Kristin Jautz Takes the Helm on 5 Steps to Five Board
Local nonprofit 5 Steps to Five was founded in 2013 to empower new parents to nurture their child’s brain development during the first, crucial years of life. Based on the vision of founders Mary Alice and Kent Warner and Allen Clark, the organization has since served well over 300 families in Port Chester. Recently, the Board of Directors welcomed Rye resident Kristin Jautz as its new Board President.
Jautz grew up in Germany and worked as an international producer for CNN before moving to Rye in 2002. Since then, she has volunteered at a number of organizations, including serving on the board of the Rye Youth Council and in various roles at Rye Presbyterian Church. She is also a co-founder of Zero Waste Day, a county-wide recycling effort benefiting local nonprofits.
She learned about 5 Steps to Five a few years ago when she attended their friend–raiser at the Rye Free Reading Room. “I was struck by both the simplicity of their concept, and the profound potential for change. Not only do parents learn easy ways to engage their babies, but recent data shows the programs are making a difference; when our kids enter Head Start, they are more confident, curious, and focused learners than their peers.”
Jautz is excited to help parents set their kids on a better path, because “early brain development is truly that important. It’s amazing to be able to say our organization has the ability to change a child’s entire life.”
Executive Director Lisa Field said she is thrilled to have her step into this role. “Kristin is the perfect person to guide us through the transition from a founder-led to a board-led organization.”
<To learn more about 5 Steps to Five, visit www.5stepstofive.org
