Deep Dive into Izzi with Board Chair Dionne Clabaugh, EdD.
By: Jonathan Oei
I got to sit down and talk with board chair Dr. Dionne Clabaugh to learn more about her experience with Izzi Early Education and her time as our board member!
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Introduce yourself and your role.
Hi Jonathan, I’m Dionne Clabaugh, and I’m the chair of Izzi’s board at Izzi Early Education.
How did you get involved with Izzi Early Education?
Several years ago—almost six years ago—I was invited by board member Suji Venkataraman to join the board of the (formerly) Institute for Human and Social Development (IHSD Inc.). She mentioned the organization’s name, and I said yes! I didn't know much about it at the time, but social and human development are central to my work as an educator. I thought it would be great to support an institute focused on these areas.
So, I attended the first meeting and discovered that IHSD was a Head Start organization, and they were planning a fundraiser for its 35th anniversary. I was observing, so I couldn't speak, but I had four pages of ideas. Based on the quality of communication and the background, intentions, service, compassion, and passion of the people there, I thought, “No problem; I hope to be included.” That was it. Over the years, I also had students in my college classroom who were employees of various Head Start programs.
How has volunteering with Izzi Early Education impacted you personally or professionally?
Well, personally, it’s about the relationships and the people—not just the Izzi staff, but also the board members. Board members come and go, yet Izzi relationships are strong, wonderful, and precious. When we work hard together for each family’s benefit and for our common goals, it’s the right kind of work in my book. It's the work I want to be doing, because it builds our society in a positive way.
I have learned so much about being a board member in this environment. I had the absolute pleasure of being guided by Lisa Hoffman, coached by Kelly Bathgate, and meeting with Tess Reynolds and Angel Barrios. I’ve learned what it takes - and what it looks and feels like - to be a member of a strong and effective board. That’s something I can carry with me to any other board I join once I term off at Izzi.
I think Izzi’s board is very functional and engaging. Our board members value what they contribute and believe in what they’re doing, and they appreciate the organization.
Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from your time with the organization?
I have several good memories. One of them is from pre-COVID when I met Jennifer Pifileti. At that time, I was on the school readiness committee, and for some reason, it was just the two of us. I started to become aware of her workload and offered to help her. We worked together once or twice a month for two years during COVID, which helped her feel more settled and grounded in her role.
When you have a huge job, it’s important to have someone to bounce ideas around or to gain a perspective that mirrors your own experiences, along with suggestions on how to navigate challenges. Sometimes, talking to someone outside the organization can reveal ways to be more effective.
That experience was memorable. Not only did it solidify a lovely working relationship with Jennifer, but it also contributed to Izzi’s strategic planning process. I think she’s proud of it, as am I!
What makes Izzi so special?
The longevity of the staff is first and foremost. When you have people working in an organization for all or most of their professional careers, you’ve got a secret sauce, and people recognize it. At events—whether celebrations, staff appreciation, or training—the staff are engaged and eager to be there. It’s clear to me that a significant number of staff are grateful to work at Izzi. They don’t just say they work at Izzi; they say they work for Izzi.
People truly appreciate being able to contribute, knowing their voices matter and that they’re important. As a non-profit, I see Izzi as a thriving community. I often think about the move from San Mateo’s Bovet Road to San Bruno. I remember visiting the office to meet with Angel when all the boxes were piled up and then returning to find everything had been moved. The entire process integrated smoothly into the regular daily work.
As board chair, I don’t feel that the massive undertaking of the move disrupted our daily operations. I trust that both the core work and the logistics of the move were handled well.
How has Izzi changed or grown since you joined?
When I first joined the board, we were transitioning to a more fiduciary board structure. It took a couple of years to identify the types of professionals needed for an effective board, in addition to what Head Start requires, and I believe we’ve successfully achieved that in recent years.
Going through COVID together highlighted the incredible efforts that the Izzi staff put into making Izzi locations safe and healthy for the families served. They diligently kept up with all the health changes while juggling four sets of requirements—Head Start, California regulations, community care licensing, and county guidelines. That’s four sets of rules that sometimes conflicted or varied in strictness. I know it was frustrating to navigate which direction to take, but we always prioritized the healthiest and most protective approach possible.
As a result, the organization has become more tightly knit. I think you all know each other much better now, and the respect for everyone’s roles has deepened. Izzi may not have intended for this outcome, but the way we approached COVID and adhered to all its legislation brought the organization closer together and made it stronger.
Where do you want to see Izzi going this year? The next 5 years?
This year, I want Izzi to achieve the enrollment levels we need. I know there are markers and indices we should be aiming for, and I want more people in the community to recognize who Izzi is. We have a lot of opportunities ahead, especially with our move to the new offices and having a classroom there.
In five years, I’d love to walk into a Safeway on El Camino—any Safeway—wearing an Izzi shirt and have someone say, “Hey, I know that’s a Head Start!” Right now, many people don’t know what Head Start is or who Izzi Early Education is. In five years, I want everyone to know exactly who we are.
Are there any areas you believe the organization should focus on or explore further in the future?
Always be aligned with our mission, vision, and strategic plans, and always serve our Head Start families.
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A huge thank you to Dionne for taking the time and letting me interview her. It was so great getting the opportunity to learn from your insights and experiences. We are lucky to have you as a chair on our board!
