Dr. Desiree Del-Zio earned a Master of Arts degree in Leadership with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from the University of San Diego and an Education Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. In her years of academic development, Dr. Del-Zio received a lifetime membership in Mu Lambda Nu and Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Societies for academic excellence in public service and education studies. Dr. Del-Zio also earned a certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University and a certification in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. She is earning a Certification in Improvement Science from the University of Michigan and is a lifetime member of the International Society for Female Professionals.

Dr. Del-Zio’s professional development is grounded in organizations serving children and families and includes notable leadership roles such as operations management, regional management, evaluation and monitoring, program design and improvement, and federal oversight. Dr. Del- Zio served the Office of Head Start Federal Monitoring contract for six years as a Monitoring Lead and Operations Manager. During her service to the contract, she facilitated or managed approximately 400 federal reviews.

Dr. Del-Zio leverages her academic and professional development to build the leadership capacity of executive leaders, managers, and staff, focusing on Head Start grant recipients. She is a proven and seasoned management systems and operations leader, with a record for creating high-functioning teams. Her areas of expertise include Internal Monitoring Systems Design, Head Start Monitoring Preparation, Strategic Planning, Self-Assessment Planning and Implementation, Gap Analysis, Organizational Change Management, and Leadership Coaching and Development.