Makayla Buchanan, former director of early learning and literacy for the Florida Chamber Foundation, has been named chief of staff for The Children’s Movement of Florida.
She will work closely with CEO Madeleine Thakur and a strong statewide board led by David Lawrence Jr., former publisher of The Miami Herald and The Movement’s founder.
“Every child in Florida deserves a strong start, and I'm thrilled to join The Children's Movement of Florida to help ensure that circumstances never undermine a child's chance to succeed,” said Buchanan. “Too often, those closest to these issues are not at the table. We need to make sure the voices of parents, educators, community, and workforce leaders guide the policies that matter most for Florida's future."
With the Florida Chamber Foundation, Buchanan had significant success in growing the number of stakeholders invested in early learning. That meant speaking in every corner of the state, producing influential research publications plus webinars, podcasts, and media coverage.
“With her deep commitment to early childhood education, her strong relationships all across our state, and her track record of executing on big projects, I know Makayla is the right leader and the right partner for The Movement," said Thakur.
Said Lawrence, “She’s already a proven leader for the future of children and families in Florida.”
In her new role, Makayla will support the execution of The Movement’s strategic initiatives, including the business-focused Bosses for Babies; the early literacy and mentorship program, ReadingPals; and the community-centered work of The Future Project. She will play a key role in state-level policy efforts aimed at increasing investment in high-quality early learning, health care for children, and parent support.
Buchanan is a member of Florida’s Early Learning Consortium, which focuses on legislative advocacy across a collaboration of organizations representing parents, small business owners and nonprofit child care operators, early childhood funders, and the early childhood workforce. She also serves on the board of the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida. She brings almost a decade of nonprofit leadership in Florida, including serving as CEO of the Clay Education Foundation and later supporting development, marketing, and strategic initiatives at the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. She’s also worked in government affairs, both with contract lobbyists and direct lobbying.
Recognizing her work, the Jacksonville Business Journal honored her with a “40 Under 40” award and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations bestowed its “Champions Award.” She’s a graduate of Leadership Florida Education and a former president of Leadership Clay. A graduate of the University of Florida and then from Liberty University with a master’s in public policy, she now is pursuing a doctorate in public policy with a focus on education.
A Florida native and daughter of two lifelong public school educators, Makayla believes deeply in the power of education to transform lives—unlocking the American dream for every child. She and her husband, on active duty with the Army service, have one daughter who just started prekindergarten.