Colleen Rathgeb, Director
Colleen Rathgeb is the Director of the Office of Legislation and Budget at the Administration for Children and Families, an agency that administers more than 60 programs with a budget of more than $70 billion. Prior to this role, Colleen was the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary of Early Childhood Development ensuring that the Office of Early Childhood Development, Office of Child Care, and Office of Head Start deliver the strongest possible outcomes for young children, families, providers, and educators in states, tribes, territories, and communities.
A trusted senior advisor to political leaders across six administrations, Colleen brings deep experience in early care and education programs, as well as broad knowledge of human service policy, programs, research, and operations. She previously served as the Director of Policy, Oversight, and Planning at the Office of Head Start spearheading numerous reforms and as a Senior Advisor and Analyst in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at HHS. She began her career in a Head Start program in Brooklyn, NY. Colleen holds a Master's in Public Policy from the University of Chicago and her Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University.