Her Story
About Renée
Renée Evelyn Fuller is an Early Years Education Strategist, Social Impact Leader, and founder of Little Learners Big Connections, an early years education consultancy focused on supporting schools, faith communities, and families. With nearly two decades of experience as an educator and leader in independent international schools, Renée has dedicated her career to creating meaningful learning environments that nurture children’s intellectual, emotional, relational, and spiritual development. Her work centers on helping educators and caregivers understand early childhood development through research-informed approaches that prioritize connection, regulation, curiosity, and holistic growth.
Throughout her career, Renée has held leadership and teaching roles across global education communities, including positions in the Netherlands, Indonesia, El Salvador, and the United States. Her expertise spans early years learning, curriculum design and implementation, assessment, educator development, and instructional leadership. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Radford University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from The College of New Jersey while living abroad. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration at Virginia Theological Seminary, where her doctoral research aligns with her work developing innovative models for early childhood formation and learning.
Through Little Learners Big Connections, Renée is building a three-pathway approach that integrates Foundations (early years curriculum), Formation (developmentally appropriate spiritual formation adaptable across traditions), and Families (support and resources for caregivers and communities). Her global experiences living among diverse cultures have shaped her commitment to compassion, empathy, and inclusive education. In addition to her consulting work, she founded the Purple Flower Collective, a nonprofit initiative focused on supporting marginalized women and communities through connection and shared practices. Renée’s leadership reflects her belief that children thrive when educators, families, and communities work together to create environments where every child can flourish.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Renée
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my connected roots and the incredible modeling from my grandfather, an entrepreneur who built a bus company and restaurant serving African American communities in southern Virginia during challenging times. His integrity, faith, and community leadership taught me the importance of relationships, support networks, and not blooming alone. My family's support and experiences living overseas have also shaped my approach to compassion, empathy, and perseverance in building my business.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to never say never and always try it at least once. I accepted an unexpected invitation to help build a literacy program at a school in Indonesia, which I never planned, and it led to an entire career in international schools teaching, leading, and learning. We truly don't know what the future holds, so remaining open to possibilities without closing off your mind is key.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Always stand up for what is right, even if it means you have to stand alone. Follow that still small voice telling you no when something doesn't feel aligned. Stick up for the small person if you see injustice, unfairness, or inequality, because not acting has a knock-on effect and you never know the positive impact you might have on others who also want to do the right thing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Being a woman, and especially a woman of color, in leadership spaces can be a double-edged sword with barriers like having your voice silenced or navigating tightropes of interpretation and masking. I reframe these as occasions to rise. Opportunities include building community with other women and allies to find your tribe and succeed together.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are captured in the five petals of my nonprofit: connected roots (social and relational support networks, no one blooms alone), cultivated minds (mental and intellectual growth, resilience, emotional awareness), rooted vitality (physical health, fitness, nutrition, rest as a right), environmental stewardship and sustainability, and vocation (finding meaning in work that aligns passion with earning a living while giving back authentically).
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.