As an Associate Director of Research and Policy, Anna’s research focuses on early care and education systems in California, including the California Early Care and Education Workforce Study and the California Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care Study. Anna began her career as an early childhood teacher and nonprofit program manager in Washington, DC. To better support students, parents, and fellow educators, she returned home to the Bay Area to study public policy, eventually coming to CSCCE after working in county offices of education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Princeton University and a master’s degree in Public Policy from the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. Anna is also a classically trained soprano and rock band vocalist.
Publications by Anna Powell
Child Care Centers Compete With California’s $20 Fast Food Wage
February 6, 2026 • Data Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi and Abby Copeman Petig
This profile draws on data gathered as part of the 2025 California Early Care and Workforce Study with funding from the California Department of Social Services, the Heising-Simons Foundation, the…
California’s Early Care and Education Workforce in Eight Charts
November 20, 2025 • Data Snapshot • By Anna Powell and Wanzi Muruvi
This snapshot is drawn from our report, State of the Early Care and Education Workforce, which provides a look at the professionals who work in family child care homes, child…
The Early Care and Education Workforce of San Diego County
November 1, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin, Abby Copeman Petig and Merzela Casimir
This report was generously funded by the YMCA of San Diego County, San Diego County Child Care and Development Local Planning Council, the UPK Mixed Delivery Planning Grant, and the…
State of the Early Care and Education Workforce – California
October 15, 2025 • Report • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
This profile draws on data gathered in the 2025 California Early Care and Workforce Study, with funding from the Heising-Simons Foundation, Blue Shield of California…
State of the Early Care and Education Workforce – Ventura County, 2025
October 15, 2025 • Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
The 2025 California Early Care and Education Workforce Study was funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Thank you to the…
State of the Early Education Workforce – Butte County, 2025
October 15, 2025 • Snapshot • By Anna Powell, Wanzi Muruvi, Lea J.E. Austin and Abby Copeman Petig
The 2025 California Early Care and Education Workforce Study was funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Thank you to the…