Gina Daleiden was appointed interim executive director of the First 5 Yolo Children and Families Commission at its September 9 meeting. Yolo County resident Daleiden has served as deputy director to Yolo County Supervisor Jim Provenza (4th District) since 2008 and will serve in both roles until a permanent executive director is selected.
“Gina has exceptional government organization, interpersonal and alliance-building skills with a well-documented passion for children’s issues,” stated Provenza. “By appointing Ms. Daleiden, a county employee, to this interim role, First 5 Yolo will benefit from a cost savings of nearly $30,000 during the approximately three months it will take to recruit a new full-time executive director.”
Daleiden will remain as deputy supervisor at Yolo County and begin her collateral assignment on September 14th.
Daleiden served on the Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) Board for 9 years, twice as president. Her experience on the school board included global oversight of a $70 million budget and responsibility for over 5,000 students in the Davis schools. She is intimately familiar with policy creation, fiscal and strategic planning, and community outreach. Daleiden co-chaired several successful parcel tax campaigns for the Davis public schools and worked to institute the first transitional kindergarten classes at the DJUSD and expansion of special education preschool.
“Julie Gallelo has been an incredible and well-respected executive director for First 5 Yolo,” said Daleiden. “I am honored by the commission’s confidence in me, and I look forward to serving the interests of young children in our community, as they conduct a search for a new executive director. With the support of the commissioners and staff, we will continue on a smooth path to implement First 5 Yolo’s 2015-2018 strategic plan.”
Provenza added, “We are very fortunate to have someone of this caliber who is both familiar with First 5 Yolo’s programs and is willing to take on additional responsibility to help the commission through this transition period. Gina’s strong relationships with local elected leaders, department heads and staff at Yolo County agencies, and numerous community influencers will be invaluable to us going forward.
Added Commissioner Nichole Arnold, “It’s important to provide a seamless transition while we seek a permanent director. No one is more qualified or ready to lead first five Yolo on an interim basis than Gina. At Yolo County, she has been engaged in First 5 activities, including this year’s adoption of the 3-year strategic plan. She is a tested public servant with an outstanding reputation. Our mission to improve the lives of children, ages zero through 5, will continue to strengthen and grow under her guidance. “
First 5 Yolo plans to immediately begin a widespread search for a new executive director.
