Abigail Sylvester is managing director on the Start Early Consulting team, leading strategy, systems, and partnership development for the consulting practice, which supports state and community government leaders and advocates to build high-quality, equitable, and sustainable early childhood systems. Abigail joined Start Early in 2012 and has worked on many program and professional development initiatives across the country, partnering with state and local early childhood constituents.

Prior to joining Start Early, Abigail served as a Pew State Policy Leadership Fellow in Washington, D.C. She worked in refugee services and international development sectors in the Middle East and North Africa. She holds a Master of Public Policy from Duke University and a B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. She is the co-founder and former Board President of Refugees Thrive International. Abigail calls Durham, NC home where she lives with her husband and two young children.