As a leader and advocate for children and families, Ed promotes the notion that we must all be eager to learn and grow new skills to meet the challenges facing our organizations and communities. He is dedicated to Region 9 Head Start Association’s goal of elevating the communities it serves.

“I am inspired by individuals committed to education in young children, their families as well as adults striving to self-develop. I believe in the promise of early education as an instrument to change lives. I believe in Head Start,” affirms Ed. “Looking back over my career — and even back to Head Start’s founding during the Great Society movement — it’s possible to state that never has Head Start been more important. Yet, now, as we approach the third decade of the 21st century, gale-force headwinds face at-risk children and families. Head Start is a life raft. And it needs all hands committed to its existence.”

As the Executive Director of the Region 9 Head Start Association, Ed has worked collaboratively with his board, membership, and association staff to build R9HSA’s many services, partnerships, and training. Today, R9HSA is well regarded within the region and beyond for elevating the Head Start community. In addition to his role as the association’s executive, Ed is an active trainer and consultant on the topic of leadership, non-profit strategies, and early education.

Prior to his current position, Ed Condon was Senior Director of Professional Development for the National Head Start Association (NHSA) and the Executive Director of the California Head Start Association (CHSA). He was the co-founder and owner of Montessori Learning Commons, Inc., a community of early education, elementary, and adult training schools in Sacramento, California, serving over 500 families in six locations. Prior to this career, Ed was in marketing and business management for retail organizations.

A graduate of California State University, Sacramento, Ed has continued his education in graduate education courses, certificate courses for non-profit leaders from Stanford’s Executive Education, and a Family Development Credential from Cornell University Extension. He is also a Certified Facilitator with The Leadership Challenge.

Committed to human services, Ed is an active volunteer with AFS, a High School student exchange program. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Californians for the Support of Early Education, the Child Development Policy Institute, and Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center.

Married, he is the father of two young adults, and is active in his hometown of Sacramento, by supporting community-focused, nonprofit associations.