Our Coaches

Nicolette is an experienced leader with a strong background in advocacy, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and anti-racism programming across various sectors, particularly in early childhood and family advocacy.

She has had the privilege of supporting national and state organization’s responsible for the care of young children and families towards their DEI vision, guiding executive leadership towards a more equitable mission, and leading the strategic implementation of anti-racism initiatives. Her most relevant experience is being a parent to young children who have experienced racial discrimination and bias in early care and educational settings. Her direct mission derives from working within systems directly impacting children, working as an early childhood professional, and being a parent of five young children and knowing that the gaps between those worlds must be bridged.

Nicolette holds a bachelor’s degree in child psychology, a master’s in advocacy and political leadership, a diversity and equity certificate from the University of Minnesota, and an executive leadership coaching certificate from Harvard University. She is a certified Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) qualified administrator, an Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICSI) qualified administrator, a Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) administrator, a YWCA Racial Justice Facilitator. She also has more than seven years of experience facilitating workshops on racial consciousness and anti-racism practices with professionals whose work directly impacts children and families.

Amy has been working in early childhood for 26 years and holds an M.Ed. in early childhood education. She has worked as an early childhood specialist at the Child Development Laboratory School and mentor teacher for University of Minnesota students seeking degrees in early childhood education. She has been a coach with YHOM for two years.

Mary R. is a former preschool teacher who now writes books for children and young adults. She is passionate about supporting teachers and creating more equitable experiences for young children.

Facilitating for Young Hearts Open Minds brings Katie Xiong great joy and complements her usual work as a teacher trainer and coach in the early childhood field. Her passion is in early childhood education because she believes in the importance of supporting young children’s development and learning in their early years. In her free time, Katie can be found creating, reading, or enjoying the outside all four seasons.