Donna Smythe, Executive Director

Donna Smythe was appointed Executive Director of the Child Development Association in 2005.

Donna has extensive, hands-on experience devoted to non-profit organizations, tackling an array of issues including education, child welfare, health, housing, employment, environment, and criminal justice. She has assumed a variety of leadership roles, serving at various times as executive director, development director, board member and consultant.

Prior to joining the CDA, Donna was the Development and Marketing Director for The Clean Air Campaign. Since moving to Atlanta in 1991, she has served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity Atlanta, the Horizon Theatre, and Telltale Theatre. In 2004, Donna co-founded Ovarian Cycle, which has raised almost $750,000 for medical research into a diagnostic test for ovarian cancer.

Donna grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and graduated from Wellesley College in 1974. She has an M.S. in the Administration of Justice from the University of Louisville and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the College of St. Thomas (Minnesota). Her husband Alec is the President of Team Forte, Inc., a marketing consulting firm. They have three daughters. Laura is a graduate of Vassar College and lives in Nairobi, Kenya where she and her husband work for the United States Department of State. After graduating from Wellesley College, daughter Langdon conducted genome analysis research at UCSF and is now enrolled in Emory University School of Medicine. Louisa graduated from Bryn Mawr College and works in environmental restoration with the Center for Creative Land Recycling in San Francisco.

Donna is pleased to be at the helm of an organization with a rich history of broad community support.

Nitza Vega-Lahr, Education Director

Nitza Vega-Lahr became the CDA’s Education Director in 2007, following two years as its Educational Specialist and prior experience as a consultant for the organization. She manages the day-to-day activities and operations of the childcare center, overseeing the CDA’s teaching and childcare staff; classroom operations, student evaluations and much more.

Nitza received her PhD in Developmental Psychology from Florida International University, and has worked extensively in the field of early childhood education and curriculum development; her background includes the following experience:

• Served on the Georgia Early Learning Standards Initiative Expert Panel, Bright from the Start Program, implemented by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
• Spanish-English translator and interpreter, specializing in areas of education and psychology
• Works as a trainer for Project SCEIS (Skilled Credentialed Early Interventionists) through Babies Can’t Wait Early Intervention Training Network.
• Developed and implemented training modules on inclusion, early intervention, and children with special needs, which were targeted to early childhood education professionals
• Developed and implemented an inclusive childcare program, trained staff and provided on-site consultation at The Fraser Center s Children s Services Division.

Staff

The CDA staff includes 28 full-time teachers, six management and administrative staff, a family resources coordinator, two food service staff, a facility manager and custodian.