Early Childhood Coalition Board of Directors
ECC Board members represent state and local agencies, businesses, non-profits, universities, SMC pediatricians, and the community. Current board members include:
Kiah Butcher
I have been in business and marketing for the past decade and have enjoyed time in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, and now Oklahoma. I have served the Stillwater area in multiple volunteer capacities since moving here with my family in 2019. I enjoy utilizing my skills to help organizations grow the community and ensure opportunities for all.
Rachel H. Carpenter, M.D.
Dr. Carpenter is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and Stillwater native. She earned a B.S. in Sociology at OSU and medical degree at the OU Health Sciences Center, Dr. Carpenter’s experience as a mother of five gives her a personal perspective on the joys and challenges of parenting, which informs her professional practice. Dr. Carpenter’s return to Stillwater was driven by a strong desire to give back to the community that shaped her. Her deep roots in the area provide a unique understanding of the local culture and the specific needs of families in the community.
Tim Hardin
After retiring from the OSU Engineering Faculty, Tim Hardin was elected to the Stillwater City Council in 2023. He is active in our community as a Rotarian since 2018 and now serves as President-Elect of Stillwater Frontier Rotary Club. He volunteers for weekly food recovery for Our Daily Bread. In addition, he is active in his church's community outreach efforts. Along with his wife, Dr. Amy Hardin, Tim has a desire to improve the support services for families with young children in our community. He joined the Early Childhood Coalition Board in 2023.
Lisa McGaw
Lisa is a retired chemistry educator who has taught at the middle, high school, and college levels. She served in the nonprofit sector as a Chemistry Coordinator for Advanced Placement Strategies and with the National Math and Science Initiative. Lisa co-authored an AP Chemistry review book and is a member of the Science Academic Advisory Council for the College Board. In retirement, Lisa enjoys volunteering in the Stillwater community and since 2024 is proud to serve on the Early Childhood Coalition Board where education is fundamental.
Peggy Emde
Peggy Emde recently retired as the Child Development Program Director and faculty member with Northern Oklahoma College. She has been a part of various organizations, as well as boards in the community. Peggy’s entire career has been in the early childhood field, having been a preschool teacher, child care owner/director and family advocate. A longtime Stillwater resident, she has been a member of the Coalition from the beginning.
Sherre Davidson
Sherre Davidson is a retired Early Childhood Specialist who provided services, technical supervision and training on early childhood issues through the Child Guidance Service (Oklahoma Dept. of Public Health). She is a founding board member of the Oklahoma Association for Infant Mental Health as well as the Oklahoma Family Resource Coalition. Her professional focus has been in the areas of early brain development, support services for families with young children and developmental considerations for young children involved with child welfare or divorce. She has been active in state and community issues involving young children for many years. Sherre has been a member of the Early Childhood Coalition since its inception.
Mary Melton
Mary Melton is a licensed professional counselor who works with children and adolescents. She is employed by the Saville Center, a local child advocacy center, has a private practice, and also serves at the Stillwater Head Start mental health consultant. Mary has been a counselor in Payne County since 1998 when she worked in the Child Guidance Program of the Payne County Health Dept. She specializes in early childhood, trauma, adjustment issues, anxiety/depression, parent child relational problems and other childhood issues. She has a working relationship with area schools, pediatricians, DHS, law enforcement, district attorney’s office, Stillwater medical center, and other community agencies. She has been a member of the Early Childhood Coalition since 2015.
Kendra Hall
Kendra Hall is a Child Development Specialist and Certified Child and Parenting Specialist. Kendra has worked in a variety of childcare settings, including Head Start where she taught Pre-K. She has served as a Child Development Specialist at the Payne County Health Department in Stillwater since 2016; starting in the Child Guidance Clinic and currently serving as the Child Development Specialist in the early intervention program, SoonerStart. Kendra has experience in child development, parenting, early childhood classroom, and developmental screening/evaluation tools. She has been a member of the Early Childhood Coalition since 2017.
Lisa Cundiff
Lisa Cundiff retired from Payne County Health Department after 39 years of service. She was the Business Manager for Payne, Kay, Noble and Pawnee counties. Lisa joined the Early Childhood Coalition in July, 2019. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors and is the Treasurer.
Laura Shellhammer, Executive Director
Laura is a Child Development Specialist and Certified Child and Parenting Specialist. She is the Stillwater HealthySteps Coordinator at Stillwater Medical Pediatrics, as well as the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant with Iowa Tribe Early Childhood Center and Headstart/Early Headstart in Payne, Logan and Noble counties. She has been involved with the Early Childhood Coalition since its inception in 2010.