Someone You Should Know

How One Seattle Mom Is Helping Kids (and Parents) Stay Safe in the Water

No More Under helps families swim safely

John Meisenbach: A Legacy of Service and Mentorship

A lifetime of philanthropy, mentorship and leadership

The Scientist: Christina Zhao

Exploring how infants perceive and process the world of sound

The Youth Activists: Lilly DuPuis and Ellen Rikhof

Teen founders of the Sexual Violence Resource Group

Safety Superheroes: Olivia Lippens and Ashley Hay

Dedicated to community safety

The Conductor: Tigran Arakelyan

Bringing everyone together through music

The Education Champions: Kyla Crawford and Gerald Donaldson

Supporting students, family and community

The Healing Hand: Moffett Burgess, DDS

It’s about more than just a healthy smile

The Kindness Ambassador: Dhaarmika Coelho

Opportunities for families and kids to practice kindness and service

ParentMap’s 2025 Superheroes

Get to know the changemakers making a difference for kids and families in Washington

From Star Athlete to Head Coach

How Lyla’s medical experience inspires a team culture of safety

Meet THEM: Seattle Band Has Been Rocking Together Since Middle School

Let’s just say their star is definitely on the rise

Unlock Confidence and Creativity in Kids Through Entrepreneurship

Expert tips from the dad who founded Studentspreneur

Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez Talks Inspiration, Impact and the Power of Art

A Q&A with the creator of the superhero La Borinqueña

Lessons on Leadership From Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell

Reflections on his past, present and the city's future

Meet 2024 OSPI Superintendent Candidate, David Olson

From his budget vision to the last book he read, this is our Republian-backed challenger

Meet 2024 OSPI Superintendent Candidate, Reid Saaris

From his budget vision to the last book he read, this is the left-leaning challenger

Meet 2024 OSPI Superintendent Candidate, Chris Reykdal

From his budget vision to the last book he read, this is our incumbent

Navigating Kids’ Privacy in the Digital Age

A conversation with Devorah Heitner, Ph.D.

Parenting Tweens as a Social Media Mom

South Seattle mom Reanne Gamet finds family balance tricky as her Instagram following climbs

Blended Family, Unified Approach

North Bend Mom Pamela Savagaonkar on raising kind, independent children

Families Leading the Way to Sustainability

From environmentalism to waste reduction, these local families are making a difference

Hands-On, High-Tech Parenting From Art Projects to Alexa

How Phinney Ridge dad Andrew Wilcox uses gadgets to make the most of offline family time

Preparing Kids to Launch, Starting With the Seattle Bus

Queen Anne mom Moffett Burgess on how “lighthouse parenting” frees her and empowers her kids

From a High-Pressure Childhood to Gentle Parenting

Pediatric OT Suzie Driscoll on raising her daughter differently than how she grew up in Korea

"My entire parenting journey has been to do the least harm.”

How one Kent mom’s survival of civil war shapes her parenting

Beyond Tiger Moms and Attachment Dads

7 Seattle-area parents share how their stories shape their parenting style

Meet a Local Teen With a Passion for Technology in the Service of Sustainability

Naman Mutalik Desai is working to raise awareness and create solutions

The Unifiers: Bishop Garry L. Tyson, Mayor Salim Nice, Rabbi J. Rosenbaum and the Rev. Linda Smith

Working toward unity across religious divides

The Vanguard Activists: Iris Kalach, Dafnit Soffer, Ronit Bohrer Hillel and Osnat Zemer

Women dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of the Israeli hostages

The Urban Trailblazers: AP Diaz, Sara Nelson and Jon Scholes

Seattle leaders dedicated to revitalizing the city’s most vibrant district

The Civic Mobilizers: David Domke and Christina Gould

Working to amplify a democracy that is just and inclusive

The Helping Hand: Ellen Young

Providing free formalwear and accessories to underprivileged teen

The Youth Mentors: Jesse Franklin and Jacob Tobis

Connecting with and supporting youth through athletics

The Providers: JJ Kissinger and Molly Landreth

Giving comfort to families in crisis

The Tech-Nos: Delaney Ruston, M.D., and Rep. Stephanie McClintock

Working to keep phones out of the classroom

ParentMap’s 2024 Superheroes

Meet some of the movers and shakers working for kids and families in Washington

The Community Connectors: Ubuntu Nerudo

Building a loving community through African heritage

‘Hey, Kids!’ How One Kent Dad Fills the Father Role for Millions

Rob Kenney’s YouTube channel, ‘Dad, How Do I?’ reaches 4.7 million ‘kids’

Wellspring Family Services Is On a Mission to End Family Homelessness

Prevention is key

Meet a Local Teen With a Passion for Volunteering

This award-winning youth leader has some great advice for community involvement

Neighborhood Spotlight: Arosa Café

This Madison Valley hub engenders the true spirit of Seattle’s coffee-loving community culture

More Than 100 Years Later, Girl Scouts Still Leading, More Relevant Than Ever

A Q + A with Girl Scouts of Western Washington CEO Andrea Anderson

What Do You Remember About Being 12?

The Year 12 Project wants to know!

Organizing a Cleanup: An Article Written by the Next Generation of Movers and Shakers

We can all make a difference!

Meet a Local Teen With a Passion for Education, Empathy and Youth Advocacy

She’s already founded a nonprofit, and she’s still in high school

ParentMap’s 2023 Superheroes for Washington Kids and Families

Q&As with local champions worth celebrating

What Can Danish Parents Teach Us About Empathy?

Recognizing and understanding the emotions of others is key to well-being

The Teen Action Fair Is Back in Person for 2023

Get ready to be inspired — and motivated to get involved!

Lessons in Heroism From Tenacious Teens

Local young change-makers inspire us in the present — and give us hope for the future

Greater Seattle ARK Is Powered by Kindness

Local youth-led organization promotes positivity through everyday acts of selflessness

Parent Day Jobs: Meet Caroline Wright, “The Soup Lady”

This local author’s latest cookbook ladles up a moving story of community, love — and healthy recipes

Teens Find Their Voice — and Family — at Totem Star

Local nonprofit teaches more than just music

This Youth ‘Artivist’ is an Imagemaker Working for Social Change

Meet Rhea Kulkarni

Someone You Should Know: An Artist for the Community

Visual artist Paige Pettibon’s striking work integrates virtues of local Lushootseed culture

This Financial Tech Superstar Helps Parents Invest in Their Kids’ Future

Meet Ksenia Yudina

It Starts With You(th): Meet Avi Schiffmann

This local teen created a website to track the global spread of COVID-19

It Starts With You(th): Meet Logan Spoonemore

This Seattle-area high school student launched a free virtual tutoring service during the coronavirus pandemic

This Indigenous Youth Believes Every Person Can Make a ‘Gigantic Change for the World’

Meet Chayton Remle

How to Have Tough Talks With Your Kids

This child advocate shares his honest policy

How to Practice Citizenship in Uncertain Times

Thoughts on citizenship by author and CEO Eric Liu

It Starts With You(th): Kathryn Lau and Anya Shukla

This dynamic duo cofounded a mentorship org to promote diversity in the arts for teens of color

This Local Youth Has a Passion for Helping People With Disabilities

Meet Sophia Lin

It Starts With You(th): Meet Bitaniya Giday

Seattle’s 2020–21 Youth Poet Laureate’s work reclaims a sense of home, identity

This Local Executive Producer is Helping Bridge the Opportunity Gap for BIPOC Children

Meet Val Thomas-Matson

This Local Youth Works to Empower Womxn Through Healing Conversations

Meet Robin Hall

This Elementary School Principal Forges Opportunity — and Community — From Chaos

Meet Terry Holtgraves

Teen Perspective: What Service Means to Me

It Starts With You(th): Meet Cameron Davis

It Starts With You(th): Meet Azure Savage

This teen author explores the experiences of students of color in Seattle schools

This Chef and Mom Makes Beans the Star of the Dish

Jackie Freeman's new cookbook is all about nutrition and versatility

It Starts With You(th): Meet Angelina Riley

This local youth is working to improve student health in our schools

It Starts With You(th): Meet Seika Brown

This inspiring local youth is creating a playbook for social change

ParentMap’s 2020 Superheroes for Washington Kids and Families

Q&As with local individuals worth celebrating

ParentMap 2020 Superheroes Jamie Margolin and Kendall Kieras: The Climate Crusaders

A Q&A with two climate activists from Zero Hour

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Annabelle Falconer: The Upstander

A Q&A with a student leader at the Holocaust Center for Humanity

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Donald Byrd: The Citizen Artist

A Q&A with the artistic director of Spectrum Dance Theater

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Sean Goode: The Counselor

A Q&A with the executive director of Choose 180, an organization reducing the flow of youths into the juvenile justice system

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Putter Bert: The Educator

A Q&A with the president and CEO of KidsQuest Children’s Museum

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Luis Ortega: The Mentor

A Q&A with the founder and director of Storytellers for Change

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Patti Skelton-McGougan: The Caregiver

A Q&A with the CEO of Youth Eastside Services

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Janis Avery: The Builder

A Q&A with the former CEO of Treehouse, a nonprofit supporting Washington youth in foster care

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Lisa Keating: The Changemaker

A Q&A with the founder of My Purple Umbrella

ParentMap 2020 Superhero Mie-Mie Wu: The Dreamer

A Q&A with the founder of Reading With Rover

Discover Hope for the Future at the Teen Action Fair

This annual event celebrates youth-driven change

This Researcher and Father Is Ensuring That Schools Value More Than Just Academics

He's helping shape Seattle Public Schools' programs and policies around social-emotional learning

This Nurse Practitioner Is on a Mission to ‘Support the Heart of Parenting’

Meet 'The Boob Boss,' AKA Rue Khosa

This Doctor’s Orders Are to Show Up for Your Kids

Meet Dan Siegel, M.D.

This Young Seattle Dancer Believes That Kindness Is Key

Meet Alillia Bowden

This Mother Is on a Mission to Help Widowed Parents

Meet Jenny Lisk, creator of “The Widowed Parent” podcast

It Starts With You(th): Meet Fadumo Roble

This Bellevue student believes big change starts with small actions

Local Businesswoman Hopes to Redefine the Future for Women in the Workplace

Meet Amy Nelson, Founder and CEO of The Riveter

The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Our Kids

An interview with Paul Tough

This ‘Mompreneur’ Has Created a Community Space for Healing Through Artistic Expression

Meet Jaki McQuiston

Local Youths Strike for Global Climate Action

Ian Price and Zoe Schurman dedicate their Fridays to the future

Meet Jason Reid, a Father on a Mission to End Teen Suicide

ChooseLife.org aims to end teen suicide by 2030

Who’s Behind the New PAC 'Moms for Seattle'?

We asked a group founder to try to find out

Local Teens Launch Mentorship Program for Adopted Youth

When two adopted teens couldn’t find the support network they needed, they created it

Meet a Rising Young Artist With a Vision of Empowering Women

Her message: “You are perfect with all of your flaws and imperfections.”

These Two Moms Are Working to Close the Gender Wage Gap in Washington

A Q&A with Dani Carbary and Tara Buchan

Meet a PNB Principal Dancer Who Just Opened a New Ballet School

A Q&A with Laura Tisserand

Parent Day Jobs: Vickie Andrews

Meet a Swedish Medical Center NICU nurse who loves her job

Meet the Man Behind the ‘Cooking Scrappy’ Revolution

A Q&A with Chef Joel Gamoran

How This Local Pediatrician Helps Kids Thrive

Parent Day Jobs: Meet Tiffany Spanier, M.D.

Get Inspired by Nichelle Hilton of Backpack Brigade

‘Set up. Pack. Drive. Repeat until all the kids are fed.’

What This Local Man Is Doing About SIDS

Meet John Kahan of First Steps for SIDS

How a Local Educator Is Transforming Special Education

Ariane Gauvreau is helping teachers understand what kids with special needs really need

How to Teach Your Kids About Diversity and Human Rights

These conversations are essential to raising kind, empathetic kids

Raising a Transgender Child

Seattle mom Marlo Mack shares her experience

Someone You Should Know: Jéhan Òsanyìn

The Seattle-based storyteller on making wild spaces accessible

This Local Student Is Pushing for Gun Safety

Kyler Parris took on a leadership role in the March for Our Lives

Someone You Should Know: Stacy Zhong and Lulu Bath

The moms behind the new Washington Preparatory School in Bothell

6 People Changing the World of Learning Differences and Special Needs

What you need to know about their work

What Seattle Parents Need to Know About Racism

A Q&A with Seattle parent and author Ijeoma Oluo

The Seattle Engineer Changing Lives in Myanmar

Meet Pwint Htun

Seattle Drug Dealer Turns Community Leader

How he helps Seattle youth find a new path

Someone You Should Know: Allen Rickert

A well-known local toy seller talks about the future of play

Someone You Should Know: Lisa Hallett

How this Dupont military mom channeled her grief

The Woman Behind Sesame Street's Newest Star

Here's someone you should know: Wendy Stone, Ph.D.

Someone You Should Know: Angela Rose Black, Ph.D.

One woman’s mission to rethink what mindfulness means

Meet Seattle Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire

You know the name but do you know the port commissioner?

Someone You Should Know: Lawrence Cohen

Why this psychologist advocates for making parenting playful

One Mom, Three Kids, 400 Seattle Parks and a New Book

Parks blogger Linnea Westerlind publishes a new guidebook

A Seattle Dad You Should Know

The Seattle dad takes it one podcast at a time

Supporting Women of Color During Birth

Q&A with pioneering doula Nikia Lawson

Someone You Should Know: Kimberly Arthur Offers Compassion To Go

How a Seattle Children’s clinical research scientist helps parents thrive

Dear Reader: The Ultimate Superpower Is Kindness

Publisher's note for ParentMap's April 2017 print issue

Meet the CEO of Seattle Children's

Dr. Jeff Sperring shares why it’s so much more than a hospital

Seattle Seahawk Michael Bennett Talks Football, Family and a Foundation

How the Bennett family gives back and keeps grounded

What Makes a ‘Maker’: Talking to UW Scientist Bronwyn Bevan

University of Washington educator rolls up her sleeves and helps kids learn

Someone You Should Know: James Whetzel

Did you know the International Fountain has its own DJ?

Programming Political Transparency: How 1 Teen Changed D.C.

Recent high school graduate Nick Rubin talks about his political financing app

Someone You Should Know: Dylan Tomine

On taking the kids along on wild-food-finding adventures

Mama on a Mission: Q&A With Washington State Representative

This state representative talks politics, family and making it all work

Honoring the Village

Honoring the Village

How Sarah Moore of Pacific Science Center's Tropical Butterfly House Makes It Work

Moore helps Seattle-area families connect with and learn about animals and insects from all over the world

Can You Hardwire Happiness? Find Out on March 22

The University of Washington’s Center for Child and Family Well-Being hosts a free public lecture with mindfulness expert Dr. Rick Hanson

Someone You Should Know: Tatum Kerr, Mary Karges and Eulalie Scandiuzzi From Moonjar

Moonjar helps kids learn about saving, spending, sharing and more

Someone You Should Know: Travel the Globe With Jennifer Spatz

ParentMap talks with Global Family Travels founder Jennifer Spatz about the family service and adventure trips they offer, plus her inspirations and more

Meet MomsRising Founder Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

Paid leave, child care and more are on this mom's mind

Someone You Should Know: Shaye Whitmer

When he's not fighting the Empire or making his own light sabers, Jedi master Shaye Whitmer is a father of two and teacher at Shoreline's Evergreen School

Someone You Should Know: Katie Headrick Taylor

UW professor Katie Headrick Taylor, who studies digital and spatial literacy in kids, shares her thoughts on screen time and healthy technology engagement

Eat Well on $4 a Day? Q&A with 'Good and Cheap' Cookbook Author Leanne Brown

The story of a cookbook that went viral, for a very good reason

Meet Sarah Cassidy, Organic Pumpkin Farmer and All-season Educator

At Oxbow Farm, fall fun includes popcorn, heirloom pumpkins and living lessons about sustainability and restoration

Someone You Should Know: Suzanne Gwynn

A Q&A with the founder of Ladybug House, a freestanding, community-based palliative-care home in Seattle to offer respite to children with life-limiting illnesses

Sweet Success: How Molly Moon Neitzel Makes It Work

"Ice cream can be where a multigenerational community gathering happens."

Someone You Should Know: The Makery's Amber Kai Morgan

Q&A with the cofounder of Hollow Earth Radio and teaching artist helping to reinvent The Makery

Someone You Should Know: Sarah Ioannides

Q&A with new music director of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra

Someone You Should Know: Amy HyunAh Pak

A Q&A with the founder and executive director of Families of Color Seattle

Someone You Should Know: Julie Metzger, AKA 'Puberty Lady'

How one author, nurse and lecturer is helping parents and tweens talk puberty, shame-free

Someone You Should Know: Microsoft's Lori Forte Harnick

General Manager for Citizenship & Public Affairs at Microsoft, Including the Microsoft YouthSpark Initiative

Someone You Should Know: Shannon Watts

Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Someone You Should Know: Melodic Caring Project

Meet the husband-and-wife team who formed a nonprofit to help sick kids feel like rock stars

Someone You Should Know: Bernardo Ruiz

Community Engagement and Equity Advocate

Someone You Should Know: Gender Educator Aidan Key

Someone You Should Know: Ginger Passarelli and The Soup Ladies

Someone You Should Know: Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer

Our Year of Giving

A project to teach compassion sows the seeds of big change in one family and their community

Seattle's LEGO Superstar: Alice Finch Goes 'Beyond the Brick'

Someone You Should Know: Molly Wizenberg

Someone You Should Know: Nick Ost, Sacks of Love Founder

4 Nature Bloggers Who Will Inspire Your Outdoor Adventures

Someone You Should Know: David Hemenway

Salmon's Epic Journey: Q&A with Charlotte Spang

Play Date: Caspar Babypants on 'Baby Beatles,' Bugs, Bears and What He Loves About his Job

Play Date: 'Family on the Loose' Travel Writers Bill Richards and Ashley Steel

Someone You Should Know: Melain Blue and Cory Crawford, Creators of Rizzmic

Someone You Should Know: Jana Mohr Lone

Brain, Adult: Catching Up with Jennifer Niesslein

Someone You Should Know: Yolanda Watson Spiva

Someone You Should Know: Paul Vine

Someone You Should Know: Lara Davis

Someone You Should Know: José L. Banda

Someone You Should Know: Larry Nicholas and Tom Underhill

Someone You Should Know: Starbucks Barista Lashay Hordges Johnson

Someone You Should Know: Lisa Taylor

Someone You Should Know: Dr. Jill Sells

Someone You Should Know: Craig Kielburger

Someone You Should Know: Dr. Joel Berg

Someone You Should Know: Justin (Tim) Mills

Someone You Should Know: Rob McKenna

Someone You Should Know: Jay Inslee

Someone You Should Know: Shana Bestock

Someone You Should Know: the University of Washington's Tom Stritikus

Kindering Celebrates 50 Years of Providing Essential Early Intervention Services

Someone You Should Know: Chris Ballew, Caspar Baby Pants

From the ParentMap Staff: Our Words of Wisdom from Mom

Sex, Lies and Love: How Happy Couples Make It Work

The famous love doctor talks about trust, betrayal and how to stay strong

Someone You Should Know: Dale and Leslie Chihuly

Someone You Should Know: Meredith Lohr and Kim Armstrong

Profiles in Mother Courage: Vanessa Berlowitz, Documentarian and Adventurer

Someone You Should Know: Marsha Linehan, Ph.D.

Someone You Should Know: John Martin of Boys Read

Someone You Should Know: Seattle Symphony Director, Ludovic Morlot

The conductor is dedicated to community, education and innovation

Someone You Should Know: Jesse Gillman