ROCKINGHAM — Brandi Covington has been named executive director of the Richmond County Partnership for Children.
The organization’s board said Covington’s experience in early childhood education and Head Start leadership made her a strong choice to lead the organization.
“The Richmond County Partnership for Children is pleased to welcome Brandi Covington as Executive Director. Mrs. Covington’s extensive experience in early childhood education and Head Start leadership will be a tremendous asset as we continue serving the children and families of Richmond County,” said the board of Richmond County Partnership for Children in a statement to the Journal. “We also extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Lori Schultz for her dedicated service as Interim Executive Director during this important transition. We look forward to the future under Mrs. Covington’s leadership.”
Covington most recently served as regional consolidated services Head Start director, a position she held since 2022.
Before that, she served as family services child development school readiness manager from July 2019 to April 2022, overseeing school readiness programming and parent, family and community engagement initiatives in compliance with the Head Start and Early Head Start Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework.
From January 2017 to July 2019, Covington worked as a professional development coordinator, collaborating with center managers, leadership and human resources staff to coordinate training and professional development for the Child Development Division at Family Services.
She previously served as an education coach from September 2015 to January 2017, providing intensive coaching to staff in support of school readiness goals, curriculum implementation and other professional development initiatives.
Earlier in her career, Covington spent more than 11 years as a resource and professional development specialist with the Richmond County Partnership for Children from March 2004 to September 2015.
A Richmond County native, Covington graduated from Richmond Senior High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and an associate degree in early childhood education from Richmond Community College.
Covington succeeds Dr. Lori Schultz, who was appointed interim executive director in May following the departure of Dr. Katrina Chance.