Evanston child care group names new leader

The board of the Childcare Network of Evanston has named Andrea Densham as the group’s new executive director.

Densham, who starts July 2, will replace retiring executive director Martha Arntson as leader of the 45-year-old organization.

Arntson “created a strong foundation to help ensure access to quality early care and education in our community,” CNE Board President Deb Danson said in a statement. “Andrea is a leader with the vision, experience, and passion to take CNE to the next level and beyond.”

“Never before has there been such a pressing need to work together in service of our community’s children,” Densham said. “As a parent, I know how important it is to create a fabric of support with parents, teachers, community partners, and leaders to transform the lives of children and our neighborhoods.”

Densham, a former vice-president of government affairs for Prevent Blindness America, has nearly 20 years of experience in community-driven public policy and advocacy and non-profit management. 

She has built the capacity and voices of nonprofits and campaigns that champion children and youth health, women’s and LGBT health, HIV/AIDS, and public policy.