Dalhia Lloyd, Ph.D.

Dalhia Lloyd is director of strategic innovation in early learning at the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. In her role, she leads forward-thinking initiatives that blend applied research, emerging technology, and community partnerships to improve early learning, support families, and strengthen educator practice. 

Lloyd joined the Institute in 2015 as a program specialist, overseeing family and community facilitators as part of the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan, and later was named associate director of professional learning. The Kansas native previously served as director of early childhood education services at the Child Saving Institute in Omaha. Earlier, she worked for Cedars Youth Services as program manager, developing and implementing training for early childhood staff.

Lloyd earned a Ph.D. in human sciences with a specialization in child development and early childhood education from the University of Nebraska ̶ Lincoln, where she also earned a bachelor's degree in family science. She has a master’s degree in early childhood studies from Walden University.