Soleil serves as Senior Program Officer for Washington STEM, supporting the organization’s Early STEM and King County strategies. She partners with key education and industry partners to support programming and policy intent on dismantling the institutional and systemic inequities that disproportionately impact families and students of color, those from low-income and rural backgrounds, and women.

Prior to Washington STEM, Soleil was Director of Professional Development and Coaching at Cultivate Learning. She directed the Certificate in Practice-Based Coaching and teaches Early Childhood and Family Studies courses at the University of Washington, where she completed her doctoral degree in education. Boyd started her early childhood education career as a preschool teacher assistant before becoming a preschool lead teacher, program supervisor, early learning coach and product developer.

Her past research addressed caregivers’ beliefs and practices related to early mathematics learning and the design of professional development that promotes reflection and practice and supports young children’s engagement in learning. Her professional work includes directing coach support in Washington state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), directing coach support for Early Achievers and implementing professional development for educators and coaches in and beyond Washington state.