New Leader Joins Child Development Association

ROSWELL, GA -- Maggie DeCan has been named CEO and executive director of the Roswell's Child Development Association.

DeCan was appointed to the post by the organization's Board of Directors, and she took office on Monday, Nov. 7.

“For nearly 50 years the CDA has been devoted to making available to all children in our area, quality affordable pre-school education,” said Doug Higgins, CDA board chairman. “In our search for our next leader we were fortunate to find Maggie DeCan, who possesses the passion for children’s education and the leadership skills to continue to grow our mission.”

DeCan’s background uniquely positions her to lead the CDA through the next decade. With significant experience in the for-profit arena, human resources and her passion for education, DeCan will advance the CDA’s strategic mission and partner with community leaders to grow the organization’s role in successfully preparing children for kindergarten.

“Participation in high quality early education programs makes a child more successful in kindergarten, more likely to read on-level in third grade, more likely to graduate from high school and attend college," DeCan said. "Yet nearly 40 percent of kindergartners within six miles of the CDA’s preschool are starting elementary school without pre-school. We are looking forward to working with partners across the community to ensure that every child has a great start for a brighter future. I am also thrilled about this next chapter in my career, working with the CDA board and team to utilize my leadership, communication and business experience to make a difference in the early education of our community, two things that I care about deeply.”

DeCan has always been active in the community, often as a respected educational advocate. She is chairman emeritus for the Roswell North Elementary Foundation, which she helped found in 2009 to advance STEAM initiatives.

In 2016, Womenetics recognized her with a POW! award for leadership excellence. In 2015, she was honored by the Georgia Diversity Council as a Most Powerful and Influential Woman. She was a 2014 finalist for the Turkenett Servant Leadership Character Award. She was also recognized by the State of Georgia PTA for visionary leadership.

Most recently, DeCan served as president and chief operating oficer for HoneyBaked Ham Company, where she worked for 14 years. Before joining HoneyBaked in 2002, she served in human resource leadership roles for Circuit City, Belk and Macys.

Maggie and her husband Bob, an educator, live in Roswell and have two sons, Riley and Brady.

For more information about the Child Development Association, visit www.cdakids.org.

Image via Child Development Association