Mariana Souto-Manning, Ph.D., is the President of Erikson Institute, a premier institution dedicated to advancing knowledge, practice, and policy in early childhood education, child development, and family well-being. A visionary leader, scholar, and advocate, she is driving Erikson’s transformation to align its mission, vision, and structure with strategic priorities that ensure long-term sustainability, research excellence, and workforce development. Under her leadership, Erikson is redefining its role in the early childhood landscape, preparing professionals to address urgent challenges facing young children, their families, and communities. With a focus on research-driven workforce development, policy engagement, and academic excellence, Dr. Souto-Manning is spearheading initiatives that position Erikson as a national leader in early childhood education, early intervention, mental health, and social work. Before joining Erikson, Dr. Souto-Manning was a Professor and Director of Early Childhood Education and Teacher Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She has also held academic appointments at the University of Iceland and King’s College London and currently serves as an Honorary Research Professor at Teachers College. Her global impact is reflected in her work with research centers and universities across Australia, Brazil, Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand. Nationally, she has served in leadership roles in major professional organizations, including as Chair of the National Council of Teachers of English Research Foundation and Vice President of Division K (Teaching and Teacher Education) at the American Educational Research Association (AERA). In Illinois, she co-led the Research, Data, and Evaluation Committee of the state’s Early Learning Council. A distinguished scholar, Dr. Souto-Manning’s research is deeply community-engaged, centering on early childhood teaching, teacher education, and systemic change. She is the author of 12 books and over 100 peer-reviewed articles, earning multiple honors, including the AERA Innovations in Research on Diversity in Teacher Education Award and an AERA Fellowship in 2023. Dr. Souto-Manning is leading Erikson’s bold strategic direction from 2025 through 2029, anchored in five key priorities:
- Expanding access to high-quality professional preparation, licensure pathways, and field-based training for those working with young children, families, and communities.
- Advancing interdisciplinary research and policy engagement to drive systemic change.
- Strengthening student support services and alumni networks for career success.
- Cultivating strategic partnerships across sectors to amplify impact.
- Elevating Erikson’s influence in research, policy discussions, and blueprints for quality early childhood programs.
A first-generation immigrant from Brazil, Dr. Souto-Manning began her career as a public preschool teacher before earning her undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees from the University of Georgia. Her journey from educator to institutional leader underscores her lifelong dedication to building more effective, responsive, and research-driven early childhood systems. At Erikson Institute, she is fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, ensuring that every professional who enters the field is equipped to create meaningful, lasting change for children, families, and communities. She also serves as a Board Member at the Children’s Defense Fund.