Ellen Specter
First Born Program News:
The First Born Program of Los Alamos announces the upcoming retirement of its Executive Director, Ellen Specter. After more than seven years of passionate leadership and commitment to our community, Specter will be stepping down from her role July 15, 2025, to enjoy future adventures with her friends and family.
During her tenure, Specter has led First Born through significant growth and impact, including: doubling the number of families served; effectively advocating for OBGYN care through BabyNet; partnering and collaborating with JJAB, PEEC, FSN, the libraries, Historical Society and multiple other local organizations to build stronger family connections; and expanding the Program offerings to include Lactation Counseling, Feeding Support, Infant CPR, Baby Wearing, Car Seat Safety, Holistic Sleep Coaching, Infant Massage and regular drop-in consultations. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s vision and ensuring its continued service to the families of Los Alamos.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work on impactful services and projects for families with young children,” Specter said. “The support, dedication, and commitment from the community, our staff, our families, and our partners has been invaluable, and I will always treasure the relationships and accomplishments we’ve shared.”
Board President Karen Holmes spoke about Specter’s contributions to the program.
“We are fortunate to have had Ellen at the helm for so many years,” Holmes said. “We will miss her guidance but we’re excited for her and this next chapter of life, and we look forward to finding another compassionate, focused leader who will carry forward First Born’s mission.”
As First Born embarks on the search for its next executive director, the organization seeks recommendations and hiring leads from the Los Alamos community.
“Our agency is in a really good place,” Specter said. “The staff provide stellar services to our client families, we have a supportive network, and our Board of Directors is committed to steering the organization on a stable path forward.”
The ideal candidate will be a passionate advocate for fostering early childhood connections and building strong family and community relationships. They should have demonstrated experience in leadership, management, strategic vision, and collaboration, and also exhibit excellent socio-emotional skills. The First Born Board of Directors invites those interested in the executive director position, or those who have strong hiring recommendations, to reach out to Holmes at board.president@firstbornla.org.
For more information about First Born Program of Los Alamos and its work, visit https://www.firstbornla.org/