Anna Mercer-McLean

Anna Mercer-McLean has been director of Community School for People under Six, a five-star licensed child care center, for over 32 years with an amazing staff of early educators.  She holds a Level 12 Early Educator Certification with a Masters in Business Education and Bachelors in Business Administration, both from NC Central University. She received coursework in Early Childhood Education from UNC Chapel Hill and Durham Technical Community College.  She has worked in the Early Care and Education field for over 34 years.  Anna has been a long-time advocate for accessible, affordable and quality early care and education and a well-compensated workforce.  She currently is the President of the NC Institute for Child Development Professionals (NCICDP--the Institute), Former Co-Chair of the Advancing the Education of the Workforce Workgroup, serves on the Outreach and Public Awareness Committee, and has been past president of the Institute.  Also, Anna serves on the board of the Orange County Partnership for Young Children (first NC Smart Start agency). In addition, she has served on numerous other national, state and local boards and committees through the years, including NAEYC, NCaeyc and NCPC; and presented at numerous national, state and local conferences.  Anna is pleased to join the B.H. Rowland Foundation in January 2024.

Anna is married to John, and they have three wonderful adult children –John IV, Christina and Faith; and five beautiful grandchildren–Lauren, Christian, Evin, Eli and Eden.  They are a tennis family.  God is first in her life, followed by family and the joy of  giving back through community service.