2027 Candidates
The Team
Debbie Shultz
Secretary
Madison Greenfield-Mills
Conference Co-Chair
Liza Odom
Public Policy
Darshani Abeyrathna
Public Relations
Debbie is running for re-election as Secretary. She has worked in Early Childhood Education for more than 24 years and brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to supporting early childhood professionals. In addition to her work in early childhood education, Debbie serves as a board member for the Southern Hills Outreach Foundation and as a member of the Board of Trustees at Southern Hills United Methodist Church. She also serves as a Professional Development Specialist for the CDA Council for Professional Recognition and as an Educator for CECPD. Debbie is committed to continuing to serve OKAEYC and its members and looks forward to the opportunity to continue contributing her experience and leadership to the organization.
Madison Greenfield-Mills is running for Conference Co-Chair. She has volunteered with OKAEYC throughout the past year, supporting multiple events and gaining firsthand experience with the organization and its work. Madison is a graduate student at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), where she is completing her master’s degree in Family and Child Studies with a focus on Infant and Child Specialist. She is deeply engaged in the early childhood field and has shared her expertise by presenting at numerous professional conferences. She has also been selected to present a research poster at the upcoming NAEYC Annual Conference in December 2026. Her leadership and practical experience include serving as a Literacy Coach for the UCO Lab School in Spring 2026 and working as an assessor for the OSU-OKC Child Development Simulation Lab. Madison brings together academic research, hands-on experience, and a passion for professional learning. Through her continued involvement with OKAEYC, Madison hopes to contribute to the planning and success of the annual conference and help create meaningful professional learning opportunities for Oklahoma’s early childhood community.
Liza Marie Odom is running for re-election as OKAEYC’s Public Policy Member at Large. Having served a current term in this role, Liza is seeking to continue the work she has begun and build on her advocacy for young children, families, and early childhood professionals across Oklahoma. Liza has dedicated her career to supporting children and families through education and advocacy. With a background in education, psychology, and special education, she has worked in special education classrooms, child welfare, and community-based family engagement. She has also consulted with state agencies, including Oklahoma CareerTech and the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and previously served as an education program manager, gaining valuable insight into Oklahoma’s childcare and education systems. Liza is also the founder of Oddball Academy, a mission-driven learning center focused on supporting children, educators, and families through innovative curriculum and resources. Liza looks forward to continuing her service with OKAEYC and furthering the policy and advocacy work already underway on behalf of Oklahoma’s young children, families, and early childhood professionals.
Darshani is running for the Public Relations position on the OKAEYC Board after serving this past year as the Student Representative. She is interested in continuing her service with OKAEYC and bringing her experience in storytelling, education, research, and communication to the role. Darshani is passionate about becoming an impactful educator for young children, inspired by her work as a teacher, journalist, researcher, and children’s book writer. With more than a decade of experience working with children and educators, she has seen firsthand how early experiences can shape a child’s identity, creativity, and confidence. Her debut children’s book was nominated for Best Children’s Book at the 2022 State Literary Awards, further strengthening her belief in the power of literature and storytelling to foster empathy, connection, and learning. Through her continued involvement with OKAEYC, Darshani hopes to support the organization’s communication and outreach efforts and help share the work of OKAEYC and its members with the broader early childhood community.
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Waco Lane
Secretary
Leslie Shrivner
Vice President of Membership
Grace Rogers
Vice President of Chapters
YOUR NAME
Student Representative
Waco Lane is running for the position of Secretary, marking his first time seeking a position on the OKAEYC Board. A retired Marine Corps officer and experienced leader, Waco brings strong organizational, communication, documentation, and governance skills to his candidacy. His military leadership experience includes familiarity with Robert’s Rules of Order and an understanding of the importance of accurate records, professionalism, and effective board operations. He currently serves as Treasurer for a statewide Marine Corps nonprofit organization, where he contributes to board leadership, fiscal oversight, and organizational stewardship. Waco holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), providing him with a strong foundation in analytical thinking, organization, and strategic planning. As the owner of The Goddard School of Moore, Waco is also deeply committed to quality early childhood education. Under his leadership, the school became the first Goddard School in the nation to achieve the Accreditation+ tier under the new standards released in March 2025, earning the distinction in September 2025. This accomplishment reflects his commitment to continuous improvement and high standards for children, families, and educators. Waco would be honored to bring his leadership experience, organizational skills, and commitment to early childhood education to the OKAEYC Board and support the association’s mission to advocate for young children, families, and early childhood professionals across Oklahoma.
After serving the past two years on the OKAEYC Board, first as Vice President of Chapters and then as Vice President of Membership, Grace is seeking to continue her service with OKAEYC and her work supporting the organization’s chapters. Grace is passionate about early childhood education and previously served as an active member of NAEYC Maine. She believes that education begins at birth and that supporting children and families starts with recognizing the important role parents play in guiding their children’s early experiences. As OKAEYC continues to grow and strengthen its local chapters, Grace is particularly interested in engaging with members through focus groups to better understand the needs of communities across Oklahoma. She hopes to use her experience and passion for early childhood education to support local communities, strengthen connections among members, and advocate for children and families.
After serving the past two years as Conference Chair and Co-Chair, Leslie is continuing her leadership with OKAEYC by running for Vice President of Membership. With more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Leslie has had the privilege of teaching children from age three through first grade. She currently serves as the Early Childhood Coordinator for Oklahoma City Public Schools, where she supports and mentors teachers working with children in pre-kindergarten through second grade. Leslie is dedicated to supporting educators as they strengthen their skills, grow in their practice, and continue to find purpose in their work. She believes in the importance of a strong professional community and is excited about the opportunity to continue serving OKAEYC and its members in a new leadership role. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, certifications in both Elementary and Early Childhood Education, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
