O’Brien to receive Emerging Leader Award

District 191 Early Learning Supports Specialist Danny O’Brien will receive the Emerging Leader Award at the Minnesota Association of Family and Early Education (MNAFEE) annual conference in St. Cloud.

The award recognizes those who influence programs, organizations and communities, demonstrate a passion for growth, and persistently work to advance the field.

O’Brien has worked in District 191 for five years, including four years as a parent educator in Early Childhood Family Education.

“I'm flattered to be receiving this award. I believe that Early Childhood Family Education is the greatest public education program available in Minnesota and I'm very proud to be a part of helping ECFE to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the modern family,” O’Brien said. “In the perpetual motion of cultural change, we have the opportunity to meet the needs of families as they face the challenge of parenting in 2026 and beyond. Whether it's discussing anti-racist parenting or chatting about how current events impact our children and families, I love engaging families in the deeper topics of our shared human experience.”

Early Childhood Coordinator Kaitlin Cantolla nominated O’Brien for the Emerging Leader Award.

“Daniel’s leadership is defined by his deep commitment to equity and inclusiveness. Through home visiting, family engagement and partnerships across sectors, he connects with families, listens to their needs, and empowers them to build better futures,” Cantolla said. “He actively works to remove barriers and expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities, ensuring all families can thrive. Beyond direct service, Daniel mentors colleagues, fosters collaboration, and supports system-level improvements.”

The MNAFEE Family and Early Childhood Education Conference is April 22-24.