Melanie Linn Gutowski

Melanie Linn Gutowski, Savvy Auntie's Associate Editor, is a freelance writer and editor from Pittsburgh, Pa.  She is also an avid francophile and Gilded Age historian.

Though she wears many hats in life, among her favorite roles are those of Godmother to Elizabeth Ann and Auntie By Choice to Emmy and Duncan.

Lisa Kothari

Specializing in kids' parties, Lisa has based her ambition on helping parents throw the best party for their children without the added stress that planning a party often creates.

In the past ten years Lisa has organized hundreds of parties for children of different ages using a vast array of inventive themes, in Washington D.C., New York City, and Seattle.

Her main party planning belief is that no matter the budget or amount of time a parent has, an incredible party can always be thrown, keeping children cheerful and parents (and Aunties!) stress-free during their wonderfully planned celebration!

Her passion is helping people achieve this with minimal time and effort. Lisa is the founder of Peppersandpollywogs.com.

Karen Gallagher

After fourteen years in benefits management and consulting, Karen made a radical change in her career by starting her own business. The Lollipop Book Club specializes in the gift of high quality books as a way for friends and relatives to connect with children.

Karen has harbored a passion for children’s books her entire life, from the classics she remembers reading as a child herself to newly released titles she enjoys sharing with her own children and nephews, and everything in between.  When the concept of The Lollipop Book Club took form, Karen spent two years researching the best children’s books on the market, which is a continuous task as new books are written, new authors are published, and new awards are granted.

Through her business, she thoroughly enjoys bringing adults and children together with the amazing books for children she has discovered.  Whether her customers want to share a giggle with a child, address a specific topic like adoption or bullying, or simply want to cultivate a love for reading, Karen helps to make this happen every day.

Karen earned her Bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and her MBA from Rider University.  She resides in Yardley, PA with her husband and three children.

 

Jeff Cutler

Striving for the title of "Favorite Uncle," Jeff uses gifts, event tickets and personal attention to influence and softly brainwash his five nieces and nephews into unabashed admiration and awe.

A graduate of Northeastern University's School of Journalism, Jeff is spending 2008 on a writing sabbatical. During this sabbatical, Jeff is creating Web content for his online journals - jeffcutler.com, bowlofcheese.com, thingstoworryabout.com - and is contributing columns and articles to news organizations and consumer magazines.

Jeff is the author of Mountain Bike America: Boston (2000, Globe-Pequot Press) and he writes from his bungalow just south of Boston, MA.

Rhonda Davis

Rhonda Davis, a speech and language pathologist with a private practice in New York City, has been working with children since she received her Master’s Degree from Montclair State College in 1991. In her work, Rhonda specializes in children who are having academic difficulties due to underlying language weaknesses. Her approach is family-centered and highly individualized. Rhonda is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association, the International Dyslexia Society, and the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology. Rhonda may be reached at Rhonda@speechlanguagenyc.com.

Natalie Robinson Garfield

Natalie Robinson Garfield has been a practicing Psychotherapist in New York City and Long Island for thirty years, specializing in parent-child education.  Holding a degree in Infant and Toddler development and administration, Garfield has had an extensive career working in individual, couple, family and group therapy.  THE SENSE CONNECTION, based on the theory of sense channel hierarchy, draws on her experience working with private patients and conducting large conferences, discussion groups and workshops.  Additionally, Garfield has studied Jungian analysis, existential psychotherapy, focusing, meditation and breathing techniques, and sleeping techniques.

Garfield was part of the New Age movement in the 1970s, working with The Association for Humanistic Psychology, which sought to move toward a more aware and humane global society. She also designed and directed various programs within the Children’s Aid Society, which provided education for families about subjects ranging from childbirth preparation through parenting.  Garfield has also served on the United Nations Commission for the International Year of the Child, bringing awareness to problems such as malnutrition and lack of educational access, affecting children around the world.  
 
She has had over forty years experience as a consultant, supervising and training staff for various institutions, including AT&T, American Express, The Gesell Institute for Child Development, The Montefiore Medical Residency Program, The Gestalt Learning Center, and the Kings County District Attorney’s office.  

Garfield is a founding member of the Association for Parent Education and is a featured expert on various television documentaries, network news and radio shows, such as WYNY, CBS Documentary, CBS Evening News, Current Affair Extra, and ABC Eyewitness News.  She is also frequently interviewed by news media such as New York Magazine, Self, Working Woman, Cosmopolitan and Parents Magazine.  She lives and works in New York City.

Stephanie Lichten

I always knew I’d become a pediatrician, although I never knew I’d take the exact route I did to get here. I completed my bachelors at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and then moved to Chicago for medical school to study at Rush Medical College.  There I focused my energy on pediatrics and was fortunate enough to move to New York for residency at Jacobi Medical Center, in the Bronx.  At Jacobi, I fulfilled my three years of residency requirement and was offered the Chief Resident position. Following, they asked me to stay on as faculty as pediatric hospitalist.

Working in the inner city has afforded me a wonderful opportunity to see a variety of diseases, help where it is needed most, and really make a difference in children’s lives.  In addition I am able to teach residents every day.  But not only am I board certified pediatrician, I am a Savvy Auntie to my brother’s three most amazing children, and several very close friends’ children.  Unfortunately, they all live out of town, which isn’t surprising since I’m not a native New Yorker, but I am able to visit frequently.

Please feel free to ask many pediatric questions as you may have - I know my friends and family always do!  Just add your questions to the Comments section below my articles. Please remember: no question is a stupid question!

Jeannine Mercurio

Jeannine Mercurio, MS, is a Counseling Astrologer who specializes in helping individuals achieve their goals in relationships, health and work. She holds a BA in the Classics from New York University, a MS in Education from Hunter College, and has completed coursework in the MA program in Counseling Psychology at New York University. She is a certified yoga teacher and has been a NYC teacher and choreographer for K-12.  She is a member of the NCGR, C.G. Jungian Institute of New York and American Counseling Association.  She is a contributing writer to Constellation Magazine and is presently studying Mythology and Writing at the New School. She has completed coursework in Depth Psychology under James Hillman at Pacifica Graduate Institute.  She has participated in Bereavement Care Trainings at Long Island University and has assisted workshops on Grief and Traumatic Loss at Family Victims of Homicide Program in NY.

For astrology readings, Jeannine can be reached at 917.533.4683 or email JeannineM@earthlink.net.

Julie Negrin

Julie Negrin, MS, is a certified nutritionist with a passion for teaching people how to cook their way to better health and the proud auntie of Josh and Daniel (ages 6 and 3) and Gabriella and Meital (ages 5 and 2). During her ten years as a nutritionist and culinary expert, she has taught hundreds of children and adults how to cook nutritious, mouthwatering meals. Julie discovered how natural it is to introduce kids to healthful food through cooking and enjoys watching her young students transform into mini epicures. She has developed many family-friendly recipes for kids that use a wide range of fresh ingredients and are easy for little fingers to prepare.

Julie's work has been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio programs and on CBS Nightly News with Katie Couric. She has been a guest chef at Williams-Sonoma, on NY1, and with Al Roker on The Today Show.

Learn more about Julie at www.julienegrin.com

Beth Rosenberg

Beth Rosenberg is an education consultant in New York City who specializes in projects related to special needs, art and technology.  She is an adjunct professor at two universities in NYC and has consulted for numerous organizations including: The JCC-Manhattan, The Builders Association, The Rockwell Group, International Curators Incorporated, The New York City Department of Education, etc.  She previously held education and publication staff positions at Eyebeam, an art and technology center in NYC and The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

Beth is the mom of two school-age children—one who has special needs. She can be reached at bbethr@gmail.com

Jeff Stier

Jeff Stier is the Associate Director of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH). He is responsible for external affairs, including media and government relations, policy, legal affairs and development. ACSH is a not-for-profit, public health, consumer advocacy organization dedicated to promoting sound science in public health.

Since joining ACSH in 1997, Mr. Stier has represented ACSH on World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, the Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, and CNBC, as well as dozens of talk radio shows, and in the Associated Press, Reuters, United Press International, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsweek, the New York Post, The Washington Times, the New York Daily News and other major publications.

Before moving to New York, Mr. Stier worked for the Jewish Policy Center in Washington, DC, where he focused on domestic policy issues.

Mr. Stier also worked both in the office of the Mayor and in Corporation Counsel's office in the Giuliani administration in New York City. His responsibilities included planning environmental agency programs, legal analysis of proposed legislation, and health policy.

Mr. Stier was also a volunteer tutor at the Union College Readiness Program for underprivileged students in East Harlem.

While earning his law degree at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Mr. Stier served two terms as Editor-In-Chief of the Cardozo Law Forum, the official student newspaper.

Dr. Michelle Zweifler

Dr. Michelle Zweifler is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and General Surgeon specializing in facial rejuvenation as well as breast and body contouring. After successfully completing an Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Fellowship with John Q. Owsley, M.D., Dr. Zweifler established her plastic surgery practice in New York City. She is on the staff at the prestigious Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital.

During her medical training, Dr. Zweifler received numerous honors and awards including the Samuel L. Kountz Award for Clinical Excellence in Surgery and the John O. Vieta Award for Professional Excellence and Compassionate Care. Dr. Zweifler strives to achieve each patient's satisfaction and is truly committed and dedicated to excellent cosmetic results.

Engaged with the most important issues in plastic surgery today, Dr. Zweifler regularly attends numerous medical seminars. Her professional papers have been published in scientific journals including Annals of Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Surgical Endoscopy. She is a member of many professional societies at the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Zweifler has also been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, New York Post, WCBS, CNN, The Today Show, Fox News, Eyewitness News 7, WB11, CNN Headline News and NY1. Additionally, Dr. Zweifler is included in Castle Connolly's America's Cosmetic Doctors and Dentists.

"I truly enjoy the specialty of plastic surgery, from the initial consultation to the technical aspects to the rewards of enhancing your appearance." You can learn more about Dr. Zweifler here: http://www.drzweifler.com/
 

Savvy Auntie Kids Band

Sharon Wolfe on vocals, Matt Leshetz on percussion and Steve Antosofsky on piano, make up the Savvy Auntie Kids Band!

Darlynn Morgan

Darlynn has her own law practice, Morgan Law Group, in Newport Beach. She is also a Personal Family Lawyer™ with the Family Wealth Planning Institute, an organization whose mission is to teach parents (and aunties!) how to prepare the children they love to receive wealth and use that wealth to positively impact the world.

Darlynn makes it easy for families to talk about and plan for tough subjects like money, death and taxes.  Darlynn is a savvy auntie herself, and loves her “nephs” Jacob and Andrew.  So she understands the importance of making sure that aunts do what they can to protect the children they love as well as plan ahead for themselves, both legally and financially.

She has received all kinds of awards including recognition as a Super Lawyer in Los Angeles Magazine, and as one of Orange County’s “Top 40 Business Professionals Under 40” in 2009.

Darlynn lives in southern California with her husband Gary and Max, their king charles cavalier.  She spends most holidays, vacations, and many weekends with the nephews.

Cynthia Kane

Cynthia Blair Kane is a new aunt who received her BA from Bard College and MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. She has worked with Michael Gross, New York Times best-selling author, on 740 Park: The Story of the World's Richest Apartment Building. She is the former Senior Editor of two literary magazines, A Gathering of the Tribes and Lumina, and the former Marketing Director for Barbara Probst Solomon’s literary magazine, The Reading Room. She is currently a Developmental Editor with Manning Publications and Editor-in-Chief for MAP Magazine. She is also a regular blogger for the Jerusalem Post.

Her writing has appeared in Pregnancy magazine, Yoga Journal, Bridal Guide Magazine, The Columbus Dispatch, The Independent, Long Island City’s Ins & Outs magazine, Country Comfort magazine, City Smart magazine, Northeast Book Review, The New Standard, InMadrid, Recessionwire, and MAP Magazine. Her short story “Curly” appeared in the anthology Submerged: Tales from the Basin (2008). Cynthia has also written two novels, Class President and Who Knows Jordan Stein? for which she is currently seeking representation. And Cynthia is currently writing a hiking guide about Madrid. Her personal website, which is being revamped, is www.cynthiakane.com.

Marlene Wallach

Marlene Wallach, President of Wilhelmina Kids and Teens is the author of the My Tween Lifestyle Collection of books published by Simon & Schuster released in August 2009 – MY SELF, MY LIFE, MY LOOK and MY BEAUTY.  At the core of these books is the message empowering girls to find their unique beauty and have it shine from the inside out. In conjunction with Marlene’s Book Collection, she created the JAM website www.justaskmarlene.com, a content rich and safe website and community where young teens/tweens can celebrate what makes them unique.  “If one thing from one of my books helps one girl through the bumpy road of adolescence, the world is changed forever” says Marlene.
 

Stacie Krajchir

Stacie Krajchir is the founder and creator of The Bungalow PR, a fashion, and beauty and lifestyle public relations firm based in Los Angeles.

Stacie is auntie to 3 ½ year old Jack (future Dodgers starting Pitcher  2026) and delicious one year old Cole Riley  (future Ladies Man).  Her BFF, fellow Auntie and shopping, mani-pedi partner in crime is Karen.

Stacie worked as a television producer for 12 years. Her experience ranges from working morning TV to producing an Emmy winning consumer and cooking show at NBC in San Francisco. In 2000 she moved to Los Angeles, as a producer at Extra where produced all the style, fashion and beauty segments as well as celebrity interviews and spend many nights on the red carpet. Stacie launched two shows for The Style Network: You're Invited a home entertaining show and Area a home design show.

Chronicle Books published Stacie's first two books in 2003; she is currently working on a super cool kids book. She is a contributing lifestyle/trend expert and has been featured in The Washington Post, New York Times, Smart Money Magazine, CNN, Pink, Real Simple, Maxim, Esquire and Vanity Fair magazines. Stacie is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and a consulting producer on coolmom.com.

Having been born and raised on the very small island of Guam she is an island girl through and though-- Stacie was an auntie as early as age 9 to her younger cousins and has learned everything from her own amazing aunties!
 
Stacie is a painter; her work can be viewed here.  In 2007 she launched The See and Sprout Project, a creative collective, international exchange art workshop for youth in Khao Lak Thailand affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami. She is currently teaching Jack and Cole to love the surf.

Stacy Francis

Stacy Francis is a certified financial planner, a nationally recognized media expert, speaker and author of the upcoming book The New Formula for Financial Success:  Bounce Back and Gain Control Over Your Financial Future!  Her firm, Francis Financial, Inc. is an independent, fee-only firm that provides comprehensive financial planning services.  Stacy is also the founder of Savvy Ladies, a 20,000-plus non-profit educational organization established to empower women to take control of their finances and achieve more rich and rewarding lives. 

A faculty member of NYU, Stacy teaches financial courses as part of the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies.  As a nationally recognized expert on finance, Stacy appears regularly on CNBC, CNN, Nightly Business Report, NPR, Oprah and Friends and The Today Show and has been quoted in over 100 publications such as Business Week, CNN, Dow Jones, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Glamour, Investment News, Money Magazine, MSN, Newsweek, New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Women’s Day.  Stacy is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™) and has completed specialized training in the financial issues of divorce.  Stacy is a dynamic speaker who has taught hundreds of classes and workshops and has shared the platform with some of the top speakers in the country including Suze Orman and Jean Chatzky. She has helped thousands of clients nationwide create more fulfilling lives through financial freedom. 

Jared Matthew Weiss

Jared Matthew Weiss counsels women and men of all ages on his personal brand of self-improvement called, “Help-Self,” which tackles everyday lifestyle issues such as fitness, fashion, relationships, sex, and career.  He also does private seminars for companies and groups on topics such as: The Importance of Perspective, How to Love Your Self, and Building Relationships That Last.

Jared has been featured as the exclusive life stylist for Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style on Bravo, The Tyra Show, and currently writes a monthly column for Shape magazine.

Jared's blog can be found @ TheProfessionalFriend.com.

Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer

NaturallySavvy.com is a website dedicated to living a natural, organic and green lifestyle. As co-founders, Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer, are passionate about living a naturally healthy lifestyle and educating others on its benefits. As Aunties, Andrea and Randy know the importance of raising healthy children. Andrea has four nieces and three nephews and Randy has three nephews and one niece. To reach Andrea and Randy, or to read more, visit www.NaturallySavvy.com.

Melina Gerosa Bellows

Melina Gerosa Bellows is the Chief Creative Officer for Kids and Family, Digital Media, for National Geographic.

Formerly the Executive Vice President of Children’s Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Kids, Bellows redesigned and re-launched Kids, the fastest growing children’s publication. She launched the magazine National Geographic Little Kids for preschoolers and their parents, which has a circulation of 200,000. In addition, she revamped the feel of National Geographic’s books for kids.

Previously, Bellows was a Senior Editor at Ladies’ Home Journal magazine, where she wrote and negotiated the monthly celebrity cover stories. Her subjects included Oprah Winfrey, Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster and Michelle Pfeiffer, among others.

Bellows has also been a staff writer for Entertainment Weekly and Premiere magazines, and has freelanced for The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Family Life, Family Circle, More, The Washingtonian, and Elle. Bellows is the author of the new Nat Geo Amazing!: 100 People, Places, and Things That Will Wow You.

She has written The Fun Book (Simon & Schuster, 1998), The Fun Book for Couples (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2003), the novel Wish (New American Library, 2005) The Fun Book for Moms (Andrews McMeel, 2007), and next year’s edition of The Fun Book for Friends (Andrew McMeel, 2009).

She has appeared on such television shows as “The Today Show,” “CNN,” “The View,” “Good Day New York,” “Fox and Friends,” and most recently, “The Today Show”.

A graduate of the Boston College’s Honors Program, Bellows lives in Washington, D.C. with her two children Chase and Mackenzie.

Stephanie Baffone

First and foremost, Stephanie is proud "Aunt Steph" to 38 by relation and 10 by choice.  Her nieces and nephews bring love and laughter into her life in ways that transcend words!

Professionally, Stephanie is a licensed, board certified mental health therapist, in private practice and a writer currently working on her memoir, Doris, Sophia and Me: A Memoir About My Mother Who Didn't Live Long Enough and My Daughter Who Was Never Born.  She specializes in adolescent girls, grief and loss, relationship issues and couples dealing with infertility. Prior to her return into private practice, Stephanie was privileged to work as the coordinator of the children’s grief and loss program at the largest hospice in the state of Delaware, providing education and therapeutic support to children and their families facing the devastating loss of a loved one. Supporting her clients during the sacred process of death and dying she counts among her most transformative life experiences.

Passionately devoted to helping young girls learn the necessary skills to develop healthy, loving and mutually respectful relationships, Stephanie is tickled pink to be in the process of launching a website for young girls and the adult women in their lives on which she will share her whimsical, witty and wise insights on all things love and loss.  She fields lots of late night phone calls from her nieces in particular, seeking answers to questions like, "How come he didn't call me back?" and  "Should I text him?"  She loves questions and welcomes yours, so ask away!

She is a proud graduate of Villanova University, a member of The American Counseling Association, The National Board of Certified Counselors, National Assoc. of Social Workers, RESOLVE and American Fertility Association.  To contact Stephanie, you may email her at sbaffone@sbaffone.com or visit her personal blog at Stephanie's Stories. Stay tuned-website site under construction!

Leslie Stewart

Leslie Stewart is an expert on love and relationship, and has coached hundreds of individuals towards realizing their dreams.  Integrating over twelve years of corporate work, a degree in Psychology, training at the renown Coaches Training Institute, and her own self-discovery and life experiences – Leslie has created life-changing programs for women who are looking to reconnect with their authentic selves and create a bridge between their reality and their desires.   Visit Leslie at http://www.BeLoveSavvy.com.   Leslie lives in San Francisco with her great love and husband, Larry and 5 future dogs.

Kate Tedesco

As a freelance business and travel writer, Kate Tedesco has covered a range of topics as diverse as financial markets in Latin America, peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, and organic farms in Upstate New York.  She now works in wine, which affords her the time to focus on writing about one of her favorite subjects, her six nieces and nephews, and allows her the opportunity to perfect the drinking skills necessary to survive them.

Dr Leigh Vinocur

Dr. Leigh Vinocur is a board certified ER physician and medical broadcaster.  She currently serves as the Director for Strategic Initiatives at University of Maryland School of Medicine.

She started her broadcast career in 1998 as consultant and medical reporter for Baltimore’s NBC affiliate, WBAL TV and the NBC News Channel. A familiar voice on WBAL radio every Monday morning with Dave Durian, she also appears regularly on the national cable network the Fox News Channel. She has appeared on numerous other national media outlets as a medical expert, shows such as CNN’s House Calls and the Nancy Grace Show, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Inside Editions as well as ABC News and the CBS Early Show. She co-hosted a mini series on alternative medicine with Dr. Kevin Soden on Comcast’s Retirement Living Network.

According to Dr. Vinocur emergency medicine is really a microcosm of society as a whole.   “As an ER doctor I get to treat all the medical problems and social ills we see in modern life, problems related to obesity, smoking, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, mental illness and domestic violence, to name a few. The ER allows me to affect change one patient at a time but when I speak or write about these issues I get to affect a broader change!”

Amanda Goodwin

Nanny, Author, Advocate, Creator of Crazy Miracle

Amanda Goodwin, sometimes known as Miss Amanda, is 22 years old and lives in northeastern Ohio with her family.  She is mommy to her beautiful furbaby, Haylie Brooke Gianna Soleil.  Amanda is engaged to her love of 5 years - web-designer fiance, Jonathan, and she spends her days nannying for a beautiful family while working on her double major at Kent State University, comprised of BSN-RN nursing and Integrated Health Services.  Having a chronic illness since age 5, Amanda know's what it's like to be a child with life-long health obstacles and hopes to ultimately be an advocate for similar children after obtaining a masters degree.  In her spare time, she spends time with her "itty bitties," travels, reads, scrapbooks, and spends time with her friends, fiance, and family.

A friend of Amanda's mother had a daughter who grew up practically like a big sister to her, and when she had two little boys, it was only natural for Amanda to move into the Savvy Auntie role!  Now 3 and 6, she adores her little boys and they always come first in Miss Amanda's heart!  

Amanda is knowledgeable in childcare, tutoring, unique situations, health issues, and creating out-of-this-world amazing days for her kiddos.  She implements reading, art, play, and even infant sign language in the lives of her nephews and nanny children.  Obviously passionate about her nanny kiddos and nephews, she's been touted as "the best nanny ever!"  :)  She welcomes any questions you may have and is excited to share her experience with all of you.

Annelies Caseria

Annelies Caseria has a Master’s degree in Child Life from Bank Street College of Education.   She has worked as a Child Life Specialist at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.  Annelies has extensive experience working with and providing psychosocial support to hospitalized children, adolescents and their families.  As a Certified Child Life Specialist she works to ensure that children undergoing hospitalization for acute admissions, chronic illnesses and treatments are able to master their developmental milestones as well as process and cope with their reason for hospitalization. Additionally, she has provided bereavement support for families and siblings at funerals and at the hospital as well as to other patients who have lost their friends.

Annelies currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and 15 month old daughter, and their French bulldog.  She can be reached at anneliesr@yahoo.com

Scott Henderson

During his fourteen-year professional career, Scott has been a major gift fundraiser, foundation executive, magazine editor, marketing consultant, and president of a capital campaign firm. He cut his teeth during a major capital campaign at the University of Nebraska Foundation, later oversaw multiple capital campaigns as a consultant, and most recently served as cause marketing director for an interactive agency.

What makes him unique in the marketplace is that he has gone into the living rooms, kitchens, and front porches of influential people to obtain their financial and social support of cause initiatives.  From these experiences, he understands how cause-oriented endeavors succeed and fail. 

Today, he is principal of Rally the Cause Productions, a strategic consultancy specializing in cause marketing.  He helps corporations, non-profits, and marketing & communications agencies create and implement online and offline initiatives to achieve transformational growth. Recent accomplishments include the creation and launch of pledgetoendhunger.com, which helped Tyson Foods deliver 560,000 meals to four different cities for children in need, raised $28,000 for Share Our Strength, and assembled an army of nearly 5,000 childhood hunger awareness champions. ??

Scott is most famous for being married to Jennifer, his bride of eleven years, and father to Ethan, his eight-year-old son.  He is also “Uncle Scott” to eight nieces and nephews, who know him most for knee tickles and over-the-shoulder turnovers.  You can connect with him at his blog or on Twitter (@scottyhendo).

Margaret Bristol

Margaret Bristol is a freelance writer and editor.

After graduating from NYU with a Master's in Journalism, she went on to work in the editorial departments of Good Housekeeping and Quick & Simple. As a freelance writer, she has contributed to AOL, Metromix.com and other print and web publications.

When she's not writing, she's learning the ropes of aunt-hood with her niece, nephew and her best friend's children.

Janice Marie Simon

Janice Marie Simon, M.A., is a Project Director for Faculty Development at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Ms. Simon has worked as a newspaper journalist in Oklahoma and Texas and as a media coordinator for a public school district before joining M.D. Anderson. As a project director, she handles the planning for all of the department’s Faculty Development events and is a professional organizer. As an organizer, she makes presentations on organizing and time management and offers one-on-one organizing sessions for clients.

She is a Certified Professional Organizer® and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Visit her blog at www.theclutterprincess.com.

Andrew Vaché

Andrew is a 20 year old Sophomore at Northern Arizona University majoring in Secondary English Education. Born the oldest of four siblings (two of which are adopted cousins) in Glendale, Arizona, Andrew is an amateur blogger and writer of short stories. He has a passion for cell phone technology that keeps him busy trying out the newest toys whenever possible. Since he got his first cell phone,  he has been buying, selling and trading for something newer and more sophisticated. As a nephew to more than 15 aunts and uncles, he understands how difficult it is for them to see him grow into and adult and he has been doing everything he can to keep them in the loop with his ever-changing life.

Sarah Toscano

Sarah has been taking care of children since she was 10 years old. She started as a Mothers Helper, then a Babysitter, worked 3 years at a Preschool and made her career being a Nanny.

After her Sister left in October 2009, Sarah put her Nanny career on old and took over being ‘Mom’ and is now raising her Nephew and Niece, along with her boyfriend, Jeff, who works at an appraisal company and is Sarah’s rock.

Sarah is taking this new journey in life one day at a time. Being a SAHM to two school-aged children has been challenging but such a blessing. Sarah and Jeff plan to marry and have children of their own someday.

You can learn more about Sarah and her new little family by reading her blog; Twenty-Four Seven Auntie.

Stephanie Leigh Cion

Stephanie Cion, founder and CEO of WELLalarm, was working as a healthcare executive at Aetna when she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called CIDP in 2005.  Upon her recovery, Stephanie used her background in venture capital and medical technology to design and launch WELLalarm™.

Getting sick inspired her to launch a business.

Shortly after she started treatment she had a very scary and life-threatening experience; she had a severe adverse reaction to her first round of treatment while at her office. Had she not been on the phone with my oncologist at the time the reaction occurred she most likely would have collapsed and died as no one knew the extent of her condition - let alone how to help her.  What a wake up call!  She realized that she needed something that would speak for her in case she couldn't speak for herself. After much research, she came to the upsetting conclusion that there was no efficient way to communicate ones vital medical information whenever and wherever it is needed, not to mention the antiquated and unappealing medical jewelry offerings available on the market. WELLalarm is the first and only technologically sophisticated emergency alert system that combines the power of technology with modern, luxury ID jewelry and products to protect the lives of all children and the millions of people living with severe allergies and life threatening medical conditions.

Stephanie attended The Dalton School, The George Washington University and New York University’s graduate program for Healthcare Finance and Policy. Prior to attending graduate school at NYU, Stephanie worked in venture capital specializing in medical devices, wireless, and infrastructure technology and as an executive in enterprise strategy at Aetna. She serves as a member of the MIT Enterprise Forum of NYC for the past 3 years and has chaired a number of healthcare events for them. Stephanie has written a number of articles on healthcare technology and currently blogs and vlogs about relevant healthcare issues, the changing face of chronic illness, and the challenges of living with a chronic illness.  She has unparalleled expertise in the healthcare industry, and is committed to empowering consumers to take control of their health and wellness.

Today, Stephanie is on the other side of the acute portion of her illness and remains passionate about empowering people to take control of their health and wellness and giving them the peace of mind they deserve. She is extremely proud to say that WELLalarm has already saved lives and looks forward to saving many more.

Amy Shigo

Amy Shigo grew up around sports and although she imagined she'd be an Olympic-caliber kickball player, she didn't truly discover her athletic ability and the deep appreciation for participating in sports, games and fitness until her mid-thirties when she was already ten years into a sports journalism career.  Having interviewed the world's greatest athletes for ESPN, The National Hockey League and Oxygen Sports, she heard many inspiring and motivational stories, but it was the encouragement and belief of one person that got her "in the game."  She is not great at anything, some days she's not even good, but she is willing to try and has found happiness in the effort and strength in knowing what her body can do.  

She is a 4-time Ironman finisher, has run marathons and half-marathons all over the world and climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Her next goal - mastering the monkey bars!  Join her for some "Big Fun" and let's play...All Sorts of Sports!

J.L. Knopp

J.L Knopp is a freelance writer and blogger and an "auntie" to thirteen, including a set of twins and a precious special-needs godson.  She also spent two years mentoring teens and leading a youth program in the Shenandoah Valley before beginning her journey as Mom to three of her own precocious children.  Although she received her BA in music and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Eastern University in 1998, J.L. has acquired most of her expertise from instruction in the School of Hard Knocks.  These powerful lessons, in conjunction with the children that love her, have taught her that laughter really is the best medicine for some of the curve balls that life throws at all of us.
 
In her freetime, J.L. enjoys blogging about her penchant for Mickey Mouse and her hilarious mission to indoctrinate her loved ones into Disney culture.  Bringing laughter and tears alike to her readers, her website -- thedisneydrivenlife.com -- not only allows fellow Disneyphiles to come along for the rollercoaster ride of her life but also organize themselves in solidarity.  And J.L. is always on the lookout for more NDAs (Neurotic Disney Aunties) to join the ranks of her growing community.

Fertility Ties

FertilityTies.com is an online community devoted to providing support, tools, medical information, and guidance needed for those trying to conceive and/or going through infertility.

FertilityTies.com was created as a place to share your knowledge and experience with others, learn from experts and members alike, and most importantly, find support from those who have experienced the joys of childbirth and from those who have faced similar difficulties trying to get there. We are very excited to empower you with information.

What is FertilityTies.com?
A Community For Everyone:
A place where you can talk about anything you want regardless of your gender, religious beliefs and/or sexual preference. Everyone here shares the same goal of wanting a family.
24/7/365 Support Center:
At any time of the day or night, you can log in to FertilityTies.com and chat with other members for support, post your questions for our experts, write your journal, and much more.
Supporters and Advisors, Ask questions for FREE:
Medical advisors to share their knowledge and to answer your questions
Find a Doctor:
Find a doctor near you. Read Recommendations and Reviews.
Latest News:
Live news feeds to keep you up to date on developments relevant to Fertility issues.

Bonnie Sayers

A New Jersey transplant living in Los Angeles for over twenty years Bonnie Sayers, also known as "autismfamily,"  is the single parent to two teens on opposite ends of the autism spectrum.  Bonnie has been writing reviews on products for children with autism for nine years.  In  2002 Bonnie took on the role of home health care worker for her severely autistic son through the State of California.  She has been the parent coach for her high functioning son for the past two years while he is attending California Virtual Academy, an online school through K12.com
 
Bonnie is currently serving a two-year term as Secretary of the Community Advisory Committee of Special Education for Los Angeles Unified School District. 
 
Bonnie is a member of the Autism Society of America, as well as The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association.  Her eldest son has high hopes of attending high school there in another year and move on to employment someday.  The family takes care of a feral cat colony that was born under their house.

Laura Rich

Laura Rich is a longtime journalist and book author, currently at Condé Nast. She has written for the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Family Circle and Inc. magazine. She has appeared on CNN, National Public Radio and ABC News. She also recently launched Doomed or Destined, a Hot or Not-like website for couples: http://www.doomedordestined.com.

Destiny Vandeput

Destiny Vandeput, also known as Aunt Dee, is the co-founder of Yes, It’s Normal, a parenting site for moms who need some extra reassurance that the things they and their kids are going through is, well, normal! She was Auntie Extraordinaire for 5 years till she decided to give her sister a chance at being an aunt and had a child herself. Destiny is married to her favorite person Jonathan and they have a daughter Lyric and one on the way. She is Aunt Dee to Ashlyn, Madysen, Kadyn and Judah who she lives 4 houses down from and an Auntie by Choice to Korbin and Sophia. She lives in Dallas, Texas.

Paul Govan

Paul Govan www.gamepeople.co.uk is working out how to fit playing games around a fun filled family life. Three kids under five makes for some hectic times. But it's all worthwhile on rainy Saturdays or late sunny Sundays, bunkered down together for some quality family gaming time.

Summer Foovay

I am a writer, artist, and web designer living in Southern New Mexico. I started Color-Your-Own.com just for fun, but it is one of my most popular websites now!  I am always open to requests if there is something special you would like.

Rhiannon Myers

Rhiannon Myers attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education and BA in English as well as a degree in Children’s Literature. She has written dozens of poems and short stories that she is in the process of trying to publish. The most recent of these stories is about her oldest nephew, Logan, age 5, and his many “adventures.” The young man was able to help with every element of the story, including illustrations. Rhiannon is also the proud Auntie of Austin, 15 months. She is a very doting Auntie who not only writes stories and songs for her nephews but also is willing to play dinosaurs, v-smile or anything else they want to do. Rhiannon resides in Greensboro, NC.

Farnoosh Torabi

Farnoosh Torabi is an accomplished television, print and web journalist focusing on a spectrum of money matters, from personal finance and small business to investing and the financial markets.  She is best known for her business reports that air on TheStreet.com TV, where she hosts Wall Street Confidential featuring the site’s founder Jim Cramer. Her videos also appear on Google and Yahoo! Finance.
Farnoosh is a business contributor to AM New York, Manhattan's largest circulated newspaper.  She also writes a monthly investing column in Entrepreneur Magazine. She has previously written for Money and Time Magazine, the New York Daily News, New York Newsday, Young Money and The Tribeca Trib.  She has been a featured guest on CNN, ABC, MSNBC, Fox News and The Fox Business Channel. 

Farnoosh began her broadcasting career as a business reporter and producer for NY1 News, Time Warner's 24-hour news channel in New York City.  She attended Pennsylvania State University, graduating with honors in Finance and International Business. She also holds a M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University.

Farnoosh’s first book is You’re So Money! Live Rich, Even When You’re Not, April, 2008 (Crown/Three Rivers Press). The book features a foreword and investing tips by Jim Cramer.

Visit her blog at www.farnoosh.tv. Contact Farnoosh: Farnoosh.Torabi@thestreet.com. Press contact: Ava Kavyani: akavyani@randomhouse.com

Rachel M. Mintz

Rachel M. Mintz is an artist and an education consultant. She has a
M.A. and Ed.M. in Art and Art Education from Teachers College,
Columbia University, and for several years she was a bilingual
elementary school teacher in Manhattan. In addition to being a first
and a third grade classroom teacher, she taught art and music during
her tenure in the New York City Public Schools. More recently, Rachel was a director of early childhood programs, at the Montessori Day School of Brooklyn, Vets Kids Child Care Center, and River School. She has also consulted and lectured on children’s art education at organizations such as the Fisher Price Toy Company.

In all her work, Rachel has been dedicated to integrating the arts, including dance, movement, visual arts and creative movement, into all aspects of the educational process. In her view, all subject areas, even mathematics, science, and literacy, can be enhanced through these modalities. In teaching, her focus has also been in bilingual education.

Her extracurricular work includes visits to Spanish speaking countries in order to work with the Jewish communities there. Her two most recent trips were to Cuba. Prior to that, she has traveled to Spain, Costa Rica, Argentina, Venezuela, and Mexico. In New York, she is actively involved with alumni activities, including fundraising, at  Columbia College, her undergraduate alma mater.

Diana Evans

Diana Evans is a self taught artist and illustrator living in Ontario Canada. She is a passionate children’s artist and is currently working on her first children’s book. She has published several works in Children’s Literature Magazines and is a Children’s book expert.

“Unleashing my inner child has really opened up my eyes to a whole new world. I always thought about my purpose in life and using my creativity has enabled me to leave something behind that  art lovers and children will enjoy for years to come.

She has most recently been featured in three Newspapers about her work and upcoming 2008 Children’s Picture book launch. She is also working on a picture book series based on a character she created in grade school.  In her spare time she completes freelance illustration projects for various children’s magazines, Editorials and also donates time to create illustrations for charitable events and fundraisers.

She is an avid art lover and is also looking at getting a group of artists together. Her hope is to brainstorm ideas and come up with annual events that feature art and help raise money for local communities.

Judith Sambol

Judith Sambol is a psychologist treating children and adolescents in New York. She specializes in therapeutic work with learning disabled children and in neuropsychological testing. Her clinical orientation is that of Family Systems theory.   
 
Dr. Sambol earned her Bachelor's degree from Barnard College in 1998 and her Doctoral degree in School/Child Clinical Psychology from Yeshiva University in 2003.
 
Raised in Riverdale, NY, Dr. Sambol grew up in an observant Jewish home and often visits her family in Israel. She has run the New York City Marathon eight times.  She is a proud aunt of two young nephews and a niece
 
Dr. Sambol has a private practice in Manhattan.  She can be reached at jsambol@hotmail.com

Jennifer Cassetta

Jennifer Cassetta is the founder of Health and the City™.

Jennifer is a second degree black belt instructor of HapKiDo, a Korean martial art, at World Martial Arts Center located in NYC. Martial arts was the catalyst that led her to take on health and fitness as her mission in life.
 
Jennifer is also a personal trainer and is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She has built a successful personal training business in NYC , with high profile clients like celebrity make-up artist, Sonia Kashuk. She graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a certified holistic health counselor and is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
 
Jennifer Cassetta is the founder of Health and the City™, a one-stop shopping for people looking to get serious about their health. Health and the City™ is a collaboration of health and fitness related services that include personal training and group classes, nutritional counseling and seminars and martial arts training. Jennifer has been featured on TimeOut NY’s t.v. channel as well as in Marie Clare, Women’s Health, The Wall Street Journal and the NY Post.
 
The holistic lifestyle one takes on as a health counselor, martial artist, and personal trainer encompasses the development of the mind, body and spirit. The programs that Jennifer creates represent this way of life. Her style of coaching and training incorporate the best of both Eastern and Western philosophies. Her background of fitness and nutrition are the perfect mix to help her clients reach their highest potential!

Cheryl Stein

Coaches help people make changes in their lives and help them to become their best. Cheryl Stein, M.A, is a Coach and Consultant helping clients across Unites States and Canada with change.

As principal of Stein Consulting and Coaching, Cheryl has helped countless businesses and individuals to transform. Trained as an Evidence Based Coach from Fielding Graduate University, she works both as a personal coach helping her clients with career and life transitions, and as a business coach helping people to achieve their best. Cheryl is an Associate Certified Coach, a credential that is designated by the International Coach Federation. Cheryl writes a weekly coaching column and offers expert coaching advice for people seeking a meaningful work life on Monster.ca, the Canadian job search site. Her articles focus on the power of the individual to make choices that are in alignment with their personal goals.

As a family business consultant, Cheryl draws on over twenty years of experience in a family business as well as a Masters Degree in Organizational Management and Development to help family businesses with transitions and change. She specializes in strategic planning, leadership development, succession planning, and family communication. She works with families to help them maximize their business potential and to create the conditions for effective teamwork.
 
Cheryl holds a B.A. in English Literature from McGill University in Montreal and her Masters from Fielding Graduate University.
 
Cheryl lives in Montreal with her husband and children and is an Aunt to two nephews and one niece. She is anxiously awaiting the birth of another nephew in late 2008.

Galia Gichon

For more than fourteen years, Galia Gichon has been helping consumers and professionals understand the world of finance and wise personal money management.

In the late 1990's, Ms. Gichon sold exclusive financial conferences to senior executives of top investment managers in the United States and Europe, for Institutional Investor. Previously, she spent six years writing financial research for top investment banks Bear Stearns and Nomura Securities. Ms. Gichon earned an MBA in Finance from Fordham University in New York City. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Florida and Series 7 and 63 NASD licenses, demonstrating her mastery of investing and finance.

Galia Gichon launched Down-to-Earth Finance to demystify personal finance, money management and investing for individuals—particularly women—who have found money matters baffling and intimidating. She presents seminars and does one-on-one consultations that help people get closer to their financial goals by creating spending and savings plans, phasing out debts and mapping out realistic investment strategies.

She has made featured appearances and/or contributed to numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, Sirius Radio Network, Smartmoney.com, MSN Money.com, Ladies Home Journal (lhj.com), Working Today, New York Daily News, Media Bistro and Real Simple Magazine.

Ms. Gichon serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) New York City chapter.

Arianne Segerman

A Midwest transplant from Los Angeles, Arianne Segerman is a former Paralegal turned freelance writer and mom of all boys.  She loves to challenge people to think and to educate themselves, all the while throwing in a little snark for good fun.  An advocate for natural health and green living, she fully embraces her “eco-mom” title.

Her two oldest boys have Autism, and their view on life challenges and inspires her every day, as their zen baby brother holds them all together.

Alexis Martin Neely

Alexis Martin Neely is the Personal Family Lawyer you love.  As the founder of the Family Wealth Planning Institute, the bestselling author of "Wear Clean Underwear! A Fast, Fun, Friendly  - and Essential - Guide to Legal Planning for Busy Parents," and the creator of www.KidsProtectionPlan.com, Alexis' mission is to revolutionize the world of financial and estate planning for families and change the way Americans think about lawyers.  After experiencing the devastation of documents only legal work and the impact of a failed estate plan in her own family and then discovering that is the norm today, Alexis knew she had to teach lawyers and families how to plan with a whole different perspective.  Her passion for changing the industry's standard has earned her recognition as a Super Lawyer Rising Star in Los Angeles Magazine and as one of Worth Magazine's Top 100 Lawyers.  Alexis can be seen weekly on Better TV as there Family Financial and Legal Expert and every now and then on the Today Show and View from the Bay.  While Alexis is sadly not yet an aunt herself, she would be lost without the help of the aunts in her life!

Kate Olson

Kate Olson lives and works in rural Wisconsin and is a mother of two, aunt of two, and educator of many. Kate graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and completed her education certification and licensure at Viterbo University. She is currently completing technology integration instructor certification through the Intel Teach Trainer program. She came to education after a career in accounting, but has been teaching since the age of 13 when she began teaching swimming lessons. Kate has worked with students of all ages, from babies in swimming lessons to adults in technology courses and enjoys the perspective gained from working with each of these age groups. However, her greatest accomplishment in education has been seeing the world through the young eyes of her nieces and own children. Watching them discover books and sharing with them the ups-and-downs of learning new skills is a constant joy. She writes about education and technology at Kate Says and about her adventures in motherhood at This Mommy Gig. Kate looks forward to sharing tips and tricks for teaching and learning with your nieces and nephews!

Audrey McClelland

Audrey is a mom of 4 boys under 4, but has never lost her inner and outer fashionista.  She is married to her college sweetheart, and lives in Rhode Island with her family. She graduated from Brown University and lived in NYC for 7 years, working for Donna Karan International as Donna's personal assistant and then as Operations Manager for DKNY Shoes and Accessories.  Audrey reads fashion magazines like they are going out of style… which of course, she knows they never will! She now owns and writes full-time for Mom Generations with her mom and sister.  She is also the co-founder of Tweightloss.com, helping men and women lose weight through the social media tool, Twitter.

Audrey co-wrote Preconception Plain & Simple - A Deliciously Smart and Sexy Guide in Preparing for Pregnancy, and has contributed to Conceive Magazine. She has also been featured in Woman’s World Magazine, Men’s Health Magazine and The Providence Journal. She has appeared on an ABC 20/20 segment, Fox News Boston and CBS Boston News.

And... let's not forget to mention that Audrey is a Savvy Auntie to 2 nieces and 3 nephews.  After all... Audrey was an Auntie, first.

Becky Wenner

Becky Wenner has been a fitness enthusiast all her life. She began participating in competitive sports as a young child and has competed in events such as soccer, track and field and swimming as a young girl. Becky is a practicing attorney who rediscovered her love of competitive sports as an adult while trying to better her health and well-being. This newfound discovery led her to participate in five fitness/figure competitions, a sprint triathlon and an Adventure Race!

After graduating from Hofstra School of Law, Becky successfully practiced law for 7 years. Her love of fitness, competitive sports and general dissatisfaction with the legal profession helped her make the decision to follow her heart and open Becky's Fitness Company. Now she seeks to help other women take control of their life, get healthy, happy and fit!

Becky is certified as an Adventure Boot Camp Instructor and Fitness Nutrition Coach by the National Exercise and Sports Training Association (NESTA). Rebecca also holds other training certificates including Personal Training Certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and Group Fitness Instruction from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She also holds her certification in kickboxing from AFAA and she is CPR and AED certified.

Becky is dedicated to helping others pursue and achieve their goals for improved health and fitness and a more active lifestyle. Becky’s Fitness Company was designed to take her love of food, fitness and fun and bring it to others to enjoy! Most recently, Becky became a Certified Personal Fitness Chef through NESTA.

Becky currently teaches aerobics and group fitness classes for many prestigious fitness clubs and spas throughout New York City. She has been featured and quoted in several publications including the Miami Fitness Examiner, Bayside Times, Queens Courier, Tribune, and currently holds the post of Health and Wellness editor of Young Muscle Magazine. Becky has also appeared on Good Day New York with Mike Woods.