Principal Consultant

Kathy Hollowell-Makle is the principal consultant at the Makle Consulting Group, LLC. She specializes in early childhood education workforce systems and supports, including professional development, program evaluation and improvement, and advocacy and coalition building. Previously, Kathy served as the Executive Director at the District of Columbia Association for the Education of Young Children (DCAEYC). Kathy retired as an early childhood educator after 22 years at DC Public Schools, where her students consistently achieved high levels of academic success. In addition to her work in the classroom, Kathy served as a mentor teacher, trainer, and policy advisor. 

Throughout her career in education, she has been recognized for her excellence in early childhood teaching and learning, as well as her advocacy. In 2013, Kathy was named DC Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Other professional awards include the Teach for America Excellent in Teaching Recipient, Congress Heights Association’s Outstanding Educator, DC Government’s Employee of the Year finalist, and a 2014 State of the Union guest of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. 

Kathy has applied her expertise in both her current and previous work. Currently, she serves as the Senior Advisor at the Black Child Development Institute in DC. Recently, she has served as a member of several committees, including the DC Council Early Educator Equitable Pay Compensation Task Force, the Farm to ECE Roadmap Committee, and as the former Chair of the Health Care of Child Care Advisory Committee. 

Kathy earned a Bachelor of Arts in African Studies with a Concentration in Community Involvement at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a Master of Teaching at Trinity University, Washington. When Kathy is not working to improve early education outcomes for young children, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading.