Mayor Adams Appoints Amber Cartwright as Executive Director of Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education

March 4, 2025

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of Amber Cartwright as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. Cartwright enters into the role with nearly three decades of experience in child care and early childhood education across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. In this new role, Cartwright will lead strategy and coordinate planning among city agencies; foster innovation in partnership with families, providers, experts, and the private sector; and promote effective communication, policy advocacy, and public engagement among this office.

“It takes a city to raise a child — and in New York City, we rely on the strong leadership of teachers, multiple agencies, dedicated providers, parents, and so many more to give our children everything they need to succeed. I’m confident that with Amber Cartwright at the helm as the next executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, our children will be in safe, secure, and steady hands,” said Mayor Adams. “Amber understands that high-quality early childhood education is not just a policy priority, but a lifeline for working-class families and a foundation for lifelong success for our children. Her passion and professionalism will ensure that our children have the tools needed to thrive in our city, excel in the classroom, and be set on a path towards success.”

“We are thrilled to have Amber Cartwright serve as our executive director for the Mayor’s Office of Childcare and Early Childhood Education. She brings nearly 30 years of experience across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in early childhood education into this role,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Her leadership will be crucial in driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and advancing policies that ensure every child in New York City has access to high-quality care and education. We are confident that Amber’s vision and expertise will strengthen our city’s early childhood systems and better support families and providers alike.”

“I am excited to continue supporting children, families, early educators, child care providers, and the organizations dedicated to this critically important work,” said Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Executive Director Amber Cartwright. “Together, I hope to cultivate a collaborative early childhood community focused on building a high-quality, accessible, and sustainable early childhood education system — one that gives every child a strong start and a brighter future.”

Today’s appointment builds on the work the Adams administration has done to dramatically increase early childhood education for young New Yorkers and build a sustainable program where demand matches supply. Under the Adams administration, a record 150,000 children are enrolled across the system today, the out-of-pocket costs of child care subsidies have been reduced from $55 per week in 2022 to $5 per week today, and the Adams administration met its commitment to offer a seat to every child who applied for 3-K on time — the first time this has ever been done in the city's history.

Last year, the Adams administration invested $514 million to protect early childhood programs that were previously only temporarily funded with federal stimulus dollars. Mayor Adams and leadership of the New York City Council, also last year, announced a historic joint effort to strengthen early childhood education across the five boroughs and address longstanding systemic issues, while boosting enrollment and connecting families with more Pre-K and 3-K seats. The strategic plan — developed by an unprecedented joint Adams administration-Council working group, chaired by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar and City Council Speaker Adreinne Adams — is anchored by $100 million in new city investments allocated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget to implement an action-oriented roadmap for outreach and seat allocation across the city. With the new $100 million investment, the total investment in the FY25 city budget for early childhood education is $3 billion.

About Amber Cartwright

Amber Cartwright enters into the role of executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education with a proven track record of success within the child care sector across nearly 30 years of experience.

Previously, Cartwright was the vice president of core services at Teaching Matters, a professional development organization that works with superintendents, principals, teachers, and school leaders to strengthen institutional practices and improve student outcomes. In that role, Cartwright oversaw and implemented the strategic priorities of core services, expanded the program into new markets, and managed a team of over 60 employees.

Prior to that, Cartwright served as senior executive director for family empowerment and community partnerships, as well as director of professional development, policy, and implementation division in the Division of Early Childhood Education at New York City Public Schools. Within those roles, Cartwright provided strategic leadership and guidance to support district-and community-based early childhood care and assess policy development for early childhood program models.

Cartwright began her career as a family childcare provider and classroom teacher. After her time in the classroom, Cartwright served in several leadership roles overseeing early childhood education programs at the Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, and Phipps Community Development Corporation.

Cartwright earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from The City University of New York (CUNY) York College, a Master of Arts in psychology from CUNY City College of New York, and a Master of Education in early childhood leadership from Bank Street College of Education. She also holds New York state certifications as a school builder and a school district leader.

Cartwright will report to Deputy Mayor Almanzar.

"We welcome Amber Cartwright as she joins the Mayor’s Office for Child Care and Early Childhood Education as its executive director at such a critical time. As families, communities, and the programs that serve them navigate complex challenges, we need leaders who engage, listen, and act with purposeful impact," said Tara N. Gardner, executive director,  Day Care Council of New York. "With decades of experience in early childhood education, family engagement, and community partnerships — including roles at the New York City Department of Education, Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, Phipps Neighborhoods, and Harlem Children’s Zone — Amber is well-positioned to advance the office’s mission and strengthen support for New York City’s diverse families and early childhood sector. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Deputy Mayor Almanzar, Amber, and the Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education team."

“QUALITYstarsNY warmly welcomes Amber Cartwright as the new executive director of the Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education,” said Yessenia Rosario-Adon, director of quality improvement, QUALITYstarsNY. “Having worked alongside Amber when we both served as early childhood education program directors, I have witnessed firsthand her dedication to early childhood education and her advocacy for early childhood leaders across the city. Her understanding of early childhood education and her commitment to collaboration will serve her well in this role. We are excited about Amber’s vision for strengthening partnerships and supporting high-quality care across early childhood settings in New York City. We look forward to working together to support educators, enhance the quality of our city's early care and learning programs, and create a stronger, more equitable early childhood system for New York City families.”

“Congratulations to Amber Cartwright for her appointment as executive director of the Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education,” said Eleanor Quallo, governance consultant, Head Start and Early Head Start. “Cartwright’s extensive experience and knowledge of child care and early childhood education make her exceptionally qualified to continue advocating for our New York City’s child care and early childhood community.”

“Amber has been a fierce advocate for the enhancement and development of the child care system in New York City and beyond,” said Cheryl Dewitt, executive director, Williamsbridge NAACP Early Childhood Education Center. “Since our initial meeting approximately ten years ago, Amber has led conversations in many rooms about the importance of early childhood development and created safe, nurturing, and predictable spaces for our youngest learners. She has been an ally to programs as they navigated the restructuring of early childhood education under the New York City Department of Education’s birth-to-five contracts as they transitioned from the New York City Administration for Children’s Services. Amber will be an informed, knowledgeable member of the mayor’s team. She is ready to address and implement changes, and update as necessary to ensure our infants and toddlers, 3K and Pre-K students receive a quality early childhood education, which encompasses academic, social-emotional and the overall development of the whole child. Amber knows the importance of the benefits of a quality program because she has been a leader on an individual basis. Now, she’s in the position to bring her expertise to the entire city and child care system. Amber, congratulations. You are the right person for the job and will rise to the task!”

"Amber Cartwright has dedicated her life to ensuring that New York City's children have access to high-quality, impactful child care and early childhood education," said Shael Polakow-Suransky, president, Bank Street College of Education. "With her decades of experience and expertise, Amber is the perfect fit for becoming the city's next executive director for the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. We looking forward to working with her to ensure that our children receive the very best our city has to offer."