The McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University Honors Michelle Kang with Visionary Leadership Award
CHICAGO (May 6, 2025) – The McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University is pleased to announce Michelle Kang, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), will receive the Visionary Leadership Award at this year’s Leadership Connections: National Conference for Early Childhood Leaders, taking place May 7–10. Leadership Connections is hosted by the McCormick Institute’s Center for Early Childhood Leadership, which marks its 40th anniversary this year and leads the university’s mission to promote access, equity, and innovation in the early childhood education (ECE) sector.
The Visionary Leadership Award was developed to honor the Center’s founder, Paula Jorde Bloom. Paula’s work as a visionary leader for early childhood administration serves as an exemplar for the profession today. Kang’s values and achievements strongly reflect the McCormick Institute’s mission to advance early childhood leadership and policy, and her transformative impact exemplifies Paula’s spirit. As this year’s Visionary Leader, Kang will speak at the conference’s Leadership Colloquium on Thursday evening.
“We are honored to recognize Michelle Kang as this year’s Visionary Leader at Leadership Connections. Michelle is a resolute leader and model of what it means to stand up for the Early Childhood Education and Care profession, children, and families. Her work serves as an example for all of us in the profession,” shared Dr. Lisa Downey, Executive Director of the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University.
As CEO of NAEYC, Kang has been a steadfast champion for the early childhood workforce. She has elevated the voices of educators nationwide, championed increased compensation and professional recognition, and pushed for greater systemic investment in the field. Through bold and strategic leadership, Kang has advanced the cause of high-quality early childhood education and played a pivotal role in shaping national discourse on the value of the early learning workforce and the importance of equitable access to quality childcare.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award named for Dr. Paula Jorde Bloom, whose groundbreaking work in early childhood education continues to shape our field today. Paula understood that visionary leadership requires both heart and strategic thinking—qualities the McCormick Institute exemplifies through its commitment to excellence,” said Michelle Kang. “As NAEYC approaches its centennial, I'm inspired to continue Paula's legacy of elevating our profession through research, mentorship, and advocacy. This recognition affirms that when we invest in early childhood leadership, we create ripples of positive change that extend to every child, family, and community we serve.”
To honor this achievement, conference attendees are invited to a special reception on Thursday, May 8, featuring a “garden-side chat” on the inspiring story of Kang’s leadership journey and her road to becoming a trusted national voice and thought leader in the early childhood profession. This unique event aims to motivate participants and provoke thoughtful dialogue. The Leadership Colloquium also serves as a forum to explore and challenge current perspectives on leadership in the early childhood education field.
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