Biz Harris

Executive Director

Biz charts the course for the organization, builds strategic partnerships, and maintains a culture of innovation, equity, and core-values alignment. She leads the organization in building and adapting strategic plans, and coordinates staff to meet goals aligned to MELA’s mission. Biz earned a Master’s of Divinity degree from Emory University in order to explore how communities of faith work together to make change and brings passion for collaboration and community to her work. Harris has demonstrated continued success in bringing people together to work toward a common goal. Early in her career, she was the co-coordinator of the Mississippi Education Policy Fellowship Program, which focused on building the capacity of preschool-12 and higher education leaders, practitioners, and advocates to advance equitable policies for Mississippi students. Following that, she worked with the Tallahatchie River Foundation to launch their local collective impact initiative around pre-kindergarten. When Morgana Freeman, Executive Director of the Tallahatchie River Foundation, devised the concept for the Mississippi Early Learning Alliance in 2018, she asked Harris to join the team as one of the organization’s founding members, alongside former Executive Director Dr. Angela Bass. In addition to her work with MELA, Biz is the founder and volunteer director of Nurture Our Future, a non-profit that provides out-of-school learning & enrichment experiences, parent support and service referrals, and books to families in Laurel, Mississippi.

April May

Coalition Building &
Leadership Development
Director

As a dedicated advocate and integral member of MELA, April plays a pivotal role as a backbone in coalition building. With a keen eye for strategy, she oversees incentive programs and masterfully devises recruitment strategies, amplifying the coalition’s impact and fostering a vibrant community of engaged members. Hailing from Jackson, Miss, April brings a wealth of experience with 18 years dedicated to education and early childhood professional capacity-building.

Her fingerprints are all over Mississippi’s early learning landscape with a deep understanding of the childcare system. April’s influence extends beyond her role at MELA; she sits on the board for the Mississippi Early Childhood Association, has been a crucial member of the State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC), and stands as a driving force behind the Mississippi Leadership for Children Network – a pioneering initiative launched in collaboration with forward-thinking colleagues and Leading for Children, Inc.

In addition to her impactful work at MELA, April is an adjunct professor, enriching the next generation of professionals with her knowledge. Her expertise extends to the stage, presenting at local and national conferences and leaving an indelible mark on the broader landscape of early childhood education.

Mindy Phillips

Communications & Operations Director

Mindy Phillips is the Director of Communications and Operations for MELA, where she leads the development and execution of communications that amplify the successes of Mississippi’s early childhood community. She also oversees communications for the Mississippi Forum for the Future, an early childhood statewide coalition, and promotes the Mississippi Early Learning Resources (MELR) shared services site, a program supporting childcare and family care providers.

Originally from Greenwood Springs, Miss., Mindy has lived in Brandon, Miss., since 2010. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Mindy is the “Fairy Godmother” to two amazing little ones and Mimi to her niece. An avid reader, she devours roughly 100 books each year, ranging from contemporary fiction to biographies. She enjoys exploring local coffee shops and supporting small Mississippi businesses.

“The future of Mississippi is in the hands of the children in our state. I believe a future national leader could be nurtured by a dedicated child care provider today. All children deserve a chance to succeed, and it begins by giving a voice to the early childhood community.”

Luci Leffler

Advocacy & Policy
Manager

Lucinda (Luci) Leffler serves as the Manager of Advocacy and Policy at MELA, where she strengthens Mississippi’s early childhood system through research, policy development, and advocacy. She works with partners across sectors to shape policy recommendations, elevate community voices, and coordinate initiatives, ensuring that policies advance equity, access, and opportunity for young children and families.

Luci’s passion for early childhood advocacy began as a student, when she represented the Mississippi Early Childhood Association (MsECA) and participated in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Public Policy Forums. She later completed research internships with the National Women’s Law Center and MSU’s Social Science Research Center, contributing to projects on the child care workforce, stipend programs, and state policy recommendations.

A summa cum laude graduate of Mississippi State University with a B.S. in Human Development and Family Science, Luci also earned certification in Trauma-Informed Child Advocacy through the Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) program. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Early Intervention to expand her expertise in advocacy, inclusive practice, and trauma-informed approaches. A Mississippi native, Luci is committed to building partnerships and advancing solutions that support the well-being of the state’s youngest residents and their families.