CHICAGO (June 4, 2026) — More than 500 civic, philanthropic, business and education leaders gathered Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for Start Early’s 24th Annual Luncheon, a record-setting event that raised more than $3.3 million to support early learning and care, advocacy and systems-building efforts to ensure every child receives the best start in school and life.
This year’s theme, “The Power of Starting Early: One Child. One Family. One Community at a Time.” reflected how high-quality early learning and care should be a public good—and are essential to children’s healthy beginnings, thriving families and strong communities.
The luncheon marked a significant leadership moment for the organization, serving as Diana Rauner’s final luncheon as president of Start Early and included a special proclamation from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker recognizing Diana Rauner’s decades of leadership advancing early childhood education and home visiting in Illinois.
The proclamation highlighted her role in strengthening statewide early childhood systems, expanding access to family supports and helping position Illinois as a national leader in home visiting and early childhood policy.
“This work has always been a calling for me,” said Diana Rauner, president of Start Early. “We know how to give every child in America the kind of early experiences that will help shape them into healthy, productive adults. We must move early learning and care from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘have to have’ by mobilizing public sentiment to create political will.”
The program was co-chaired by philanthropist Helen Zell and former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. A fireside conversation between Diana Rauner and Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, explored the importance of movement-building to create lasting impact.
Helen Zell, who has been a champion of Start Early for more than 30 years, reflected on the organization’s evolution from a small community-based effort into a nationally recognized early childhood leader.
“Diana’s leadership propelled Start Early to become the “go-to” organization nationally-the place people turn to seek expertise, clarity and guidance to effect change locally,” Zell shared during the program.
In her conversation with Watts, Diana Rauner emphasized the importance of building sustained public will around early childhood issues and creating systems that support families long before they reach moments of crisis.
The luncheon also introduced attendees to Celena Sarillo, who succeeds Rauner as Start Early’s next president.
This year’s record fundraising total highlights the civic and philanthropic commitment to ensuring every child has healthy beginnings and brighter futures through access to high-quality early learning experiences.
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