Turrell is proud to spotlight Nayibe Capellan, the CEO of Programs for Parents, as an exemplary leader!
What is Programs for Parents?
Programs for Parents (PFP) is one of the strongest child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies in New Jersey.
PFP supports children, families, and child care providers in Essex County through education, referrals, best practices, and access to financial resources.
Our Associate Program Officer, Dareen Abukwaik, reached out to Nayibe to ask about her journey to becoming CEO and what leadership means to her.
How did you hear about Programs for Parents?
Nayibe: I first connected with Programs for Parents through partnership work at the Newark Board of Education’s Office of Early Childhood. We co-created initiatives like the Family Engagement Conference, the Family Development Credentialing Program for Family Advocates, and the First Book Giveaway with Rutgers University. I received the Leaders in Early Childhood Award from Programs for Parents in 2018.
At the time, I never imagined I’d one day be leading the organization—but God clearly had other plans, and I’m grateful every day that He did.
What inspired you to work at Programs for Parents?
Nayibe: I was drawn to Programs for Parents because it sits at the intersection of lived experience and systems change. The organization has a long-standing legacy in Essex County as the trusted resource for parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals. It supports over 15,000 children and over 700 childcare providers each year through child care financial assistance, provider training, family engagement, and advocacy.
What inspired me most was the opportunity to be part of something transformational. Programs for Parents isn’t just helping families navigate child care—it’s shaping the early childhood ecosystem. It’s bringing policy, equity, and innovation together in a way that centers those often left behind in broader conversations. I saw a chance to build, to listen deeply, and to lead with purpose—and I knew it was where I needed to be.
How has your role at Programs for Parents stood out in comparison to past experiences?
Nayibe: This role differs because it intersects advocacy, innovation, and direct community impact. I’m not just running a nonprofit—I’m co-building an ecosystem with families, educators, policymakers, and funders. My leadership here is grounded in real-time problem-solving, collective care, and the unapologetic belief that every child deserves access to quality care and every caregiver deserves dignity and investment. I’ve worked in Higher Ed, Criminal Justice, Civic Engagement and Social Justice. I always come back to Early Ed. This is the one space I find hope in.
What has been the most impactful project you’ve worked on thus far at Programs for Parents?
Nayibe: Launching the Dr. Donna Johnson Emerging Leadership Institute has been especially meaningful. It’s a tribute to a phenomenal woman who gave everything to this field and a bold investment in the future. We’re building leadership pipelines for women of color in early care—offering tools for business management, advocacy, succession planning, and wellness. It’s legacy work; I know it will ripple outward for years.
On your LinkedIn, you posted about a research project to build the leadership and capacity of Black home-based childcare educators. How was Programs for Parents chosen for this project?
Nayibe: Programs for Parents was selected because of our long-standing relationships with home-based childcare providers. We have a proven track record of trust in the community (over 41 years), and we’ve built programs that support providers and elevate their voices and leadership. Our commitment to authentic, community-rooted work made us an ideal partner for this research.
This project was even more powerful because one of our family childcare providers was the principal researcher. With our support, she completed her IRB certification and led the data collection and analysis—centering the research on lived experience, not just theory.
Because of the strength of our approach, we were invited to present our findings at Morehouse School of Medicine on June 12th in partnership with the National African American Child and Family Research Center. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when providers are treated not just as participants—but as experts, researchers, and change agents in the field.
Describe a typical day at Programs for Parents.
Nayibe: There is no typical day! I could meet with our Childcare Advisory Council in the morning, plan for our Childhood Development Associate graduation in the afternoon, jump on a call about CRM systems or fundraising in the evening, and write a grant before bedtime. What grounds me daily is walking through our building—seeing our staff show up with love and excellence, hearing from providers who need support or have breakthroughs, and watching parents step into their power. It’s a beautiful chaos rooted in purpose.
What were the most important lessons you’ve learned as a leader?
Nayibe: Listen deeply. Make space for joy and rest. Reimagine challenges as opportunities to innovate. Lead with Love, Serve with Grace and Humility. It always works out in the end.
I’ve learned that systems don’t transform through ego but through collaboration, courage, and care. Especially in this work, the people closest to the problem often carry the solutions.
Are there any leaders you admire that have inspired your work at Programs for Parents?
Nayibe: Absolutely. I’m inspired by many leaders—like Dr. Beverly Lynn and Natasha Johnson, who are anchors in this field. They showed me what it means to stay grounded in mission, even when systems are shifting all around you.
Parents like Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr from Nassan’s Place, who transformed her personal experience as a mother of a child with autism into a powerful platform for advocacy. Her story reminds me that lived experience is a form of leadership and belongs at every decision-making table.
Then there are the family childcare providers—the quiet powerhouses. These women run businesses, nurture young minds, manage complex regulations, and support families emotionally. They are the backbone of our early care system; too often, they do it all with little recognition. But their leadership is no less revolutionary.
And most personally, I draw strength from the women in my family—especially my mother, Carmen Rosa. When I was just 18 months old, she had to quit her job because she didn’t have access to high-quality child care. With limited English and no formal training, she began baking cakes in our kitchen, eventually founding Carmen Rosa’s Bakery. Forty-seven years later, that bakery still stands. Her journey reminds me that resilience, resourcefulness, and love are some of the greatest forms of leadership.
These women—past and present—shape how I show up every day. They remind me that leading is not just about strategy or systems. They remind me daily that we’re not just building programs—we’re building power.
Nayibe’s Favorite Quote:
“My Humanity is Caught Up,
Is Inextricably Bound Up,
In Yours…We Belong In
A Bundle of Life. We Say
‘A Person is a Person through Other Persons.’”
– Desmond Tutu
Turrell proudly supports Nayibe’s leadership within Programs for Parents and the organization’s mission to support families and early educators. Thank you for all you do!
