Daughter of Immigrants Inspires Thousands of Educators Through Care and Kindness: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Early Childhood, Michelle Kang, CEO of NAEYC



GlobalMindED is proud to introduce the 15 2026 Exceptional Leader Award winners daily over the next two weeks. Read about these leaders and role models who stand out in their respective fields, inspiring their peers and the next generation that GlobalMindED serves. Meet them in Denver on June 10th at the awards dinner and hear them speak as part of 400+ speakers, 1,000+ attendees, and students at the GlobalMindED 2026 Conference, "Dimensions of our Democracy: Architecting the Next 250+ Years and Beyond," on June 11-12.

Michelle Kang, CEO of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is a leading advocate for early childhood education. Kang has built a career at the intersection of education and business. Known for a leadership style grounded in care, authenticity, and kindness, she represents tens of thousands of early childhood educators nationwide, amplifying their voices and advocating for sustained investment, professional recognition, and equitable systems that allow all children—regardless of background—to reach their full potential.

What is your personal story - how did you find your purpose and your passion? 

My purpose was shaped early on, witnessing my immigrant parents build a life from scratch. My father arrived from South Korea with $200 and a suitcase. My parents’ success was proof that America holds promise for immigrants, that the impossible dream is possible. 

I originally set out to be a pediatrician, but I started volunteering with CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocates—where volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect, including many in foster care. Through CASA, I realized the largest impact wouldn’t come from treating individual patients, but from systemic change that could reach thousands of children at once. That helped solidify my passion for advocating for children, families, and the educators who serve them. 

What led you to the leadership role for which you are being recognized? 

I had to unlearn what leadership looked like. Growing up, people assumed I’d be quiet and deferential because of how I looked and my family background, including being an ESL learner. Later, as I advanced professionally, others told me I needed to be fiery and loud to lead effectively. None of that felt authentic. I’ve learned that my leadership builds strength through care and kindness—not despite it, but because of it. 

I pursued both education and business degrees, and then went to work for a large child care system before finding my way to NAEYC, first in a strategy role and now as CEO. 

Leading NAEYC means representing tens of thousands of educators who work miracles under impossible circumstances. These passionate educators need someone who understands both their personal circumstances and the external factors that influence their ability to do their jobs. So I see it as my role to amplify their voices and transform their stories into movements that drive systemic investment in early childhood education. 

As we celebrate America’s 250th, what is your highest hope for our democracy? 

My highest hope is that America finally recognizes early childhood education as the backbone of our country. For too long, our country and its democratically elected leaders have treated this work as optional, that it’s worth only what cash-strapped parents can afford, that educators should bear the real costs without living wages or support. 

For our democracy’s next 250 years, I hope we see educators not as babysitters but as the professionals they are: as the developers of human potential. I hope we create systems where children have access to that transformative care regardless of their families’ resources. Democracy thrives when every child can reach their full potential. That requires investing in the educators who make it possible. 

How can GlobalMindED inform, advance, and/or multiply your mission?

GlobalMindED’s talent pipeline model complements NAEYC’s work. We’re losing educators at extraordinary rates because they cannot afford to stay in a profession they love. GlobalMindED’s focus on connecting students with promotion-ready pathways, mentorship, and leadership development could powerfully benefit early

childhood education recruitment and retention. Most powerfully, GlobalMindED's values - empowerment, inclusive opportunity, lifelong learning, compassion - mirror what we need in early childhood education.

You can celebrate Michelle Kang and the other honorees at the Exceptional Leader Awards Dinner on June 10th in Denver and hear insights from her during the conference that follows. Read our newsletter each day and register for the conference by January 31 for the Early Bird rate!