Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. Names Nicole Blais 2026 Leader of the Year
SPRINGFIELD — Nicole Blais, CEO of Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield (HCS) Head Start, has been named the 2026 Leader of the Year by the Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. (MHSA). This recognition honors her decades of leadership, commitment, and impact on children, families, and the broader Head Start community.
In sharing the announcement, the Massachusetts Head Start Assoc. recognized Blais for her more than 30 years of service to HCS Head Start. Her career reflects both deep dedication and a powerful full-circle journey, having once been a Head Start child herself. Today, she leads the very organization that helped shape her early years, embodying the mission and long-term impact of Head Start programs.
“Nicole exemplifies what Head Start stands for,” the MHSA stated in its announcement. “Her leadership has had a transformative impact on her program, her staff, and the families she serves. Congratulations to Nicole on this well-deserved recognition.”
Blais began her professional journey with HCS Head Start in 1996 as a parent education and support specialist. In this role, she focused on strengthening family engagement and ensuring program standards were upheld. Over the years, she expanded her impact by developing family-focused initiatives, leading teams, and representing Head Start programs across Massachusetts and at national conferences.
In 2012, she stepped into the role of director of Community Engagement, where she spent a decade building partnerships with community organizations, media, and public leaders. Her work strengthened connections between Head Start and the communities it serves, helping to expand awareness and access to critical early childhood services.
In 2021, Blais was named CEO following the retirement of longtime leader Janis Santos. Since then, she has continued to guide the organization with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and a strong commitment to children and families across Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield.
Her leadership extends beyond her organization as well. She currently serves on the New England Head Start Assoc. board of directors, supporting Head Start programs located throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Prior to this appointment, Blais also served multiple terms on the MHSA board of directors, advocating for policies and practices that strengthen Head Start programs statewide.
Blais is proud to additionally serve the community as a Springfield Regional Chamber ambassador and Holyoke Rotary Club member. She attended the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and conducted her graduate studies in nonprofit management & philanthropy at Bay Path University.