Dr. Theresa Hawley
(She/Her)
Executive Director
Dr. Theresa Hawley is an expert in early childhood programs and systems that support the school readiness and social competence of young children in poverty. In her previous role as Director of Early Childhood Transformation, in partnership with the Governor’s Office, she directed the design of changes to Illinois’ funding mechanisms and governance structure for early childhood education in partnership with the Governor’s Office. In her time serving as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Education, she helped to coordinate education policy across the many state agencies that cover the education spectrum from birth through higher education.
Theresa has served in many roles in Illinois’ throughout the early childhood system. From 2017 to 2019, she was Senior Vice President for Policy and Innovation at Illinois Action for Children, where she led the agency’s efforts to link together program, research and public policy and advocacy work. From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Hawley served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, where she led the development and implementation of the state’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge and Preschool Development Grant plans. Before joining the Governor’s Office, Theresa was the founding Project Director of Educare of West DuPage and a consultant to early learning programs and community collaborations across Illinois and nationally.
Theresa received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctorate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Theresa Hawley
Executive Director
Dr. Theresa Hawley is an expert in early childhood programs and systems that support the school readiness and social competence of young children in poverty. In her previous role as Director of Early Childhood Transformation, in partnership with the Governor’s Office, she directed the design of changes to Illinois’ funding mechanisms and governance structure for early childhood education in partnership with the Governor’s Office. In her time serving as First Assistant Deputy Governor for Education, she helped to coordinate education policy across the many state agencies that cover the education spectrum from birth through higher education.
Theresa has served in many roles in Illinois’ throughout the early childhood system. From 2017 to 2019, she was Senior Vice President for Policy and Innovation at Illinois Action for Children, where she led the agency’s efforts to link together program, research and public policy and advocacy work. From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Hawley served as the Executive Director of the Illinois Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, where she led the development and implementation of the state’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge and Preschool Development Grant plans. Before joining the Governor’s Office, Theresa was the founding Project Director of Educare of West DuPage and a consultant to early learning programs and community collaborations across Illinois and nationally.
Theresa received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctorate in Developmental Psychology from the University of Michigan.