This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
Staff Report
WARSAW — Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce announced Kyrié Maierle as the incoming director of LaunchPad, Kosciusko County’s Child Care and Early Learning Coalition.
Maierle will serve in an incoming role through the end of 2026 and will officially assume the position of LaunchPad director on Jan. 1, succeeding current director Sherry Searles, who will continue supporting LaunchPad in a part-time role.
Launched in 2018 by the Kosciusko Chamber, Kosciusko County Community Foundation and United Way, LaunchPad works to address childcare availability, affordability and quality throughout Kosciusko County, according to a news release from the Chamber.
Through partnerships with local businesses, childcare providers and community organizations, the coalition supports early childhood education, connects families with childcare resources, provides professional development opportunities for educators and advocates for solutions to the local childcare crisis.
Access to quality, affordable childcare is essential to the success of local families and the strength of the workforce, the release states. By supporting children from birth to age 5, LaunchPad helps lay the foundation for lifelong learning while helping parents remain active in the workforce and enabling local businesses to attract and retain employees.
“I’m so excited to have Kyrié join the Chamber team as the LaunchPad director,” said Rob Parker, president and CEO of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce. “I believe she will be an extremely valuable asset in communicating the importance of childcare as it relates to workforce development and economic growth in Kosciusko County.”
Searles, who has led LaunchPad’s efforts to expand access to childcare and strengthen early learning opportunities in the community since 2018, will remain involved in a part-time capacity to help continue advancing the coalition’s mission.
“I am thrilled to have Kyrié join the LaunchPad team,” said Searles. “Her skillset and past experiences make her the perfect candidate to lead the coalition forward.”
Maierle’s appointment represents an important step in continuing LaunchPad’s work to strengthen early childhood education and address the childcare needs of Kosciusko County families and employers, the release states. With the continued support of community partners and local businesses, LaunchPad will remain focused on building a stronger early learning system that benefits children, families and the region’s economic future.
To learn more about LaunchPad’s programs, partnerships and efforts to improve early learning in Kosciusko County, visit klaunchpad.com.
