“Education changed the trajectory of my life. Education gave me the confidence to demand justice and equality. Education pushed me to constantly challenge myself and never stop seeking knowledge!”
Maisha Cole
Maisha Cole is the Executive Director of the Child Care Law Center, a leading legal advocacy organization dedicated to making child care a civil right. A passionate advocate for equity in early childhood education, Maisha brings over a decade of experience in legal and legislative advocacy to her role, along with a deep commitment to families, providers, and communities most impacted by systemic injustice.
Maisha first joined the Child Care Law Center in 2013 as a staff attorney and steadily rose through the ranks—becoming Co-Director of Legal and Legislative Advocacy in 2020, Deputy Director in 2023, and now Executive Director. Over the years, she has been instrumental in advancing housing justice and providing legal rights training to thousands of community members, helping families and child care providers understand and assert their rights.
Her leadership is grounded in community connection, cross-sector collaboration, and a belief in child care as a catalyst for opportunity and justice.
A graduate of UC Berkeley and UC College of the Law, San Francisco, Maisha is an expert in disability rights, housing, and estate planning. She has extensive experience working within legal aid and public interest sectors across California.
Maisha is also the proud parent of two teenagers—her greatest teachers in resilience, joy, and advocacy. She brings this perspective into every room, driving forward policies and practices that center children, caregivers, and equity at the core.
