Mihaela Ionescu

Mihaela Ionescu is the Program Director at the International Step by Step Association (ISSA), where she leverages her three decades of expertise in early childhood to advance high-quality, equitable services across Europe and Central Asia. With a BA in Education Sciences, an MA in Management and School Administration, and a Doctorate in Education Sciences from the University of Psychology and Education Sciences in Bucharest, Mihaela’s career is marked by diverse roles, including teacher, trainers, researcher, education policy developer and international consultant. At ISSA, Mihaela is at the forefront of strategic program development and implementation. Her work connects policy, research, and practice, utilizing global, regional, and country-specific evidence to influence policies and improve daily practices in early childhood services.