Our Leadership Team
Jenn joined Long Beach Day Nursery (LBDN) in 2019 with a background in nonprofit fund development, communications, grant writing, volunteer management and leadership development. She is a bilingual Certified Trained Facilitator with a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California Santa Barbara. Prior to joining LBDN she was based in Mexico and had a 20-year international career focusing on community transformation and poverty reduction strategies. She currently serves as a Commissioner for the City of Long Beach’s Women and Girls Commission, is the Fund Development Workgroup chair for the Board of Directors for the Long Beach Early Childhood Education Committee and sits on the board of The Mexican Association of Rural and Urban Transformation, Amextra based in Mexico City. She is also a proud member of the Build Up California Advisory Board and the National Early Childhood Practitioners Advisory Council with the Low Income Investment Fund.
Executive Director
Jennifer Harper
We’re hiring! See opportunities to join the LBDN team below.
Finance Director
Stacy Bass
Stacy joined LBDN in 2014 and brought ample experience of over 17 years in the field of corporate accounting and finance. She has worked in a variety of industries managing accounting, finance and operations departments. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from California State University Dominguez Hills where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Margaret joined LBDN in 2010 as a Substitute Teacher, was promoted to Head Teacher in 2011, was promoted to Center Director in 2015 and Director of Programs in 2016. Margaret received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Child Development and Family Life Education from Cal State University Long Beach. She is certified as a Program Director by the State of California, Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Margaret is uniquely qualified to oversee programming at LBDN as she has progressed her career through many of the positions within our agency giving her a keen eye for program requirements, strengths and areas of growth.
Director of Programs
Margaret Blevins
Communications and Development Manager
Amanda Fruta
Amanda joined LBDN in 2024 to foster organizational growth in strategic communications and fund development. With specializations in marketing and communications, fundraising, stakeholder relations, project management, and organizational development, her career centers on impactful storytelling, building partnerships, and audience engagement. She earned her Master of Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach, her Bachelor of Arts from Occidental College, and leadership certificates from The Nonprofit Partnership and the California State University system. She is a proud member of the Arts Council for Long Beach Board of Directors, where she continues to invest in local arts, culture, and community vitality.
Linda joined LBDN as a teacher in 1990 and has now served as the Center Director for the West Branch since February 2000. One of her main goals is getting the community and neighborhood surrounding the Center more involved at LBDN. Linda has an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Long Beach City College and is certified as a Site Supervisor by the State of California, Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Center Director, West Branch
Linda Blackshire
Associate Center Director, East Branch
Neriah Alvarez
Neriah has been a Teacher with LBDN since January 2019. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Development from Cerritos College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Art from Azusa Pacific University and a Site Supervisor Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Neriah strives to support all children, families, and staff in her role as Associate Center Director at the East Branch.
Associate Center Director, West Branch
Anya Mazariegos
Anya started at LBDN as a Head Teacher in 2016 and was promoted to Associate Center Director of West Branch in 2024. She earned an Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and an Associate of Science in with an emphasis is mental health from California State University, Dominguez Hills as well as an Associate of Arts AA Child Development from Los Angeles Southwest College. She also holds a Site Supervisor Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is currently pursuing her Master in Social Work from University of Southern California. Anya is committed to serving LBDN to provide dynamic instruction dedicated to fostering child development in her role as the Associate Center Director at the West Branch.
Daniela joined LBDN in 2024 and has been working in the Early Childhood Education field for over 25 years. She utilizes her expertise in her leadership role, providing students with a safe, friendly environment and a top-notch education, while supporting staff through training and professional development. Her outgoing personality also builds strong partnerships with parents. Daniela holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from National University and a Bachelor of Arts in child development from California State University, Northridge.
Center Director, East Branch
Daniela Moreno