Yohaina Martinez and Gaby Paulino-Pena were honored at the 2026 National Association for Family Child Care Annual Conference for graduating from the NAFCC Leaders Shaping Leaders Academy.
This Academy is a year-long series of professional development sessions intended to cultivate future leaders by pairing them with peer mentors, who share strategies and insights regarding family child care leadership. These conversations are immediately applicable in their day-to-day work and create a network of fellow leaders and connections in the field. QUALITYstarsNY interviewed Yohaina and Gaby about their experience in Leaders Shaping Leaders.
What is the most valuable lesson you learned during your Leaders Shaping Leaders journey?
Yohaina: Throughout this year-long journey, I gained valuable lessons from each of the program’s core pillars: Strategic Leadership, Financial Literacy, the Advocacy Toolkit, and Public Policy. I learned how to lead my team and collaborate with fellow providers more effectively so that we can create lasting change in child care. I also developed a deeper understanding of the true cost of operating a high-quality program, not only managing day-to-day expenses, but also planning for retirement, preparing for unforeseen circumstances, and ensuring that the program can continue beyond my own leadership through succession planning.
The experience also broadened my understanding of advocacy. I realized that advocacy is not limited to the families and communities I serve locally. Our cohort included providers from across the country who are facing many of the same challenges, and in some cases even greater ones. When we come together as a collective voice, we can accomplish far more than we can by working in silos or focusing only on small local victories. Learning how public policy is developed also showed me that, as leaders, we have the ability to help shape the future of child care.
Most importantly, I learned that there are dedicated providers across the country who are willing to put in the time, effort, and leadership needed to make child care more sustainable and ensure that it is recognized and respected as a professional field.
Gaby: The most valuable lesson I learned is that leadership is about creating opportunities for others and using your voice to advocate for meaningful change. The program showed me that family child care providers are not just educators, we are business owners, community leaders, and policy advocates. It reinforced the importance of collaboration and the impact we can have when we lead with purpose.
In what ways has this experience strengthened your confidence and leadership as a family child care professional?
Yohaina: This experience has strengthened my belief that I have the power to help change the trajectory of child care. I am more confident in my ability to lead, advocate, and create meaningful change because I now have both the practical tools and the professional connections needed to make an impact.
Gaby: This experience gave me the confidence to step into leadership roles beyond my own program. It strengthened my ability to advocate for children, families, and providers at the local, state, and national levels. It also inspired me to pursue new opportunities, including serving on the NAFCC Policy Council, where I can help shape policies that impact the future of family child care.
What goals do you have for your program and your leadership journey moving forward?
Yohaina: One of my primary goals is to continue developing and providing meaningful professional development opportunities for providers throughout New York State. I want to help ensure that the child care workforce is prepared, supported, and equipped to continue providing high-quality services to all children and families. I also plan to become a more active advocate and leader in early childhood policy, using my experience and voice to help shape policies that strengthen and sustain the field.
Gaby: My goal is to continue building an inclusive, high-quality early childhood program where every child can thrive. I also want to expand professional development opportunities for providers, particularly in supporting children with diverse needs and exploring how technology and AI can enhance early learning. As a leader, I hope to continue influencing policy, mentoring other providers, and helping elevate the family child care profession.
If you could share one piece of advice for emerging leaders in family child care, what would it be?
Yohaina: Take the time to build genuine relationships with fellow child care providers, community leaders, and local representatives. Share your knowledge, remain open to learning from others, and create a strong network of people who are committed to improving child care. Stay informed about the policies that affect your program, your profession, and the families you serve, and do not be afraid to speak up when something does not seem right. Your voice and experience are valuable, and meaningful change begins when you choose to use them.
Gaby: Believe that your voice matters. Don’t wait until you feel like an expert to get involved. Build relationships, seek out mentors, continue learning, and never underestimate the impact you can have on children, families, and the future of our profession. Every leader starts by taking that first step.
How has your work with QUALITYstarsNY and your Quality Improvement Specialist, Lisa Kominos, supported your growth and success in the program?
Yohaina: Lisa has been incredibly supportive from day one. She has consistently connected me with helpful resources, including relevant trainings and individuals who could provide additional guidance or support. Her encouragement, knowledge, and willingness to help have played an important role in my growth and success throughout the program.
Gaby: QUALITYstarsNY and my Quality Improvement Specialist have been instrumental in helping me strengthen both my program and my leadership. The coaching, feedback, and resources challenged me to continuously improve our learning environment, instructional practices, and family engagement. Having a trusted partner to provide guidance, celebrate successes, and help navigate challenges has been invaluable in supporting our commitment to high-quality early childhood education.
