In the interim, Child First Authority will still have great leadership. Join us in welcoming as the Acting Executive Director, Gayl M. Brooks.
Mrs. Brooks has over 24 years’ experience in the education, non-profit, and youth development sectors. She has worked with Child First Authority since 1999 in various capacities, starting part-time for 7 years as an in-school parent investment coordinator then program coordinator before moving up within the organization to where she thrives today. Now in her position as Deputy Director, she provides direct supervision and support to two Child First administrative staff persons, over thirty site-based employees, and five subcontracted partner organizations. She also develops and manages OST budgets and recruits external partners to provide enrichment opportunities for the OST programs.
Gayl leads by example and never asks her team to commit to a task that she would not do herself. Her exceptional reliability and aptitude for making connections has given her the ability to flourish within the organization as a dependable and knowledgeable leader and mentor. She relishes in the autonomy to be creative in her approach to providing high-quality expanded learning opportunities for the youth we serve here at Child First.
When Gayl is not working she enjoys gardening, watching football, and spending time with her family. Gayl is a wife, mother, and grandmother. Most recently after 102 years on earth, her grandmother passed away, but she keeps her close by as you will always see her with a butterfly necklace in memory of her favorite person.
