Our People
The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University is a multi-disciplinary group of staff, faculty, fellows, and partners.
The Center is focused on leveraging the power of science in pursuit of better, more equitable outcomes for young children, particularly those who face adversity early in life. Drawing on a diverse range of talents, expertise, knowledge, and lived experiences, we are committed to our shared vision of a world where every child grows up in a developmental environment where they have what they need to thrive.
Read on to learn more about our leadership and staff, as well as our Founding Director, Affiliated Faculty, and Center and Senior Fellows.
Senior Leadership
Gillian A. Najarian, EdM
Co-Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer
Tassy Warren, EdM
Co-Executive Director and Chief Strategy Officer
Corey Zimmerman, EdM
Deputy Director and Chief Engagement and Partnerships Officer
Lindsey C. Burghardt, MD, MPH, FAAP
Chief Science Officer
Staff
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Russ Apotheker
Assistant Director of Web Services
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Aeshna Badruzzaman, PhD
Project Director for CARE and Senior Project Manager for Instructional Design
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Melanie Berry, PsyD
Director of the Pediatric Innovation Initiative
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Arielle Black-Foley
Project Coordinator for Finance, Equity, and Administration
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James Cairns, MA
Senior Director, Strategic Engagements and Organizational Learning
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Jessica Chasse, MA
Grants Manager
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Cerella Craig, MPH
Senior Project Manager
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Susan Crowley, MPA
Senior Project Manager
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Nighisti Dawit, MSc
Senior Project Manager, Policy Initiatives
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Sally Gibney, MA
Senior Project Manager
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Jeremy Guardiola, MA
Advisor for Strategic Initiatives to Dr. Jack Shonkoff, Founding Director
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María José Guerrero, EdM
Project Manager
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Rebecca Hansen, MFA
Director of Communications
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Amelia Johnson
Communications Lead
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Madeleine Kim, MPH
Project Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
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Dominique Lightsey-Joseph, EdD, MEd
Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategy
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Licong Liu
Director of Finance and Operations
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Cindy Martell
Executive Coordinator
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Theresa Kennelly Mooney, MA
Assistant Director, Communications
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Priscila Pumarada Urrutia, EdM
Chief of Staff
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Melissa Rivard, EdM
Director of Engagement Strategies
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Nirka Rosa
Senior Project Manager, Administration and Culture
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Evan Roth-Howe, MA
Senior Project Manager
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Katie Sherman
Project Manager
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Anna Williams Sjörs
Senior Content Writer