Jennifer had a long career in non-profit public health, working 25 years for the American Cancer Society regionally and nationally and 5 years for the Arthritis Foundation. She led a large team dedicated to building relationships with healthcare systems to implement quality improvement initiatives and provide relevant programs and services for cancer patients and their caregivers. She has extensive experience in designing and implementing strategies for leadership development, executive coaching, management training, and employee engagement. She also managed high-quality leadership conferences for volunteer leaders and implemented a series of volunteer training tools for volunteer leaders, volunteer Boards of Directors, and committee members.

In addition to her work for Mother Mentors, Jennifer has her own leadership and life coaching business, Living the Intention.

Jennifer and her husband, Paul, moved to Whidbey Island in 2007 and have both been involved in local non-profits and political campaign work. They love the vibrancy of the community and the commitment to support local growth and stability. You can find Jennifer and their Black Lab, Davis, hiking the trails at Greenbank Farm every day.

Esther has been supporting children and families for the past forty years. She worked in Early Childhood Education for most of that time taking on various roles, from teacher, to Supervisor to Coach. Infants and toddlers are her specialty which led her to acquire an endorsement from the Washington Association for Infant Mental Health. She is passionate about the social and emotional health of children birth to 5 and their families as this lays a secure groundwork for a healthy and resilient community. She has lived on Whidbey Island with her family for 28 years. She has a deep connection to nature and loves to spend time walking the many lovely trails on the island with her husband, friends and dogs. She also enjoys just being at her home in the woods with a pond and plentiful wildlife. Esther is dedicated to helping others, nurturing her community and striving for the health of the planet. She is pleased to be working with Mother Mentors, supporting families and building community in her own backyard.

Tasha Miller came to Whidbey Island four years ago after becoming a parent in Tokyo. Arriving to the island with two children under two and one more on the way, she found comfort and community instantly when she showed up to her first Playscape play and learn session. She is passionate about nurturing parents and supports a vision for alloparenting in the spirit that children deserve caregivers who are thriving, not just surviving.

Along with her meaningful work at Mother Mentors, you can find Tasha chasing her children and chickens and collaborating with the global motherhood collective she co-founded, Mother Wild. She co-facilitates retreats for mothers and an online community that helps mothers connect to each other and themselves.

Lizzie moved to Whidbey Island from the mainland four years ago. She has three children and is a biological mom, adoptive mom, and a step-mom! Lizzie has been working in early childhood for over 25 years. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Montessori certification. She has experience leading Montessori and Reggio Emilia classroomsand has also taught Kindermusik . Lizzie began attending Playscape with her stepdaughter four years ago and fell in love with the program. She began volunteering and then substitutinguntil she was offered a position as a facilitator. At home Lizzie takes care of her family and a variety of pets. She gardens and putters around her pottery studio. She’s a voracious reader and loves baking. At Playscape Lizzie enjoys sharing her love of experiential learning and music. She hopes to create a warm, inclusive, joyful learning environment for every person attending playscape- both caregivers and children!

Shealyn is so excited for a new year at Playscape! This is her second year as facilitator of the Oak Harbor Playscape.

Her family moved to the island in August 2000 and she graduated from Coupeville High School in 2005. She left for 5 years to attend Whitworth University and graduated with a degree inElementary Education. During that time, she also spent a year abroad in Scotland, where she met her husband. He followed her back to Whidbey and they have been raising their own family here.

Shealyn lives in Coupeville and has three children; Alec (10), Evie (7) and Neil (5). Alec and Evie attend Coupeville Elementary School and Neil attends Central Whidbey Cooperative Preschool.

When not at Playscape she spends a lot of time getting children to and from soccer practice. She also enjoys participating in productions at Whidbey Playhouse.

Jane Bothel

Jeanette Bothel

Megan Gaydosh

Dana Kelly

Kristin Lasher, Emeritus

Laura McAlister

Patrice O'Neill

Linda Ade Ridder

Sarah Santosa

Greg Steible

Niki Vansice