April Dodge-Ostendorf, Vice President of Executive Affairs
April brings two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit and public service sectors, with a focus on child welfare and early care and education.
As Vice President of Executive Affairs, April oversees organizational governance, association management, and strategy, fostering collaboration across senior leadership teams. She also leads strategic communications, working closely with the CEO and leadership to ensure alignment of actions, partnerships, and messaging with the organization’s core vision, values, and principles.
Prior to Child Care Aware of America, April participated in a graduate fellowship, co-chaired a state-level supervisory advisory group on child welfare, led strategic planning for a governor-chartered team, and testified before the Missouri state legislature on behalf of the Department of Social Services, Children’s Division.
April holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.