Sara J Brown

I attribute my success to the meaningful mentors and relationships I’ve had throughout my life. There were times early on when college and a professional career felt out of reach. In those moments, having people who truly saw me, believed in me, and stayed consistent in their support made all the difference. They didn’t just encourage me—they challenged me, pushed me beyond what I thought were my limits, and helped me see possibilities I couldn’t yet see for myself.

Those relationships were especially impactful because they filled a gap. Experiencing genuine connection and care from others showed me what it meant to be supported, and ultimately changed the trajectory of my life. Through these experiences, I came to understand that success isn’t defined by a single milestone, but by the journey—and the people who walk alongside you in it.

I also attribute my success to perseverance. I’ve carried a strong sense of determination through both uncertainty and challenge. Looking back, I can see how that perseverance was nurtured early on by educators—especially early elementary teachers—who showed up for me in ways that extended beyond the classroom. They made me feel seen, capable, and valued, and that has stayed with me to this day.

Ultimately, my success is not something I achieved alone. It is the result of meaningful relationships, belief from others, and a deep-rooted perseverance that has carried me forward.

The best career advice I’ve received is to take care of myself first, especially in a field centered on caring for others. Early on, I learned that you cannot sustainably support others—whether children, families, or colleagues—if you are not grounded yourself. That advice has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach leadership, relationships, and my work overall.

I’ve also been reminded to stay rooted in my convictions and passion. When you deeply believe in the work you’re doing, it brings clarity to decisions, resilience during challenges, and a sense of purpose that carries you forward. For me, that combination—self-awareness and strong conviction—has been essential to both my growth and longevity in this field.

My advice to young women entering this field is to never give up, even when the path feels uncertain or challenging. This work is deeply meaningful, but it also requires resilience and a long-term commitment to growth.

Hold firmly to your integrity. There will be moments when decisions are not easy, and staying grounded in your values will guide you through them. Your voice, your perspective, and your standards matter—don’t lose sight of that.

Most importantly, never underestimate the power of relationships. Every interaction matters. The connections you build—with children, families, and colleagues—are the foundation of this work. Investing in those relationships with intention, authenticity, and care will carry you farther than any single achievement. In the long term, this field is, and always will be, about people.

One of the biggest challenges in the early childhood field right now is the lack of a cohesive system that fully recognizes infant and toddler care as essential to society’s long-term prosperity. While the importance of early experiences is well-documented, our systems have yet to consistently reflect that understanding in funding, infrastructure, and support. This gap contributes to limited access to care and ongoing challenges in sustaining high-quality infant and toddler programs.

At the same time, this presents a significant opportunity. There is growing momentum across states and organizations to elevate the voice of the infant and toddler workforce and to better align systems with what we know young children and caregivers need. Efforts to invest in workforce development, strengthen relationship-based practices, and center the experiences of caregivers are beginning to shift the conversation.

This moment offers an opportunity to move from awareness to action—to build systems that not only acknowledge the importance of infant and toddler care, but actively support it as a foundational component of thriving communities.

The values that are most important to me are trust, relationships, and authenticity. These values guide everything I do, both in my professional work and in my personal life.

I believe that trust is built through consistency, presence, and follow-through, and it is the foundation of any meaningful relationship. Relationships themselves are at the heart of my work—whether with children, families, or colleagues—and I approach them with intention, care, and respect. Authenticity is what allows those relationships to be real. I strive to show up as myself, lead with honesty, and create spaces where others feel safe to do the same.

Together, these values shape how I connect with others, how I lead, and how I navigate both challenges and opportunities. They are not just principles I hold—they are practices I return to every day.