Joel Ryan is the Executive Director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA). WSA is the membership organization that represents the voices of Head Start and ECEAP providers, staff, and parents. Joel has been working for WSA for 14 years and enjoys the work he does to organize moms and dads and teach them how to advocate effectively. His most important job is being a dad to his 13 year old daughter. He has a BA degree from Brandeis University and a law degree from American University. While he sits on a number of boards he has two main activities outside of work--coaching basketball and staying up to date with the Bachelor. During the COVID-19 Pandemic he has kept busy by learning how to jump rope for the first time and binge watching Dance Moms.