Jessica Mihaly

Jessica Mihaly was the founding director of the Early Learning Center in the Menlo Park City School District, where she led a multi-sector community effort to develop the program’s vision, policies, curriculum, and staff development. Under her leadership, the center received the California School Board Association’s Golden Bell Award and the San Mateo County Office of Education Kent Award. She continues to serve as a consultant and advisor to the program. Mihaly has been an initiative officer for The Big Lift at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a senior program associate at the E3 Institute at WestEd, and a program specialist at First 5 San Mateo County, managing early learning grants and initiatives. She has also been adjunct faculty in child development at City College of San Francisco, Cañada College, and Skyline College. She currently provides strategic planning and advising as a consultant to philanthropic, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. Mihaly earned her MA in early childhood education from Mills College.

updated 2025