Education Leader Valerie Coffman Named Executive Director of One Lawndale Children’s Discovery Center

Education Leader Valerie Coffman Named Executive Director of One Lawndale Children’s Discovery Center

Little Village education leader to helm transformative early childhood initiative for Lawndale families

CHICAGO — One Lawndale Children’s Discovery Center is proud to announce the appointment of education leader Valerie Coffman as its new Executive Director. Coffman brings more than a decade of experience in early childhood education, community engagement, and leadership development to the role. She will lead efforts to launch the Discovery Center, a children’s museum offering educational, health, recreational, cultural, and arts programming, set to open in 2027 and attract 75,000 visitors annually from across North Lawndale, Little Village, and the broader Chicagoland area.

A bilingual education leader and strategic thinker, Coffman most recently served as Director of Education at Enlace Chicago, where she led a diverse portfolio of public and private investments supporting early childhood access, leadership cultivation, and educational equity across nine public schools. She has built and sustained high-impact programs through strong community partnerships, grant stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to racial equity. She earned her bachelor’s degree at George Mason University, a master’s degree in child law and policy from Loyola University of Chicago and is currently enrolled at the Erikson Institute studying child development.

“As a mother, a proud Southwest Side native, and someone who has spent my career advocating for educational equity, I’m honored to lead this transformative project. This work is personal, and I’m committed to ensuring it reflects the hopes, strengths, and voices of our community,” said Valerie Coffman. “The One Lawndale Children’s Discovery Center is more than a museum; it’s a promise to our children and their futures. I’m excited to work hand in hand with the community to build a space where all children can learn, play, and thrive.”

“Valerie Coffman is a proven leader with the vision, integrity, and heart to bring One Lawndale Children’s Discovery Center to life,” said Leslie Mitchel Bond, founder of One Lawndale Children’s Discovery Center. “Her deep roots in education and community work, coupled with a steadfast commitment to equity, make her the ideal person for this role and I look forward to having her as a partner as we guide this transformative initiative. We’re thrilled to welcome her at this pivotal moment for Lawndale’s children and families.”

One Lawndale Children’s Discovery Center is designed to engage our youngest children through early enrichment and support families through connection and play. The Center will feature 15,000 square feet of indoor exhibits and 10,000 square feet of outdoor recreation and greenspace. Exhibits and resources will be dedicated to social-emotional learning (SEL), STEAM education, culturally representative programming, and healthcare promotion. The project is a community-driven response to decades of underinvestment in Lawndale’s youngest learners.

“Valerie brings a record of success in expanding education opportunities for young people to this role and we’re grateful to have her on our side as we fight for the investments Lawndale families deserve,” said Jesse Green, Board Chairman of the One Lawndale Children's Discovery Center. “She’s the kind of visionary we need to lead the Discovery Center into this next chapter, someone who listens deeply, acts boldly, and never loses sight of the community she serves.”

With the Center’s opening slated for 2027, Coffman’s leadership will guide the Center through its critical pre-launch phase, advancing partnerships, fundraising, and program development to ensure the Center’s long-term impact and sustainability.

For more information or to get involved, visit 1lcdc.org

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