 | Heidi Schlueter, Director of State Operations and Development
2/16/2010 10:47 AM | | Heidi Schlueter |
Prior to joining First Children’s Finance, Heidi worked for nine years with Community Action of Eastern Iowa Head Start and Early Head Start. As director, her responsibilities included leadership and oversight for the early care and education of approximately 600 children and directing a staff of more than 100 people at 24 locations. Heidi has recently served on the Iowa Head Start Association board, the Scott County Iowa Early Childhood Coordinating Council and the Child Care Works board in Minnesota. She has a bachelor’s in economics and a master’s in education with an emphasis on early childhood. Heidi has additional experience as a licensed home child care provider, business owner, child care center director, high school teacher, college lecturer and college administrator.
How did you get involved with First Children’s Finance?
I found First Children’s in a job search. My husband was transferred to Minnesota when the 2008 floods destroyed the plant where he worked in Iowa. We’re originally from Minnesota and I wanted to continue my work here in early care and education. I did an Internet search and came up with First Children’s Finance. I sent a letter electronically and heard back from Jerry within 24 hours. He said he would be in Iowa within two days just 10 minutes from my house. I went to meet him, and everything about the meeting was exciting. I started in October 2008.
Why is First Children’s important? Why do you spend precious time working with First Children’s?
I have a personal mission to positively impact as many young people’s lives as I can with my skills. I’m looking for the best way to do that. First Children’s Finance has a niche that others weren’t meeting. Having worked for early care and education in almost every aspect imaginable, I see that First Children’s fills a gap by supporting the business side of child care. I really like the analogy of using resources to teach clients “how to fish,” so they can continue to care for and educate children for many years to come.
What difference does the Growth Fund make for providers? Why does First Children’s have a Growth Fund?
I’ve been involved in early care and education for more than 25 years. Especially now in these hard economic times, the early care and education industry needs good options and good guidance as they seek to access capital and strengthen their businesses. Access to loans is one option for centers and homes poised for growth. Growth Fund is a unique opportunity for centers to receive in-depth business consultation over a long period. We engage Growth Fund participants with pretty intense work. And the impact is amazing.
What’s your vision for First Children’s?
I would like to see First Children’s grow in capacity and expertise to meet the business needs in early care and education nationwide. I see an incredible need, and the work is complex. I’d like to see First Children’s continue to play an important role in working with the private and public sectors to support quality initiatives. We’re in a unique position that way.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working on behalf of First Children’s?
I have a very close family, and I really enjoy spending time with them. I have a husband, son and his new wife and my daughter. They are now entering new phases of their lives. My daughter just started graduate school at Northern Illinois University. My son started his own business, a ballroom dance studio in downtown Moline, IL. My husband and I do enjoy joining the kids on the dance floor once in a while.
What else would you like our readers to know about you and First Children’s?
I’ve always been interested in both business and education. I really enjoy working, organizing and being with people. My father owned a small business - real estate - and he would say, all occupations involve teaching in some way. I’ve taught, been a business person and an administrator, and I love the combination in my current position at First Children’s.
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