Amy Hitchinson named IAOTP’s Top CEO/Founder of the Decade

By AI, Created 4:00 AM UTC, May 25, 2026, /AGP/ – IAOTP will honor Amy Hitchinson at its annual awards gala in December 2026 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The award recognizes her three decades in early learning and her work leading The Ivy Academy of Early Learning and related community programs.

Why it matters: - IAOTP selected Amy Hitchinson as Top CEO/Founder of the Decade 2026, a one-person recognition that spotlights leadership in the early learning sector. - The honor brings added visibility to The Ivy Academy of Early Learning, a nonprofit network serving children and families in Illinois. - Hitchinson’s work centers on early childhood education, inclusive learning and support services for children with disabilities.

What happened: - IAOTP will honor Hitchinson at its Annual Awards Gala in December 2026 at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. - IAOTP said Hitchinson was chosen for more than three decades of leadership in early learning. - Hitchinson is founder and CEO of The Ivy Academy of Early Learning in Elgin, Illinois. - Hitchinson also founded The Ivy Academy of Early Learning II, Inc. in Geneva, the North End Youth Center in Elgin and Harrington Builders Inc.

The details: - The Ivy Academy of Early Learning serves children from six weeks to 12 years old. - The nonprofit offers infant care, toddler programs, preschool, pre-K, full-day kindergarten, half-day kindergarten, before- and after-school care, and summer camp. - The academy emphasizes play-based education, creative exploration and holistic development. - Hitchinson has led The Ivy Academy of Early Learning in Elgin since 2011 and The Ivy Academy of Early Learning II, Inc. since 2018. - She has served as president of Harrington Builders Inc. since 2013, helping local families access affordable housing. - Earlier in her career, Hitchinson was area director for PROaupair and spent more than 20 years as center director at Betty’s Daycare in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg. - Her areas of expertise include early childhood development, childcare management, nonprofit leadership, child and youth advocacy, organizational leadership and parenting skills training. - Hitchinson earned a master’s degree in sociology from National Louis University, a bachelor’s degree in humanistic sociology from Western Illinois University and an associate’s degree in child development from William Rainey Harper College. - Her academic background also includes a certificate in child development and recognition for early childhood literacy and child advocacy.

Between the lines: - Hitchinson’s personal experience as a mother to a daughter with a disability shapes her focus on advocacy and inclusive education. - Her portfolio spans education, housing and youth services, which suggests a broader community-development strategy beyond early learning. - Her planned work with officials in Italy to create programs for adults with developmental disabilities signals an expansion beyond Illinois and beyond children’s services. - IAOTP’s recognition also appears designed to amplify members through gala honors and possible magazine features.

What’s next: - Hitchinson will be inducted at IAOTP’s December gala and is also slated to be considered for a feature in TIP Magazine. - She will also be honored for induction into Bombshell Boss Babes at the same event. - Hitchinson is collaborating with officials in Italy on a plan to convert unused properties into community centers for adults with developmental disabilities. - The Ivy Academy’s three centers remain in operation as Hitchinson continues to expand her community impact.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is elevating Hitchinson as a leader whose influence reaches early education, disability advocacy and community development.