Quality early care and education is an essential two-generation resource for national, state and local economies. Early care and education professionals allow families the opportunity to participate in the workforce and achieve self-sufficiency while also providing safe, learning-rich environments that lay the foundation for children's school and life success. This report identifies primary characteristics of professionals who identify as leaders of early care and education centers and preschools and their working environments. Included with research results are recommendations that aim to support leaders as they manage change and lead improvements to the quality, access and affordability of their critical services for families, young children and their communities. (author abstract)