Portia Kennel is a veteran leader in the early childhood field; before joining the foundation in 2015, she worked as the Senior Vice President for Program Innovation at the Ounce of Prevention Fund in Chicago as well as Founding Executive Director of the coast-to-coast Educare Learning Network. In her current role, Portia is spearheading pioneering work to redefine “authentic family engagement” in the 21st century. Ms. Kennel has more than 25 years of experience developing, implementing and scaling effective, research-based early childhood education, home visiting and family support program models for children and their families, including serving as a Head Start Director. Kennel holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois and is a ZERO TO THREE Fellow.
Portia Kennel
Senior Advisor
Buffett Early Childhood Fund