Young Hearts Open Minds names Arielle Handevidt as CEO, plans to expand early childhood equity work

Young Hearts Open Minds has named Arielle Handevidt as its new chief executive officer, selecting a longtime early childhood educator and advocate to lead the organization’s next phase of growth.

A Lifelong Calling in Early Childhood Development

Handevidt will join the Minneapolis-based nonprofit in late July. She previously served as senior director of early education and innovation and director of collective impact for early childhood at Northside Achievement Zone. Her background also includes leadership roles with the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health and the Center for Inclusive Childcare.

Founded in 2020, Young Hearts Open Minds (YHOM) works with early childhood educators and families to help children ages 1 to 5 recognize, embrace and appreciate differences. The organization trains educators and partners with childcare centers and preschools to support children’s social-emotional development while addressing bias at an early age. According to the organization, it is currently integrated into more than 35 childcare and preschool programs, with more than 400 teachers trained and nearly 3,000 children impacted daily.

Handevidt said her interest in early childhood development began long before her professional career. As the oldest of five children, she grew up helping care for younger siblings while her mother operated a family childcare program from their home. That experience sparked a lifelong interest in how children learn and develop through relationships with parents, caregivers, teachers and peers.

Throughout her career, Handevidt has focused on strengthening the systems that support young children, including childcare programs, educators and families. She said those experiences reinforced the importance of ensuring all children have access to high-quality learning opportunities, particularly as Minnesota continues to face racial disparities in education and child development outcomes.

“We know that young children start to identify differences early on, and how adults respond to those conversations really sets the foundation for how children think about the world and see the world,” Handevidt said.

Prioritizing Anti-Bias and Inclusion in Minnesota Classrooms

YHOM Board Chair Dr. Sheila Williams Ridge said the organization’s search committee sought a leader who understood both early childhood education and the broader systems that shape children’s experience. While nonprofit leadership experience and educational expertise were important qualifications, she said the board prioritized candidates who demonstrated a commitment to equity and inclusion.

Williams Ridge said Handevidt’s work in early childhood mental health, workforce development and community-based education stood out during the search process. She also pointed to Handevidt’s ability to articulate a vision for expanding the organization’s reach while remaining focused on its mission.

YHOM founder and outgoing leader Bill Svrluga said the organization was looking for a candidate who combined leadership experience, a deep understanding of early childhood education and a commitment to addressing bias through systemic change. He said Handevidt’s experience in workforce development, early childhood mental health and racial equity work made her a strong fit to guide the organization’s next stage of growth.

“She’s got a passion for the work,” Svrluga said. “The intersection of early childhood education and anti-bias work is central to who she is, and that aligned strongly with what we were looking for in a leader.”

Using “Windows and Mirrors” to Combat Early Bias

Under Handevidt’s leadership, YHOM plans to increase its partnerships with childcare centers and family childcare providers while exploring opportunities to collaborate with colleges and universities that prepare future educators. The organization also hopes to play a larger role in workforce development by supporting and advancing a more diverse early childhood workforce across Minnesota.

A key part of the organization’s work involves helping educators discuss race, identity and differences in age-appropriate ways. Handevidt described one approach as the concept of “windows and mirrors.” In practice, children are encouraged to explore their own identities through activities such as self-portraits, in which they observe characteristics like skin tone, hair color and eye color. At the same time, classrooms expose children to books, images and experiences that reflect cultures and backgrounds different from their own.

The goal, Handevidt said, is to help children see themselves represented while also learning to recognize and appreciate the experiences of others. By introducing those ideas early, educators can help create environments where differences are viewed as something positive rather than something to fear or avoid.

Cultivating Equity Like a Garden

Williams Ridge offered a similar perspective, comparing racial equity in early childhood settings to a garden. Just as different plants contribute unique qualities to a healthy ecosystem, she said children, families and educators bring different strengths, experiences and perspectives into a classroom community. Recognizing and valuing those differences, she said, helps create a stronger and more inclusive environment for everyone.

The organization’s programming is delivered through a cohort model in which groups of educators participate in a 10-week series of learning modules and discussions. Rather than focusing on individual teachers, the model is designed to help entire programs examine their practices and build cultures that support inclusion and belonging.

Building a Lasting Legacy of Belonging

Looking ahead, both Handevidt and Williams Ridge see opportunities for YHOM to expand its impact across Minnesota. Handevidt said she hopes more educators, families and children will gain access to the organization’s resources, while Williams Ridge believes the nonprofit can help create spaces where conversations about bias, identity and belonging become more open and productive.

Svrluga said the organization was founded on research showing that attitudes and biases begin forming during the earliest years of childhood. By working with educators, families and childcare providers, he said YHOM aims to help children develop a sense of belonging and respect for others before harmful stereotypes take root.

“We really want children to see themselves and see others as important, valuable, worthy and lovable,” Handevidt said.

For more information on Young Hearts Open Minds, visit www.youngheartsopenminds.org/.

Alaysia Lane is a contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. She welcomes reader responses at aal7008@nyu.edu.