Advancing Early Childhood Workforce Development and Professional Excellence
Cassie Hulse is the Director of the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education (OCCD) at Portland State University, where she leads statewide initiatives that strengthen the early childhood and school-age workforce through professional development, education, and workforce supports. With over 20 years of experience in early childhood workforce systems, Cassie brings expertise in organizational leadership, grant and contract administration, and cross-sector collaboration. Her work focuses on strengthening professional pathways, expanding access to learning and financial supports, and advancing the quality and sustainability of Oregon's early childhood workforce.
At OCCD, Cassie provides strategic and operational leadership for a statewide professional infrastructure that includes the Oregon Registry, trainer and training systems, and scholarship programs. She works in partnership with state agencies, higher education, and community organizations to advance initiatives that support educator competency and career advancement. Prior to joining OCCD, Cassie held leadership roles in Alaska, contributing to statewide workforce development initiatives, the Alaska System for Early Education Development (SEED) strategic plan, and revisions to the Alaska Early Learning Guidelines.
Cassie serves on the board of the National Workforce Registry Alliance (NWRA), contributing to national conversations and collaborative efforts focused on strengthening workforce Registries and professional development systems. She is committed to building accessible, equitable, and sustainable pathways that recognize the expertise of early childhood professionals and support positive outcomes for children and families.