster care system, Jayd brings a deep understanding of the complex needs of young children impacted by trauma. Her approach centers on creating safe, responsive, and inclusive environments where children and families feel supported and respected. Beyond her professional role, Jayd is actively engaged in her community. She has mentored LGBTQ+ youth and volunteers her time in a community greenhouse that supports local senior citizens. Known for her optimism and her ability to build authentic connections with colleagues, families, and children, Jayd is a trusted leader and mentor within Horizons and the broader community. Jayd holds a Bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University and has pursued continuing education at Lesley University, Urban College, Harvard University, and BU Wheelock College.

Executive Director of Early Education Horizons for Homeless Children

Anat Weisenfreund

Director Community Action Pioneer Valley Head Start and Early Learning Programs

Anat Weisenfreund has worked in leadership roles with very young children, families, and practitioners in hospital, educational, government and community settings for over 30 years. She holds a master’s degree in Infant and Parent Development from Bank Street College of Education, serves as the President of the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health, and is Endorsed® as an Infant Mental Health Mentor for Policy, and as a Reflective Supervisor. For the past 17 years, Anat has directed Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Head Start and Early Learning Programs in Western Massachusetts, where she spearheaded major workforce initiatives, embedding reflective practices and trauma informed care throughout. Prior to her work in Massachusetts, Anat held clinical and leadership roles in New York City. She founded an intervention program for substance-exposed infants and their mothers at a large urban teaching hospital; oversaw the NYC Early Intervention Program for the Borough of Brooklyn, NY, developed Child Find services for the NYC Department of Health, and worked as an Assistant Commissioner for the NYC Administration for Children’s Services. Anat also works as a consultant in private practice, providing leadership coaching, reflective mentorship and various training to individuals and groups.

Aimee Mitchell

Aimee Mitchell is a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities through life's hardest moments. She is the Founder and CEO of Places to Thrive, Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit dedicated to healing and resilience, and runs a private clinical practice in Rehoboth, MA.

Aimee's work is rooted in the belief that people don't just survive hard times — they can grow through them. She specializes in trauma-informed care and has spent her career working alongside families, displaced workers, refugees, and communities facing significant change and loss.

Founder and CEO Places to Thrive, Inc.

Dr. Cheryl Hovey

Program Director of Early Childhood Education Fisher College Founder Ez Ed 2 Go

Dr. Cheryl Hovey is an early childhood consultant and the founder of Ez Ed 2 Go, where she delivers fun, engaging professional development that actually makes sense in the real world of early childhood education. She’s known for her practical approach, research-informed perspective, and ability to say the things educators are already thinking. When she’s not training or consulting, you’ll likely find her traveling, planning her next adventure, or soaking up life as a proud new Grammy to Lola. She also serves as Program Director of Early Childhood Education at Fisher College, where she remains closely connected to higher education and the preparation of future early childhood professionals.

Cory Santos

Cory, a Head Start Ambassador, is the Administrative Coordinator with the Citizens for Citizens Head Start in Fall River, MA. He has been an administrator for center-based child care in Southeastern Massachusetts for nearly 20 years. He has also worked for the Massachusetts Dept. of Health and the Dept. of Early Education and Care as a Program Coordinator, Coach and Consultant, with significant work on team building and productivity. He is an "I am Moving, I am Learning" Champion and National Presenter, promoting healthy opportunities for children, families, staff, and the community that includes physical activities through music and movement. Cory was also on the SpecialQuest National Team integrating belonging and inclusion in programs. He attended the University of Theatre studying Arts Education and Management and finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of Lesley. He is working on his Master’s in Educational Leadership and will continue to advocate for Head Start and high-quality early education and care. When not working, Cory can also be seen on and off stage in community theater as an actor, director, choreographer and producer and enjoys directing live-arts shows for children and families. Some of his other favorite hobbies include hiking, traveling and road trips with his dog Meghan.

Administrative Coordinator Citizens for Citizens Head Start

Karyn Harrington

Coach and Lead Preschool Teacher Citizens for Citizens Head Start

Karyn Harrington has been teaching since 2019. She has been part of the Citizens for Citizens Head Start team for almost 5 years. Karyn began as a lead teacher in an extended day classroom and for the past 3 years has served as a Practice Based Coach and lead preschool teacher. She knows that she was truly made to be a teacher and support other teachers. Karyn believes that children learn best through play, exploration, and active movement! She creates nurturing and engaging classrooms where hands-on experiences, music, and movement support each child’s growth and development. Karyn’s goal is to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning in every child.

Jen Malcolm-Brown, LICSW

Jen Malcolm-Brown, LICSW draws on over 15 years of experience to support children, caregivers, and professionals through an attachment-focused, trauma-responsive lens. As an affiliated consultant with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, she guides organizations through the Trauma-Informed Organizational Assessment (TIOA), helping teams recognize their strengths and adopt practical mindset shifts that lead to clear next steps. A lead trainer in the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) framework, she helps professionals throughout North America address complex trauma in youth and their caregiving systems. She supports teams in feeling more capable and confident in their roles, leading to greater staff satisfaction and more trauma-responsive care for children and families.

Affiliated Consultant The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Our Speakers and Facilitators