For over 18 years, Ruth Schmidt has led Wisconsin EarlyChildhood Association, Wisconsin’s largest membership and service organization for early childhood educators and the state affiliate of the NationalAssociation for the Education of Young Children.  Ruth is a leading voice on both state and national levels for strengthening the early childhood education workforce through policy and systems improvement and greater public investments.   She serves on Governor Tony Evers’ EarlyChildhood Advisory Council and Congressman Mark Pocan's K-12 and EarlyChildhood Education Advisory Group. Under her direction, WECA leads theWisconsin Infant Toddler Policy Project. She is co-chair of Wisconsin Partners and is the recipient of the 2019Community Change-Maker Award by Community Shares of Wisconsin.  Ms. Schmidt earned her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College.