The Lois Engstrom Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has made dynamic contributions to advance the goals and principles of locally and throughout Minnesota.  

Lois Engstrom was instrumental in the design, development and statewide expansion of the public school Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program for all families with children from birth to kindergarten and their parents. She provided wise and inspirational leadership for this and other family and early learning initiatives including School Readiness over 25 years in her position at the Minnesota Department of Education. After retirement she shepherded founding of the Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE) and helped build it into the organization it is today.

Nominees for the Lois Engstrom Leadership Award must:

• Be a current or past member of MNAFEE
• Have five or more years of demonstrating strong leadership in the field of family and early education, particularly as it pertains to parent education, Early Childhood Family Education and/or early childhood programming in public schools in Minnesota
• Show a career-long commitment to the field of family and early education, particularly as it pertains to parent education, Early Childhood Family Education and/or early childhood programming in public schools
• Have made a significant impact on the lives of young children, parents and/or families, and/or professionals in the field.
• Have had a statewide impact through their efforts to improve the lives of children, parents and/or families, and/or professionals in the field.

The individual selected for the award will be recognized at the Annual Family and Early Childhood Education Conference in mid-April.  They will receive a plaque and news release.

Nominations must be completed and submitted by February 21, 2025.