EP. 11 Office of Child Development & Early Learning

What happens when lived experience, cultural identity, and a passion for equity come together in one leader? In this episode, we explore how a personal journey fuels professional impact. In this episode of the Thinking CAAP podcast, Beck and Heather sit down with Luisa Olivo-Wolf, Bureau Director of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development at the Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Luisa shares her inspiring journey from frontline social worker at Community Progress Council to statewide policy leader, shaped by a deep commitment to family engagement and early childhood development. With roots in Community Action and a rich career spanning direct service, strategic innovation, and now public policy, Luisa brings a powerful and personal perspective on what it takes to drive meaningful, lasting change. Together, they explore the misunderstood scope of Community Action agencies, the long-term work of lifting families out of poverty, and the critical role early learning plays in a child's lifelong development. Luisa opens up about navigating multiple identities, embracing leadership as a Latina woman, and finding strength in vulnerability. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to better understand social impact work or chart their own path in it.