Terra Blanchard
Board Member

I was born and raised in The Yukon. My goal, since graduating with my ELCC diploma, is to help bring more awareness to the value of Early Childhood Education. I am the supervisor for the Dunena Ko’honete ko Daycare in Mayo. I serve on JV Clark’s school council, and I am a part of the Early Learning Program Advisory Committee. I believe children are capable and competent and deserve a high-quality environment. That educators work hard and need proper recognition.

Jennifer Bugg
Board Member

Inclusion is my passion. I began working in Early Learning and Inclusion in 2009 and am now a program coordinator at the Child Development Centre. The children, families and educators inspire me every day to learn and grow and to better serve The Yukon. I am also a sessional instructor for the Early Learning Department at Yukon University. I have been in The Yukon for 14 years and call it my home.

Cyndi Desharnais
Board Member

I am a long-time Yukoner and believe that ages 0 to 6 is the greatest learning curve in a person’s life. I have been in the early childhood education field for nearly 30 years as a Day Care Director. I am President of the Yukon Child Care Association and am an active member of the Canadian Child Care Federation Council.

Ashley Griffis
Board Member

I am a life-long Yukoner and have been in the field of early learning in one form or another since 1997. Most recently I have found a passion in supported childcare, inclusive practice, and social emotional development. I am currently working at the Child Development Center as an inclusion coach with the Early Learning Program Support (ELPS) team.

Clayton Keats
Vice Chair

I arrived in Yukon in 1998 when I moved from my hometown of Bonavista, NL. I’ve served the Child Care field in many capacities and have been working at Church of the Nazarene Daycare since 2002, where I also hold the position of Associate Pastor.

Kristy Kennedy
Board Member

I joined the high-stakes world of affordable, accessible, inclusive and quality care while endeavouring to raise my own children in Whitehorse over the past decade. My front row seat to the good, the bad, and the truly exceptional care our community has to offer motivated me to take a more active role in shaping the systems and supports we provide to these vulnerable members of our community. I joined the YCCB because all children (and their parents, siblings, grandparents, care-givers, and society members) deserve nothing less than exceptional care during their early years.

Laurie Parker
Chair

On the first day of Kindergarten, I came home and told my Mom that I was going to be a teacher. That dream never once wavered. I graduated in early learning in 1981 and have worked with young children for over 40 years. In the past few years my work has expanded to being an instructor for the Early Learning Department at Yukon University.

Sophie Partridge
Administrative Support

I arrived in Yukon in 1972 and quickly adapted to life in the Yukon. I worked with the Government of Yukon in many exciting capacities and began supporting YCCB in 1998. I know how vital the work of YCCB is to the overall well-being of children.