Kerrie L. Schnake, M.A. announced as member of the competitive 2018-2020 ZERO TO THREE Fellowship Class

For Immediate Release:                                                                                              

Contact: Madeline Daniels

(202) 857-2994


WASHINGTON– ZERO TO THREE, the leading nonprofit dedicated to ensuring babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, announced today its 2018-2020 Fellowship Class. Kerrie L. Schnake, M.A., Director at the South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care was among those selected.

ZERO TO THREE Fellows are a network of diverse leaders spanning professions and sectors who have the knowledge and passion to be change agents for infants, toddlers and their families. 

“Through her passion, will, and vision, Kerrie L. Schnake, M.A. has made a marked impact of the lives of babies and toddlers around the world,” said Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of ZERO TO THREE. “ZERO TO THREE is excited to welcome these 15 accomplished early childhood development professionals into the prestigious fellowship program. The fellowship provides a vast array of experiences to deepen knowledge and skills, expand networks, and enhance the capacity of these changemakers to transform systems and policies to improve the health and well-being of our youngest children.” 

The members of the 2018-2020 ZERO TO THREE Fellowship Class are: 

  • Obianuju O. Berry, M.D., M.P.H.; 
    Attending Psychiatrist/Instructor of Psychiatry and Adjunct Associate Research Scientist, Columbia University Medical Center
  • Melissa Buchholz, Psy.D.; School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital, University of Colorado – Denver
  • Natasha Byars, M.S., M.S.W., LICSW; Young Children’s System of Care Program Manager, Boston Public Health Commission 
  • Ann Chu, Ph.D.; Assistant Adjunct Clinical Professor and Associate Director of Dissemination and Research, University of California – San Francisco 
  • Raquel Munarriz Diaz, Ed.D.; Learning Network Manager, Lastinger Center for Learning at University of Florida
  • Nana Esi Gaisie, MB.Ch.B./M.D.; Pediatrics Staff Physician, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Ghana
  • Jennifer Harman, Ph.D.; Clinical Staff Psychologist, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  • Aimee Hilado, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.; Assistant Professor, Social Work Program, Northeastern Illinois University
  • Lee Hinton, M.S.W.; Program Manager, Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, Canada 
  • Erin Lucas, M.A., L.I.C.S.W.; Director, Early Childhood Programs, Hopewell Health Centers
  • Crissie McMullan, M.S.; Executive Director, Mountain Home Montana
  • Sandipan Paul, M.A.; International Consultant, UNICEF Afghanistan 
  • Hindolo Pokawa, M.A.; Founder & Executive Director, Sierra Leone Foundation for New Democracy (SLFND)
  • Kerrie L. Schnake, M.A.; South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care, Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness, Medical University of South Carolina
  • Ekaterina Zoubak, M.A.; Public Health Advisor, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

For more than three decades, the ZERO TO THREE Fellowship has been the premier leadership experience for professionals who work to be champions in the lives of infants, toddlers, and their families. 

The 2018-2020 Fellowship Class was chosen from the largest application pool to date. The goal of the rigorous review process is to select an exemplary class that represents a wide array of disciplines, sectors, geographic locations, and perspectives. 

Learn more about the ZERO TO THREE fellowship program and see biographies of each selected fellow at zerotothree.org/fellows. 

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About ZERO TO THREE

ZERO TO THREE works to ensure all babies and toddlers benefit from the family and community connections critical to their well-being and development. Since 1977, the organization has advanced the proven power of nurturing relationships by transforming the science of early childhood into helpful resources, practical tools and responsive policies for millions of parents, professionals and policymakers. For more information, and to learn how to become a ZERO TO THREE member, please visit zerotothree.org,facebook.com/zerotothree, or follow @zerotothree on Twitter.