Richland First Steps (RFS), a leading early childhood education and family support organization in Richland County, has announced Elizabeth Kabalka, MSSW, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Kabalka will officially step into her role on April 21, bringing a deep background in nonprofit leadership, early childhood development, and community engagement.
Kabalka most recently served as Programs Director at Smart Start of Mecklenburg in Charlotte, N.C., where she managed nearly $13 million in public funding to support education, health, literacy, and family support services. During her five-year tenure, she led key initiatives to improve early care and education quality across the county.
“Elizabeth Kabalka brings a wealth of knowledge, a proven track record in program management, and a deep passion for improving outcomes for young children and families,” said Davida Price, Chair of the RFS Executive Search Committee. “Her expertise will be invaluable as we expand our impact in Richland County.”
Kabalka’s career has been rooted in child development, community collaboration, and nonprofit sustainability. She previously held leadership positions with the Center for Mindful Living and the Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute, where she implemented innovative programming and built strong partnerships.
“Elizabeth’s leadership comes at a pivotal time,” added Rachael Fulmer, Chair of the RFS Board. “As we celebrate 25 years of serving families in Richland County, she is the ideal leader to carry our mission forward.”
Kabalka holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Georgia State University. Her community involvement includes board and committee service focused on developing collaborative solutions to improve child and family well-being.
“I am honored to join Richland First Steps and continue its mission of preparing young children for school and life success,” said Kabalka. “This organization plays a critical role in supporting families and strengthening our community. I look forward to building on that strong foundation.”
Since its founding in 1999, Richland First Steps has supported families and young children through programs like Early Head Start, home visitation, and school readiness initiatives. With Kabalka at the helm, the organization is poised to continue its impactful work well into the future.
For more information about Richland First Steps and its programs, visit www.richlandfirststeps.org.
