As a Clinical Social Worker, with a Master’s in Social Work from The Catholic University of America, I have devoted my career to helping children and families thrive. For over 30 years, I have worked as a family therapist, specializing in supporting families with very young children. In 2010, I established Thrive Under 5 LLC, an independent therapy practice dedicated to helping parents and children develop strong, supportive, and nurturing relationships. Through my work as a child and family therapist, I recognize that many parents benefit from guidance in understanding the “why” behind their children’s actions, as well as strategies to foster positive interactions and manage challenges effectively. I see the importance of providing young families with a supportive network by connecting them to other parents and professional resources within the community. I also see many families struggling to find those connections. This awareness prompted the development of The Yellow School House, a program specifically designed to meet the needs of families with very young children.

I grew up outside Philadelphia and moved to Loudoun County in 1991. Inspired by how much joy my nieces and nephews brought to residents at my grandmother’s nursing home, I came up with the idea of pairing eager young learners with elder volunteers in multigenerational programs. In 2007, I piloted an intergenerational reading program at my grandmother’s nursing home, and All Ages Read Together was born. I served as its first teacher and later as President until 2016. Before starting AART, I worked as a preschool educator for nearly 20 years. Today, I stay active as a volunteer with the Area Agency on Aging and Loudoun Volunteer Caregivers, where I also serve on the Board of Directors. A lover of books, of course I have dozens of favorites. If I had to choose one, it would be the fabulously illustrated Piggies by Audrey Wood and Don Wood. My interest in The Yellow School House is much like my going from elementary education to preschool. As we learn more about the growth and learning patterns of babies and young children, I believe it is important to try and give parents, families and caregivers the resources they need to be successful.

I am an occupational therapist, educator, and women’s health advocate dedicated to supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. I founded Maternal Milestones, a private practice focused on perinatal and pelvic health, where I offer birth preparation, fitness coaching, postpartum recovery, and pelvic floor therapy. My work is driven by a passion for maternal mental health and by the gaps I’ve seen in care during the transition into motherhood. I’m committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive support grounded in clinical expertise, community connection, and a desire to help women feel seen and empowered. I hold a doctorate in occupational therapy and serve as an assistant professor and doctoral capstone coordinator at Shenandoah University. I also practice in hospital settings with individuals across the lifespan. Across all of my work, I strive to offer holistic, person-centered care within a supportive community.

I earned a degree in Biology from James Madison University and a Master’s in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of North Dakota. While in graduate school, I discovered a love for teaching, working with undergrad nursing and premed students, and later shared science with younger learners at a K-8 school and The Discovery Museum. I thrive on meeting people and collaborating, which has allowed me to partner with many local nonprofits, businesses, and agencies in Winchester. These include Winchester Medical Center, The Chamber of Commerce, Old Towne Winchester, The Discovery Museum, and Winchester Public Schools. In my spare time, I enjoy reading or listening to books, planning adventures with my family, and spending quality time with friends. I also absolutely LOVE coffee and have been teaching myself barista skills over the past few years—a hobby that brings me great joy! I come from a military family but have called Winchester home for 11 years. As a proud mom to five kids, ages 1 to 13, I’m passionate about creating opportunities that make our community a great place for families.

I am the founder and owner of Soulshine Medicine, a business dedicated to supporting the well-being of individuals at all stages of life through the subtle yet profound practices of yoga. My journey led me to Rishikesh, India, where I immersed myself in the study of yoga and gained a deep understanding of how it can truly live within us, shaping the way we move through life. I share these practices both independently and alongside my other passions as a Doula and Certified Childbirth Educator (CCE). From a young age, I have known that “Mother” is my title—mothering is my birthright and the foundation of how I live. Since I began babysitting at 12, nurturing children as if they were my own has always come naturally. Learning and growing alongside fellow maidens, mothers, and children is an integral part of who I am. Mothers and children are the future of our society. To help strengthen and support this vital foundation, I have joined The Yellow School House to further cultivate this community—because without community, our society cannot thrive.

I recently relocated to Winchester from Nederland, Colorado, where I was an active and committed advocate for nonprofit causes. I hold a Master of Nonprofit Management from Regis University and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University. My career has been shaped by a deep commitment to building meaningful community connections and fostering sustainable growth within nonprofit organizations. Outside of work, I’m an avid skier and love taking family camping trips, always on the lookout for the next outdoor adventure. As a mom to a toddler, with another little one on the way, my own lived experience fuels my passion for supporting and collaborating with parents of young children. I see tremendous value in the mission of YSH and am excited to contribute in any way I can.

I have more than a decade of experience working with children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Originally from Clarke County, VA, I now reside in Winchester with my wife and two sons. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, and I am nationally board-certified and licensed to practice in Virginia. As the co-founder of Pathway Pioneers, I focus on providing therapeutic support in natural environments, with specialized training in pediatric feeding and primitive reflex integration. I also deliver school-based occupational therapy within local public schools. I am pleased to serve as a board member of the Yellow School House, where I look forward to supporting its mission of strengthening families and fostering healthy child development.

As the owner of Local Klicks, one of Winchester’s top-rated marketing agencies, I’ve built my work around helping businesses and organizations strengthen their online presence and communicate more effectively. I focus on creating marketing systems that make things easier, clearer, and more impactful, whether that’s through better design, better messaging, or better digital strategy.

Bringing that experience to The Yellow School House is something I’m truly proud of. I want our website and digital tools to feel welcoming, easy to navigate, and genuinely helpful for the families who rely on them. My goal is to take the same level of quality and attention to detail that I’m known for at Local Klicks and use it to support the mission of YSH, helping the organization grow, connect with more families, and make resources easier to find.

I am a recently retired nonprofit leader, lifelong advocate for families, and first-time published author. I served as Executive Director of Family Strengths Network (FSN), where I oversaw organizational operations, led program delivery, directed the Family Resource Center and its libraries, and served as a key community liaison. My work reflects more than 30 years of experience in social services, education, and program management.

As a firm believer in servant leadership, I am passionate about leading, mentoring, and collaborating to make a meaningful difference. I believe communities are strengthened when people actively serve one another.

I am a proud mother of three adult daughters, grandmother to four, and have been married to my husband, Mike, for over 30 years. I am also the author of Lucy Ann’s Chair, a long-awaited project that fulfills my dream of becoming a published writer.

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring nature, reading, and writing. I’m excited to serve on the board because The Yellow School House helps address the often-overlooked isolation of families with young children by fostering meaningful peer connection and support. Whether through leadership, service, or storytelling, I remain deeply committed to bettering the world one family at a time.