Early Education Program Expands Staff

Two Fredericksburg area professionals have joined Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area, a local community-based coalition working to improve early childhood education and school readiness in the region. 

Mary Podlesny joins SBRA in a new position as Finance Specialist and is responsible for coordinating the non profit organization’s finance, accounting and budgeting activities.

Sara Branner was named Program Manager and Mary Podlesny will serve as Finance Specialist for the non profit organization.

Prior to joining SBRA, Branner was Director of Public Information for Spotsylvania County Schools.  Previously, she was an elementary and gifted resource teacher and supervised the professional development program and gifted services for Spotsylvania’s school division.  Branner holds an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University and a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

As Program Manager, Branner is responsible for implementing school readiness initiatives, leading and directing grant functions, conducting community needs assessments, creating new school readiness projects, and helping guide the non profit organization’s public engagement and fundraising campaigns.

Before joining SBRA, Podlesny was the Finance Director for Rappahannock Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  

Previously, she served as Chief Financial Officer for the George Washington Foundation and as Director of Advancement Research for the University of Mary Washington Foundation.  Podlesny earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Norbert College in Wisconsin and a master’s degree in Business Administration from George Washington University.

Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area is a 501(C)3 partnership of more than 40 public and private agencies, businesses and individuals working toward a common goal to ensure children arrive at school healthy and prepared to succeed in school and in life.  Emphasis is placed on strengthening existing early childhood education programs and implementing new approaches where needed. 

SBRA’s mission is to build partnerships with Fredericksburg area business and community leaders and increase awareness about the importance of providing our youngest citizens, children from birth to age five, with quality early care and education to better ensure their success in school and our region’s future workforce.  SBRA is led by an active volunteer board of directors and serves Planning District 16 which includes the city of Fredericksburg and Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties.