Berna is a passionate educator and leader with over 24 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds a B.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education. Her career began in the classroom, where she taught children aged two to sixteen, before transitioning into her first leadership role in 2006. Throughout her journey, Berna has remained deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, consistently advocating for quality education for all children and families, especially those from underrepresented communities.

 

Currently serving as the Interim Executive Director of DCAEYC, Berna brings a strong foundation of organizational knowledge and community trust to the role. She previously served eight years on the DCAEYC Board (four as Vice President of Programs and four as Board President), helping develop the organization’s strategic direction and programmatic priorities. In addition to her leadership at DCAEYC, Berna contributes her expertise to numerous committees and initiatives, including QRIS, the SECDCC Program Quality Committee, OSSE DC’s CTE Education & Training Advisory Board, a K–8 school board, and the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Task Force.

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Outside of her executive leadership, Berna is an Adjunct Professor at the University of the District of Columbia, where she teaches and mentors aspiring early childhood educators. She also provides coaching, facilitation, and professional development in program quality and leadership. A lifelong learner and community builder, Berna finds joy in good food, books, music, nature, and meaningful time with friends and colleagues, bringing that same joy and authenticity to every space she serves.

Ryene Oliveira brings over a decade of international experience in marketing and communications, with a strong focus on inclusive storytelling, data-driven strategy, and community-centered engagement. As Communications Manager at DCAEYC, she leads the organization’s communications strategy, guiding its digital presence, branding, and public outreach in support of DCAEYC’s mission to elevate early childhood education in the District.

With work across the U.S. and Brazil, Ryene has developed and led campaigns spanning nonprofits, creative agencies, and franchise networks, delivering measurable impact through digital innovation, social media strategy, and creative direction. She specializes in crafting compelling narratives and building meaningful audience connections that elevate visibility and engagement.

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Multilingual, Ryene brings a culturally informed lens to her work and has collaborated with institutions ranging from public schools to Fortune 500 partners. Ryene has received numerous awards and recognitions in the United States for her leadership and creative excellence in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, underscoring her ability to drive transformational results through strategic communications.

 

She is passionate about connecting mission-driven organizations with the communities they serve, through powerful content, inclusive messaging, and authentic communication. She holds degrees in Social Communication (Magna Cum Laude) and Music (Magna Cum Laude), along with academic experience in International Relations, bringing creative, strategic, and global thinking to every project.