In November Empower Missouri will host its annual Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit, bringing together advocates from across the state to explore the many ways poverty impacts our neighbors’ lives, and how effective policy change can serve as a long-term solution. We’re excited to welcome Annie Watson to open the Summit with our morning keynote!
About Annie
Annie Watson (she/her) is a systems thinker who enjoys moving towards a long-term vision while seeing how the pieces connect. With a diverse array of experiences in early care and education, Annie has worn multiple hats, including those of a classroom teacher, education coach, home visitation director, pedagogical consultant, and nonprofit leader. She has significant expertise in coalition building and creating and implementing complex strategic plans.
Bringing over 15 years of experience to the role, Annie serves as a Principal Associate at School Readiness Consulting (SRC), providing technical assistance and strategic planning support to public, private, and non-profit organizations working to advance early childhood policies, investments, and systems-building efforts. Annie often leads communities of practice and learning spaces to increase the capacity of the early childhood field to lead for equity and anti-oppression.
Prior to SRC, Annie served as the Director of Early Education and Parent Success at Turn the Page Kansas City, a collective impact organization focused on third-grade reading proficiency and equitable access to early childhood services. There she focused her efforts on increasing diversity and inclusion in Kansas City’s public school libraries, increasing equitable access to early childhood education, and supporting parent leaders to engage in participatory democracy. Outside of work, Annie can often be found hiking with her husband and four children, nurturing parent leaders, or trying to find the bottom of the laundry pile.
About the Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit
For over 120 years Empower Missouri has brought together a team of anti-poverty advocates to learn together, make connections, and advance our mission. Our 2023 Anti-Poverty Advocates Summit will be held on November 6th and 7th at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Columbia, Missouri. Early Bird tickets are now on sale for just $99, a savings of $50!
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