Deborah Mann
Executive Director/CEO
Executive Director and Founder of Emmanuel Family & Child Development Center, Deborah Mann, has a lifelong mission to meet the needs of children and families in the urban core. She is committed to cultivating a quality early learning environment that promotes kindergarten and school readiness. Her vision is that the children served at Emmanuel will become confident future leaders who love who they are and what they do.
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As someone who grew up in the Prospect Corridor, Deborah started Christian Community Preschool in 1986 because she knew first-hand the need for quality childcare in the southeast KCMO community. Since then, Deborah and her team have grown the organization into what it is today; a childcare campus that serves over 400 children each year through infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age programming.
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Deborah's persevering vision has helped establish her as a leader in the community. She serves on the United Services Community Action Agency’s board, numerous advisory panels and frequently shares Emmanuel’s story with stakeholders and elected officials.
​From 2017-2019, Deborah led a capital campaign to build a new 28,000 sq ft Early Education facility that opened in 2020 despite the challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic. She is currently working to see the completion of the Emmanuel Campus through the addition of a parking lot and the Youth Science and Technology Center.
Deborah has an AA degree in Early Childhood Development, a BA in Child and Family Studies, and a MA in Counseling and Psychology. She is also a foster parent of eighteen years. Her desire is to one day also counsel low-income children and families that have experienced trauma.
Our Leadership
Denise Crawford
Director of Human Resources and Fiscal Management
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Denise holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and a minor in Economics from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in May 2004. As a mother, she feels that it is always important to treat children with a clear mind and kind heart.
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Denise has recently gained a Master’s in Leadership in Early Childhood degree. She feels like these degrees have prepared her to work effectively in a number of HR disciplines, with a focus on leadership, interpersonal and organizational behaviors, and approaches for managing and motivating employees.
At Emmanuel We Value:
Transparency: We choose to interact in a way that supports others understanding our motives and intent.
Learn more about Emmanuel's values.