Our Team
Our 355 employees have a mission: Helping children and families.
Noreen Landis-Tyson, President and CEO
Noreen has made a career of being a leader in Colorado Springs. Since joining CPCD in 1991, she has been a champion for early childhood services in our community and state-wide.
Besides leading our team of 355 employees, Noreen is also involved with The Quality of Life Indicators Education Vision Council, Alliance for Kids, LiveWell Colorado Springs and Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families. Recently she has served on both state and national committees to help set direction for early childhood services and to address the issues associated with poverty. Recognitions include being named as one of Colorado Springs Business Journal's Women of Influence in 2006, receiving the Vernon F. Jordan Community Leadership Award in 2007, and achieving the runner-up status for the Colorado Springs Business Journal's "Best Of' Women's Business Leader honor in 2008. She is also a 2006 graduate of the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute.
Noreen has been the President and CEO of CPCD since 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree from Westminster College in Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. In her spare time, Noreen is an internationally-ranked cycling official. nlandistyson@cpcd.org
Linda Meredith, Chief Operating Officer
Experience in child development is synonymous with Linda. Throughout her career, Linda has taught students of all ages and directed child care centers of every type. Linda came to CPCD as a Child Development Coordinator in 1997, and rose through the ranks until becoming the Chief Operating Officer in 2005.
Linda holds a Bachelor degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University and a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Colorado at Denver. Linda is also a 2006 graduate of the UCLA Management Fellows program, a 2008 graduate of Leadership Pikes Peak (the best class ever) and a 2009 graduate of the Community Leadership Program at the Center for Creative Leadership.
In addition to her role at CPCD, Linda is the immediate past president of the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children, a past president and member of the executive committee of the Colorado Head Start Association, and serves as the Region 8 Head Start Association representative to the National Head Start Association Board of Directors.
In her non-work hours, Linda enjoys reading, traveling, playing golf and spending time with her family. lmeredith@cpcd.org.
Mary Smieshek, Chief Financial Officer
Mary draws upon significant experience to provide financial management to CPCD. During her 28-year career, Mary has worked as a CFO with several government contractors in areas such as base operations, innovative research and architecture, and is well versed in federal acquisition regulations.
Mary holds a Bachelor's degree and an MBA in Accounting from University of Colorado and has been licensed as a CPA.
In her spare time, Mary enjoys spending time outdoors, visiting with family and friends, working with dogs, and travelling. msmieshek@cpcd.org
Dani Ewen, Human Resources Director
Dani, a native of Omaha, Neb., comes to CPCD with 14 years of human resources experience. During her recent tenure as human resources director at Cheyenne Mountain Resort, the hotel was recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work in Colorado” for four consecutive years.
Dani holds a Bachelor's degree in marketing and management from Augusta State University in Augusta, Ga., and an MBA from Texas State University. She is a 2010 graduate of the Developing Strategic Leaders at the Center for Creative Leadership, as well as a member of Society for Human Resource Management. dewen@cpcd.org
Marty Kemmer-Contreras, Community Relations Director
Colorado native Marty came to CPCD eight years ago as its Professional Development Coordinator facilitating staff focus groups and trainings. Two and a half years later, she was promoted to Community Relations Manager, championing CPCD’s mission within the community.
Marty has vast experience in volunteerism and the local nonprofit community. A graduate of Colorado College, she is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Pikes Peak, and has completed master-level coursework in nonprofit management and Nonprofit Leadership courses with the Center for Creative Leadership. She is also a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable. martyc@cpcd.org
