05 Team & governance

Education, workforce, and community leaders.

Strong Start is led by people committed to practical implementation, transparent stewardship, and long-term student success.

Executive Director

Jit Sihra

Jit Sihra serves as Executive Director of Strong Start, guiding the organization’s mission to build strong, resilient communities by investing in early childhood foundations that shape lifelong learning, work, and contribution.

Her work focuses on bridging early childhood development, character education, and long-term workforce readiness by partnering with educators, districts, and philanthropic organizations. Jit brings experience in systems thinking, program design, and cross-sector collaboration, with a strong commitment to ensuring that early readiness efforts are equitable, practical, and sustainable.

She works closely with school leaders and community partners to translate readiness frameworks into classroom-aligned implementation and long-term impact.

Board President

Dr. Michael Trimberger

Dr. Michael Trimberger is an education leader who has spent his career working across early learning, K–12 education, workforce development, and community partnerships. No matter the role or setting, one pattern has stayed clear to him: when readiness is built intentionally, students thrive. When it is left to chance, potential is often missed.

As a superintendent and district leader, Mike has focused on helping schools connect what happens in classrooms to the real world students will eventually enter. Through close collaboration with educators, employers, and community partners, Mike has helped shape practical, classroom-ready approaches that strengthen honesty, respect, responsibility, and purpose.

Mike has served as Chair of the Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards and contributed practitioner insight to statewide and national conversations, including congressional briefings.

Superintendent, Random Lake School District
Co-Chair, Wisconsin Career Readiness Standards

Board Treasurer

David Zachman

Business Mentor and Angel Investor

David brings strategic business insight, financial stewardship, and mentoring experience to Strong Start. His background supporting early-stage organizations and mission-driven initiatives strengthens Strong Start’s operational and fiscal oversight.

Board Secretary

Taffini Trimberger

Former Elementary Educator

Taffini brings firsthand classroom experience and a deep understanding of early childhood development to Strong Start’s governance, ensuring early readiness efforts remain grounded in the realities of classrooms and families.

Advisors

David EvansKristin HindsJoey JenkinsJeff Rosen