Our Team
Barb Tengesdal, Ph.D.
Director- First 5 Fox Valley
Barb brings a broad range of expertise in child development and non-profit leadership that is critical to building the infrastructure of the new Help Me Grow navigator system that matches families with young children to the resources available in our tri-county area. She is a respected leader in the field of early childhood with a deep understanding of how to create resource equity for all families, enabling our youngest children to thrive. Barb obtained a Master of Education degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning from the University of North Dakota and has taught at Universities in three different states. At the heart of her values, Barb believes that childhood should be a journey, not a race through life!
Susan Finkel-Hoffman, Ed.D.
Family Outreach Navigator- Child Development Specialist
Susan’s passion is working with children and families; having spent her entire career in early childhood education. Susan has worked as a teacher of children birth to age 8 in a variety of for profit and not-for profit early learning programs. She has a Master’s degree in Education from St. Mary’s University and a Ed.D in Higher Education Leadership with a double minor in Curriculum Planning and Early Childhood Education. Susan brings with her skills in Advocacy, Inclusion, and Collaboration.