Staff

Michelle Mapp serves as RIE’s CEO and has been in this role since February 2020. Michelle has more than two decades of experience in communications, management and specifically working with nonprofits. Prior to joining RIE, Michelle had her own nonprofit consulting business helping numerous organizations reach their mission and objective.  Michelle holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Warwick Business School in the United Kingdom, a bachelors of arts in Political Communications from George Washington University in Washington DC, and a certificate in nonprofit management from Duke University in North Carolina.  She also holds two project management certifications including the PMP (Project Management Professional) from PMI (Project Management Institute) and the PMD Pro for project management for international development professionals.  

Michelle lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, two sons and their little dog, Louie.

Melissa Coyne’, RIE®’s Program Director, is an Early Childhood Educator who has 28 years of experience building relationships with children and parents. In addition to holding a Master’s degree in Child Development, she is a RIE® Associate and a certified PITC (Program for Infant/Toddler Care) trainer. Melissa was first introduced to the Educaring® Approach at the early childhood program where she worked for 22 years and cultivated her commitment to philosophical integrity. She facilitates RIE® courses in the Los Angeles area and has presented workshops on how to respectfully parent tweens and teens. Melissa is the mother of two teenage daughters who continually challenge her to look at herself and learn about the rewards of relationships built on connection and collaboration that begin in infancy. She is passionate about inspiring adults and children to be critical thinkers in areas of anti-racism, equity and self-awareness. Melissa is a firm believer that parenting is an ongoing process, not a product, to be handled with intention, deep reflection and great care.

Abigail Marsters, RIE®’s Operations Manager, has been an Early Childhood Educator and Director for 27 years building relationships with children, young families, and teachers and managing a thriving non-profit preschool community. Abigail is a new resident of California, having moved here from the Boston area with her husband, Stephen, to start a new set of adventures. Abigail was first introduced to the Educaring® Approach during her job search and immediately found that it resonated with her own philosophy about early childhood education and parenting. She has loved being a parent and say it is the best and hardest job she has ever had. The schools Abigail taught in and directed, and the one she created, use a child-driven emergent curriculum where the children’s needs and interests drive all activities and programming. Abigail and her husband Stephen are the parents of two wonderful adults, a daughter in Brooklyn, and a son here in Eagle Rock. Abigail is passionate about supporting non-profits, especially those which serve children and families, and looks forward to learning all about her new state of California.