2/12/18: Dr. Sara Watson, Global Director, ReadyNation

Children’s experiences during the first five years of life lay the foundation for the cognitive and social skills they need to be successful employees and citizens. Scientific research on the early brain and economic evaluations have shown that proven investments in early childhood for disadvantaged children generate benefits far exceeding their cost.

Dr. Sara Watson, Global Director of business group ReadyNation, will describe the evidence base for the importance of the early years in creating the workforce of the future and what business leaders are doing now to support early childhood.

Prior to founding ReadyNation and ReadyNation International, Dr. Watson was a senior officer at The Pew Charitable Trusts, and served as board member of Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families, Maryland Advocates for Children and Youth, and Virginia’s Action Alliance for Children and Youth. She has a B.A. (magna cum laude) from Carleton College, and Master of Public Policy and Ph.D. degrees from the Harvard Kennedy School.