First Five Years Fund Announces New Hires

WASHINGTON – First Five Years Fund (FFYF), the leading bipartisan federal advocacy organization focused on child care and early learning, announced three new hires this week to support their policy and government relations work.

Melissa Edwards joins FFYF as Director of Operations and Chief of Staff. She previously served as the executive director of operations for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, where she oversaw the Foundation’s financial operations, budget and spending, and grants management.

Abby Holland joins FFYF as the Government Affairs Manager. She previously served as Senior Legislative Assistant for Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), where her portfolio included child care, education, workforce, and labor.

Holly Evans joins FFYF as a Policy and Research Analyst. She was previously an intern at the Policy Equity Group, a small early childhood consultancy based in Washington D.C., and graduated from Bryn Mawr College in May with an honors degree in sociology.

“We’re extremely fortunate to have this incredible group joining our team as we start the new year,” said FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling. “Their experience will round out FFYF’s robust, inter-connected policy, government relations and communications work, while expanding the team’s expertise and capacity as we work to drive progress and galvanize support for policies that result in increased access to quality child care and early learning.”

As FFYF prepares to capitalize on the opportunities ahead, they have also expanded their existing communications and coalitions teams’ roles and responsibilities. 

Christy Felling has been named Managing Director, Communications and Marketing. Previously, as Director of Communications and Marketing, Felling helped to grow FFYF’s communications and public relations operations on the Hill, in the business community, and in key states. Joseph O’Hern has been named Director, Coalition & Campaign for First Five Action, FFYF’s political arm. As Manager of Coalition & Campaign, Joe helped to create and expand First Five Action’s reach across the country and build public support for child care and early learning policies among candidates, grasstops, constituents, and fellow advocates.

ABOUT FIRST FIVE YEARS FUND

The first five years last forever. At First Five Years Fund, we work to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide. Join us at www.ffyf.org.