A Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Colleagues,
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of representing NAFTAE at the JFF Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C. While the meetings on Capitol Hill were valuable, the moment that stayed with me wasn't inside a congressional office. It was watching organizations from across the workforce and education sectors advocate side by side.
Each organization brought its own expertise, priorities, and perspective, yet there was no competition for whose voice mattered most. Instead, there was a shared understanding that lasting change happens when we work together. Every voice had a place at the table. Every perspective added value. I left feeling heard, supported, and reminded that advocacy is at its best when it is collaborative.
Our work touches every part of society. That's one of the greatest lessons I took away from the JFF Legislative Summit. Adult education isn't separate from workforce development, economic mobility, public health, civic engagement, or community prosperity—it is connected to all of them. When we advocate for adult education, we aren't advocating for a single program or funding stream. We are advocating for stronger communities, a stronger workforce, and greater opportunity for millions of adults.
That belief is one of the reasons NAFTAE was created.
For years, adult education has had passionate advocates, dedicated educators, inspiring learners, and strong state and national leaders. What we needed was a national organization singularly focused on advocacy—one that could bring those voices together, strengthen our collective impact, and ensure adult education has a consistent, credible presence in policy conversations year-round.
That vision would not have been possible without COABE. Through years of investing in advocacy, developing leaders, mobilizing educators and learners, and building a culture of civic engagement, COABE helped create a movement strong enough to support a dedicated national advocacy organization. NAFTAE is proud to build on that legacy, and we are deeply grateful for the foundation COABE has laid.
NAFTAE was never intended to become the only voice for adult education. It was created to help unite and elevate the many voices that already exist.
Our byline is The Voice of Adult Education, and I want to share what those words mean to me.
When we say NAFTAE is The Voice of Adult Education, I don't picture one organization speaking on behalf of everyone else. I picture thousands of voices coming together around a shared purpose. The voice of adult education isn't crafted in a boardroom or written by one organization. It's built every day by educators who refuse to give up on their learners, by adult learners who courageously share their stories, by state leaders who champion their programs, and by advocates who continue showing up to make a difference.
NAFTAE's responsibility is not to replace those voices. It is to amplify them, connect them, and ensure they are heard where decisions are being made.
In just a few short weeks, I've been incredibly encouraged by the enthusiasm surrounding NAFTAE. Our partners have welcomed this new chapter with excitement and a willingness to build something together. At the same time, launching a new organization has reminded me that advocacy isn't built on a logo or a name. It's built on people who care enough to act. Fortunately, adult education has never been in short supply of passionate advocates. Together, we'll continue building recognition for NAFTAE by demonstrating our value through meaningful action and lasting partnerships.
That belief also shapes how I hope we lead.
I believe relationships matter more than transactions. I believe leadership is about building more leaders, not more followers. And I believe the strongest advocacy movement is one where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their unique perspective.
My hope is that, years from now, people will see NAFTAE as an organization that always puts the field first—one that listens before it speaks, convenes before it competes, and strengthens advocacy by bringing people together around a common purpose.
Success for NAFTAE won't be measured by what we accomplish as an organization, but by what we help the field accomplish together.
Thank you for lending your voice to this movement. Whether you're responding to an advocacy alert, meeting with a policymaker, sharing a learner's story, mentoring a new advocate, or simply inviting a colleague to get involved, you are strengthening the collective voice of adult education.
I'm honored to be on this journey with you, and I look forward to what we'll accomplish together.
With gratitude,
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