The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Wlazlo, as an At-Large member to the association’s national governing board. She will serve a 4-year term beginning June 1.

Michelle Wlazlo is the Senior Vice President, Merchandising – Apparel & Accessories at Target. In this role, Michelle is responsible for the company’s apparel & Accessories retail business including strategic direction, merchandising, and partnerships. Michelle joined Target in January of 2016 and has led brand launches along with reimagining the instore experience. Before joining Target, Michelle spent nearly 19 years in various merchandising leadership roles, most recently as SVP, Global Merchandising, GAP. In that role, Michelle was responsible for development of global brand and product assortment strategies across all apparel and accessories divisions, as well as leading the integration efforts of GAP’s stores and digital buying teams. Previous to that role, she held leadership roles in the value segments for GAP Inc., inclusive of Old Navy and Outlet. Prior to joining GAP Inc., Michelle spent 10 years in the apparel industry including time at Bebe and Saks Fifth Avenue holding merchant and stores leadership roles. Michelle has served on the board for My New Red Shoes, a non-profit dedicated to boost self-confidence, and quality of life of the community’s homeless and low-income children by providing them the opportunity to shop for new school clothing and shoes. She also has served on the board of Santa Clara University, Retail Management Institute.

Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. We advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children.

The NAEYC Governing Board provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Officers and most Board members are elected by the association’s 60,000 members. The Treasurer and up to four At-Large positions are appointed by the board. Rhian Evans Allvin, NAEYC’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are delighted to have Michelle join the board. Her demonstrated high-quality leadership, commitment and ability will help NAEYC further its mission and vision.”

As an appointed At-Large member Michelle will serve alongside newly elected members Crystal Sanford-Brown, an early childhood advocate, recently retired, who was elected Vice-President; Steven Hicks, Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Early Childhood Development at the Maryland State Department of Education, was elected as Secretary; Jie-Qi Chen, professor of early education at the Erikson Institute of Chicago, was elected as a Board Member At-Large; Alissa Mwenelupembe, student pursuing a doctorate in Education, with cognates in Adult and Community Education and Diversity Studies, was elected Student Board Member.