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News Release | EFS Welcomes New Chief Strategy & Impact Officer

The Commit Partnership and Educational First Steps (EFS) is proud to announce a staff transition that stands to benefit the whole early education ecosystem in North Texas. Dominique McCain, the Commit Partnership’s Managing Director of Best in Class, will be stepping down from her role at the end of this year to pursue a new opportunity with Educational First Steps. In the new year, she will begin as EFS’ Chief Strategy & Impact Officer.

“I firmly believe that the way we change our academic outcomes in Dallas County is by reaching all of our kids as early as possible,” said McCain. “It has been a privilege to engage with school districts and lead this work at Commit through Best in Class and Early Matters Dallas. Now, I’m excited for the opportunity to strengthen the early childhood learning pipeline further through the childcare center lens in my new role with Educational First Steps.”

McCain’s role with EFS will focus on helping childcare centers in North Texas transform into nationally accredited, high-quality early learning environments. She has been a long-time believer in the need to build partnerships between childcare centers and school districts and will have the opportunity to focus on that in her new role.

As Commit CEO Todd Williams said, “While we will miss Dominique working on our team, I am so pleased that our community will continue to benefit from her passion and expertise. This is a tremendous opportunity for both Commit and Educational First Steps to boost our partnership and work together to strategically strengthen early childhood learning in North Texas – a key pillar in our work to double the number of Dallas County residents earning a living wage. We all stand to benefit from Dominique leading EFS’ strategy.”

Like Commit, EFS focuses on supporting those in the highest-need areas of North Texas. Given its mission of closing achievement gaps for early learners, breaking cycles of generational poverty for families, and creating a brighter and more equitable tomorrow for the children and communities of North Texas, it is a natural next step following McCain’s work with Commit.

EFS’ President and CEO, Vickie Allen, is excited for McCain to begin in the new year. “Dominique will be a tremendous addition to our team, and I am so grateful for the years depth and breadth of her experience including early childhood education – including her time at Commit – that she will bring to our work. Her knowledge of the systems and infrastructure of early childhood ed will be advantageous to our team and stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity for both of our organizations to grow and work collaboratively to benefit kids in North Texas.”