Evergreen Start Names Airole Warden as First Executive Director, Expanding Rural Child Care Infrastructure

Coös County, NH — [Evergreen Start has announced the appointment of Airole Warden as its first Executive Director, naming a leader in early childhood systems, rural community development, and child care infrastructure to lead the organization's next phase of growth.

Evergreen Start was recently created to strengthen the systems behind child care by providing shared operational, financial, compliance, and workforce support that helps providers remain stable and sustainable. By treating child care as essential community infrastructure, the organization works with providers, businesses, communities, funders, and public partners to strengthen New Hampshire's workforce and economy.

Warden has spent more than a decade working across early childhood education, rural communities, and public policy, beginning her career in the classroom before moving into leadership roles focused on strengthening child care systems, building coalitions, and advancing sustainable solutions for providers and families.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Airole as Evergreen Start's first Executive Director," said Amy Graham, Chair of the Evergreen Start Board of Directors. "She brings the combination of firsthand child care experience, systems thinking, and collaborative leadership that this work requires. Airole understands that strengthening child care means strengthening the infrastructure behind it. She has already helped shape Evergreen Start's vision, and we are confident she will build the partnerships needed to help providers, families, businesses, and communities succeed together."

Evergreen Start was founded on a simple idea: child care is essential infrastructure. Rather than operating child care centers directly, Evergreen Start strengthens the systems behind them by providing shared operational support, financial management, compliance assistance, workforce coordination, and strategic planning. By helping providers build stronger and more sustainable businesses, Evergreen Start enables them to remain focused on what matters most: caring for children and supporting families.

The organization works alongside providers, businesses, communities, funders, and public partners to develop long-term solutions that strengthen New Hampshire's workforce and economy.

"I've always believed that strong child care systems are built through collaboration," said Warden. "Providers, families, employers, communities, philanthropy, and government all have a role to play. Evergreen Start exists to strengthen the systems that allow child care providers to thrive, so families have reliable care, businesses have a dependable workforce, and communities can grow. I'm honored to help lead that work."

Most recently, Warden has led the formation of Evergreen Start while coordinating the Coös County Directors Network and consulting with the Childcare Network Collaborative, supporting directors and providers across New Hampshire. Her work has focused on helping communities translate the need for more child care into practical, sustainable solutions—from financing new child care projects and building public-private partnerships to supporting providers with operational planning and long-term financial stability.

"As communities across New Hampshire continue to struggle with child care shortages, we have an opportunity to think differently," Warden said. "When we strengthen the systems behind child care, we strengthen local businesses, working families, and entire communities. That's the future Evergreen Start is building."

As Executive Director, Warden will lead Evergreen Start's strategic growth, fundraising, and statewide engagement while continuing to expand the organization's shared-services model throughout northern New Hampshire. Her appointment marks the next chapter for an organization committed to helping rural child care providers become stronger, more resilient, and better positioned to meet the needs of New Hampshire's families and employers. The Executive Director role is responsible for building the organization's long-term systems, partnerships, and sustainability as Evergreen Start grows.

About Evergreen Start

Evergreen Start is a New Hampshire-based nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the systems behind child care. Through shared operational services, financial management, workforce coordination, and strategic partnerships, Evergreen Start helps child care providers become stronger, more sustainable, and better equipped to serve families. By treating child care as essential community infrastructure, the organization supports providers, employers, and communities in building a stronger workforce and more resilient rural economy. https://www.evergreenstart.org/