Early childhood nonprofit promotes COO to CEO

SARASOTA — The Florida Center for Early Childhood has promoted COO Kristie Skoglund to CEO.

Skoglund will replace longtime CEO Kathryn Shea next month, according to a press release. The board of directors unanimously voted to promote Skoglund on Aug. 13.

“There is no one more deserving of this position,” says Board Chair Jeff Woodin in the statement. “Kristie has worked for The Florida Center for more than 20 years, climbing the ranks from counselor to early childhood expert.”

Skoglund will officially start in her new capacity on Sept. 14. Shea will stay on as a part-time consultant to ensure a smooth transition, the release states. 

Skoglund has a master’s degree in counseling and psychology and a doctorate degree in counseling. She has expertise in the areas of infant/young children’s mental health, trauma-informed care practices and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. She has presented workshops on various related topics at local, state and national conferences. 

In 2019, Skoglund became one of the first people in Florida to be endorsed as an Early Childhood Mental Health Expert through the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health, the release states. 

In 1997, Skoglund was hired as one of the first mental health counselors to work with young children in a foster care system. She completed an 18-month infant mental health training through Florida State University’s Harris Institute. In 2003, she received specialized fetal alcohol spectrum disorders diagnostic training through the University of Washington. 

“I truly love the work of The Florida Center and I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the next CEO,” says Skoglund in the statement. “I definitely have some big shoes to fill. Kathryn has been an amazing leader who always encouraged me to grow and learn.”

For more than 40 years, The Florida Center for Early Childhood has been a provider of therapeutic services, early education and healthy development for young children in Southwest Florida.

“While I am about to retire and enter the next chapter of my life, I go knowing that The Florida Center is in great hands with Kristie Skoglund,” says Shea in the statement. “Her vast knowledge and experience prepares her well to be the agency’s next CEO.”