BROOMFIELD EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL
2026
The Executive Board of Directors is charged to guide the operation, financials, and future direction of the Council. It is comprised of various community members all across the county who have a stake in the work of early childhood and outcomes of the Council. All are Board members are voted in by the current Board members.
Interested in becoming a Board Member? Click here to learn more about the time commitment, responsibilities and other work of a board member!
ANITA RICH
PRESIDENT
Anita is a Broomfield resident and a grandmother of two. She is an ongoing active participant in child health policy at a State level. Anita joined our Board in 2020.
Term as President: 2023 - 2025
SHERI NEELEY
INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT
Sheri is the proud mother of five active sons and is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor with the City and County of Broomfield with a background in Community Health Education. She is passionate about building community, making connections, and sharing information to help others.
Board term: 2024-2026
DEBBIE KUNZ
TREASURER
Debbie has extensive knowledge in early childhood education and leadership. Coming to Broomfield from Missouri, she has brought this knowledge and experience to Bal Swan Children's Center as the Executive Director.
Treasurer term: 2nd term, 2023 - 2025
KATHRYN STRONG
SECRETARY
Kathryn Strong recently retired after 26 years with the City of Lakewood’s Head Start program where she was a classroom and early childhood education coordinator. She has experience with all levels of program operations including Colorado State child care licensing, health department standards and Colorado Shines. Kathryn loves data and the stories it can tell. She has lived in Broomfield for 20 years and her grown children went through Adams 12 schools.
Board term: 2024-2026
MELISSA MOSSONI
MEMBER AT LARGE
Melissa brings twenty years of executive sales and marketing experience within the Biotech industries. Her passion now lies in non-profit and community engagement while promoting education and awareness in multiple facets of personal safety and well-being. She is a small business owner, wife and Mother to a first grader and is blessed to live in Broomfield.
Board term: 2024-2026
ANTHONY JOHNSON
MEMBER AT LARGE
Anthony Johnson is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather with a passion for community connection and mental health advocacy. He has served in both the St. Vrain Valley and Boulder Valley School Districts in Special Education and as a campus supervisor, supporting students with diverse needs.
Anthony previously worked at Mental Health Partners (MHP), where he focused connecting people to mental health resources based on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) through community engagement. He is now the Founder and Executive Director of Cultural Brokers Advocates (CBA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting individuals and families to culturally relevant mental health resources and support.
Board term: 2024-2026
DR. ZION GERSAW
MEMBER AT LARGE
Dr. Tsion Gezaw McKenzie is a school leader, education consultant and instructional coach with over a decade of experience supporting students, educators and school systems. She specializes in curriculum implementation, culturally responsive practices and adult learning.
She brings a systems-level lens grounded in care, clarity and high expectations and is known for building trust while driving meaningful improvement. She is also the co-founder of the McKenzie Institute of Liberating Excellence, where she partners with schools, families and organizations to support high-quality instruction and leadership development.
Board term: 2026-2028
STEVE CALLEY
MEMBER AT LARGE
Steve is a devoted husband and father of 4 kids (1 girl and 3 boys). He has been a Broomfield resident since Dec 2014. Steve is a Colorado native that grew up in Arvada. Steve is a residential realtor, devout Christian, and has a passion for sports and coaching his kids. He joined the board in August 2025, and looks forward to contributing and giving back to the community through his service.
Board term: 2025-2027
ANNIKA PAPKE
MEMBER AT LARGE
Annika is a Broomfield resident, mom, and maternal mental health advocate. She has her own therapy practice in Broomfield and specializes in helping women navigate pregnancy, postpartum and the emotional realities of early parenthood.
Board term: 2026-2028
STAFF & CONTRACTORS
BECC STAFF
BROOKE BROGLE
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Brooke is a certified Pyramid Plus Trainer and was a preschool teacher for 10 years at Bal Swan Children’s Center, a Pyramid Plus demonstration site. She is co-author of the Backpack Series, a nationally available resource to partner families with teachers in promoting positive social emotional skills and reducing challenging behavior.
Brooke is passionate about empowering young children and helping adults support children in becoming the best versions of themselves.
MERCY MANRESA
Family Engagement
Program Coordinator
FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Mercy has been working with the BECC since 2015. Her focus is on supporting parents be the best they can for their children. She manages all programs supporting family engagement and skill building. She is the primary instructor for Incredible Years and Confident Parenting - parenting skill building programs.
Mercy is a Broomfield resident since 2003. She and her husband are busy raising their three boys. She enjoys hiking and being outdoors with her family and is grateful for all the opportunity and encouragement she has had supporting local parents!
SHELLEY JICHA
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT COACH & RESOURCE COORDINATOR
Shelley has been in early childhood for over 28 years. She has multiple credentials and certificates including a ECE Coaching Certificate through C.U. at the Masters level. Shelley has been coaching in Broomfield for the last two years.
Shelley has been married for over 35 years with four grown children, two sons-in-law and
the best grandson ever!
Shelley loves traveling to see friends and family and loves being near any kind of streams, lakes or the ocean.
JESSICA JONES
DIRECTOR
Jessica has worked in Broomfield since 2006 and the official Director of BECC since 2014. She has worked in Broomfield community based programs from juvenile justice to senior recreation and nutrition. However, early childhood is where she feels the greatest impact to our community. She thrives in collaborative partnerships and finding creative ways to accomplish difficult tasks. She has a bachelors in Communication from CU Boulder and an MBA from University of Northern Colorado.
Jessica used to live in France and speaks French. She has two adult children, two beautiful dogs and a loving, patient husband.
