Action for Children Appoints Tasha Booker as New Chief Executive Officer | Action for Children

COLUMBUS, OH – Action for Children, central Ohio’s child care resource and referral organization dedicated to supporting families and early childhood educators, is proud to announce the appointment of Tasha Booker as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 6, 2025. She brings over two decades of leadership in nonprofit management, education, and strategic communications, positioning her as the ideal leader to advance the organization’s mission.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tasha Booker as our new CEO,” Mary Kay Irwin, President of the Board of
Directors said. “Her proven ability to transform organizations, foster partnerships, and lead with vision and compassion will be a tremendous asset to Action for Children as we continue to serve central Ohio’s families and educators.”

Tasha most recently served as Senior Vice President of External Engagement at City Year Inc., a national education equity organization, where she led the national communications and marketing strategies for 29 cities and spearheaded a $24 million communications plan. As Executive Director for City Year Columbus, Tasha successfully increased private revenue by 62% and helped position City Year Columbus as a site of national excellence. She is excited to bring this expertise to Action for Children.

“I am deeply honored to join Action for Children as CEO, especially during this unprecedented time of growth in our region. I look forward to working with the Action for Children staff, board, and our community to ensure that all children in central Ohio can begin their educational journey with a strong foundation.”

The CEO search was conducted by the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio in collaboration with Action for Children’s Board of Directors. The search included valuable input from staff, partners, and stakeholders who emphasized the importance of a leader with strong communication skills, vision, and a commitment to equity.

“Tasha’s extensive experience in building relationships with diverse communities and her dedication to equity make her an ideal fit for the role,” Lisa Courtice, President and CEO of United Way of Central Ohio said. “At United Way, we know early childhood education is critical to future success, which is why our Success by Third Grade movement aims to ensure all children are reading proficiently by the third grade. Tasha’s vision aligns with this goal, and her leadership at Action for Children will further empower families and educators in central Ohio through collective impact.”

As the new CEO, Tasha will focus on positioning Action for Children as the leading voice for early care and education advocacy in the region. Her priorities will include expanding partnerships with government, businesses, and the community to address pressing child care challenges and strengthen family support systems.

“Ensuring every child has access to quality early childhood education and care is essential for the well-being of our families and our local economy,” Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley said. “I look forward to seeing the transformative impact Tasha’s vision and dedication will bring to central Ohio’s early care and education landscape ensuring all children have the same opportunities to thrive and not just survive.”

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About Action for Children
Action for Children is the local child care resource and referral agency for central Ohio and is committed to assuring quality early learning experiences for all children. Their services focus on transforming the lives of children by supporting the everyday heroes who most influence our children’s early growth: care givers, educators, parents, and guardians. To learn more, visit www.actionforchildren.org.