Our Mission
Provide and advocate for quality childcare that enriches and nurtures all children, supporting their success in school and in life.
About
At Kids Co. we create safe spaces that inspire wonder, curiosity, and play. We've been serving families since 1989 so we must be doing something really right! Starting with one center in Ballard, we now have 14 throughout Seattle and Mercer Island. And why do our families love us?
- 14 Convenient Locations
- Great Staff
- High Quality, Licensed Programs
- Lots of Scheduling Options
- All Families Are Welcome
- Worry Free Work Days
- Peace of Mind
- Fun for the Kids
Administrative Staff
Susan Brown, President and CEO, Board Member Ex-Officio
Susan Brown
Like many other working women I wear lots of hats…I'm mom to two incredible kids (now young adults), Kelby and Midori, I'm wife to the love of my life, Jim, and I have the incredible honor of being Kids Co.'s founder and CEO. And, I'm a Husky. Beyond the hats that I wear, what I believe is most important that you know about me is that I am blessed beyond comprehension that I get to do the work that I love. Child care is my passion and Kids Co. is the result of decades of hard work, tenacity, and love.
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Amanda Bakke, Development and Community Relations Manager
Amanda Bakke
One of my many passions in life is to connect great people with other great people. My position at Kids Co. allows me to do just that! I'm constantly reaching out to our community to tell them the Kids Co. story and the many reasons why quality child care is so important. As a mom of two, I know first-hand that it's crazy-hard to balance a full-time job without such care.
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Kristina Broyer, Regional Manager
Kristina Broyer
Having been in the childcare industry for over 15 years, I am so excited to be working for Kids Co. I love working with kids helping them grow and learn. Kids Co wants to make sure all kids get the opportunity to have a quality childcare experience and I believe in the same thing. Originally from Ohio and an Ohio State alum, you can find me alongside my husband and two daughters cheering on the Buckeyes on game days! Please feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns.
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Doug Chidgey, Regional Manager
Doug Chidgey
Born in Seattle and raised on Queen Anne Hill, I’m the middle child of seven children. Our backyard and community center down the street was the “social network” where I grew up. I had fun, safe places to play and really believe that’s still important today.
I graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Philosophy and a minor in youth development. Today the passion I have is to work with the staff who provide quality care and that fun, safe place to play.
Cathy Crowe, Family Account Manager
Cathy Crowe
Before joining the Kids Co. team in 2007, I worked for 17 years' in the child care field. That experience set the stage for my career at Kids Co. My responsibilities here lie within the finance team where I manage Billing and Center Accounts, along with other duties as they surface. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love all sports, but football is my favorite. I've been a diehard Seahawks from the beginning.
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Morgan Follette, Sr. Accountant
Morgan Follette
Seattle has been my home since 2005 and I count myself blessed to live in such a beautiful city with so many wonderful people. I joined the Kids Co team in 2018 after many years working in corporate Finance. Being a UW graduate, it’s awesome to have been able to continue my life’s journey in Seattle and be a part of the good work that Kids Co has pioneered in the city for the past 30 years. I’m inspired daily by my peers and their commitment to provide quality care for children in the area, and I’m humbled to support Kids Co serving as their Senior Accountant.
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Marjean McCraw, Director of Operations
Marjean McCraw
My first day with the Kids Co. team was on my birthday. I consider myself lucky to share what we call my Kids-Co-Birth-Aversary with what I care deeply about; the success of all kids and my community. I am grateful to be a part of an organization that truly cares about, and provides access to quality care for kids and their families. After graduating from Western Washington University (Go Vikings!), I made a goal to commit myself to work that gives me purpose. I have been lucky to have found that working for kids and families for over 25 years. Times flies when you love your work!
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Julia Robinson, Human Resources Manager
Julia Robinson
I'm happy and honored to run Kids Co.'s Human Resources department. I love HR, especially within the nonprofit sector, so I couldn't have asked for a better job. Each day I feel privileged to be a part of Kids Co. family – a team of fascinating people who are dedicated to make this world a better place. My door is always open for questions, suggestions, ideas, or a friendly chat!
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Jake Zweschi, Administrative Assistant
and Payroll
Jake Zweschi
I was born and raised in Chicago but am now happy to call Seattle home. Although Father Time keeps nipping at my heels, I still consider myself to be a kid at heart, and my wife would surely be happy to confirm this! The laughter and smiles of the kids, the appreciation and gratitude of the parents, and the compassion and kindness of my coworkers is what makes Kids Co. a special place. When not working you can find me drinking coffee, playing scrabble, and relaxing with my wife and our two silly cats!
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Edgar Acevedo Kids Co. at Northwood
Edgar Acevedo
I've recently moved to Washington State a year ago. I've worked as a Child Care Director in domestic violence shelters, was an elementary school teacher and university adjunct in New York city for the last 15+ years. I look forward to supporting your child's development and very excited to be part of Kids Co.
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Monica Drummey Kids Co. at Cedar Park
Monica Drummey
I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education for twenty years. Beginning as a Montessori assistant, I later pursued a teaching certificate for Montessori Primary Education. Following my time in the classroom, I moved on to administrative positions in larger organizations serving children ages 2 months through 5 years.
I joined Kids Co. in September 2017 to open a new center at Decatur Elementary. We serve children from the Seattle Preschool Program and elementary students from the school. It is a wonderful community of learners and an exciting opportunity to grow with a new school community.
Adam Foote Kids Co. at West Mercer
Adam Foote
Since graduating from Lewis & Clark College with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Art, I have been working my way up the West Coast creating impactful youth development programs in my communities. I started my youth development career as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Humboldt County California, where I was born and raised, by creating a before and after school program in an alternative high school while assisting teachers in their class room. This year is my third school year managing Kids Co. at West Mercer Elementary and my first at our newest location, Kids Co. at Northwood Elementary. I cherish calling the Pacific Northwest my home. When I have free time you can usually find me playing soccer, board games, and disc golf, hiking, taking pictures, and spending time with family and friends. I also grapple with the cognitive dissidence of supporting both the Sounders and the Timbers during soccer season.
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Miranda Hatch Kids Co. at John Hay
Miranda Hatch
As a Washington-native and avid learner, I grew up loving school and am thrilled to have the opportunity to instill curiosity and perseverance in our children. My main goal as an educator is to create a safe, welcoming community where kids are encouraged to ask questions, seek answers, and not be afraid to make mistakes. I attained my Masters in Teaching and K-8 teaching certificate from the UW in 2010 and soon after joined the Kids Co. team. I quickly fell in love with the program, the kids, and the community. For the past five years I’ve taken on increasingly responsible leadership positions. In my free time, I love exploring new places and ideas. And I never turn down a chance to ride on a rollercoaster!
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Gerleza Jackson Kids Co. at Graham Hill
Gerleza Jackson
Born and raised in Seattle, I was a child who struggled early on with reading. It took the love and time of a teacher that encouraged and instilled confidence in me. This sparked a light that made me to want to help kids learn to read, and have fun in school. My hope is that no child is left behind and that all children will love to learn, have fun and be inspired to follow their dreams.
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Vanessa Kitchner Kids Co. at Cascadia
Vanessa Kitchner
In 2013 I started at Kids Co. as a full time Regional Sub. This provided a unique insight to the company and was a great experience for me to become familiar with all of the Kids Co. centers. I have worked in child care since 2009 and have become very passionate about enriching the lives of youth and creating a strong educational community for children and families to be a part of. After spending over 5 years in Portland, I decided to move to Seattle after graduating from Portland State University. Although Portland was very hard to leave, I quickly fell in love with Seattle, especially since I have been a long time Seahawks fan!
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Jeneane Kruchoski Kids Co. at TOPS
Jeneane Kruchoski
I joined Kids Co. shortly after receiving my Masters of Education from Seattle University. I have now been the Program Manager at TOPS for almost 5 years and I learn something new every day. This position has provided me with the opportunity to positively impact the lives of children and families, something I am very passionate about. In my free time I love playing with my son, exploring the city with my husband, and baking up a storm.
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Sammi Manalo Kids Co. at South Shore
Sammi Manalo
I grew up in the same neighborhood (Rainier Beach) as my Kids Co. center and am excited to be serving in this community. As a child, I always spent time with children younger than myself, and as I grew older, I continued to volunteer in classrooms and at my church's children's ministry. It was in high school that I realized that I not only liked helping children, but I truly enjoyed working and spending time with them. My passion for children led me to pursue a BA in Integrated Studies from Seattle Pacific University. After graduating, I actually became a School-Age Counselor for this very same Kids Co. location. Then, I left to pursue one of my dreams, which was to teach abroad. For a year, I taught English in South Korea, and in January 2011, I returned to work at Kids Co. where I have diligently continued my career in child care. I am ecstatic that I get to continue to work for this community and look forward to making a positive influence in the lives of the children and their families in this area.
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Natalia Rodriguez Kids Co. at Lakeridge
Natalia Rodriguez
Born and raised in Seattle. I graduated in 2004 from Western University with a BA in Human Services. I have worked in the child care field for over 20 years. My experiences with children still fascinate me every day. I love watching them learn and teach themselves new things.
I joined Kids Co. nine years ago, have gained the knowledge of what goes into providing a high quality childcare. I have been very fortunate to be able to meet and work with amazing teachers and families.
Aside from work, I have three amazing children who are the light of my life and keep me on my toes!
Patrick Russell Kids Co. at Queen Anne
Patrick Russell
I have been in the child care field for over twenty years, and I have been with Kids Co. for the past ten. I enjoy my job and the interactions with the families in our community. Every day is an adventure which is full of possibilities. Sharing my love of Art and Science with the kids is what makes me happy. Watching the lightbulb go off in a child's head when they get excited about a project or experiment makes my day. Our team makes sure that all children in our care have a fun and positive experience and that families feel comfortable hanging out at our center.
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Brittany Smathers Kids Co. at Island Park
Brittany Smathers
I grew up in Pullman, Washington, where I later attended Washington State University. I hold a B.A. in Human Development with an emphasis in Family relations. I have worked in various child based centers including military, licensed childcare centers, private school, and tutoring. I have a small dog named Buddy who I love to hangout with and I enjoy thrift shopping and smoothies. I am so excited to be working with Kids Co. and providing families with the opportunity to leave their children in such a welcoming environment.
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Cassy Wass Kids Co. at Adams
Cassy Wass
After receiving my degree in Youth Development Studies back home in Minnesota, I moved to Seattle to pursue a career in the field. Since moving here in 2012, I have been privileged to work with K-5 students as both an Afterschool Program Counselor and Director. I love working for Kids Co.—teaching kids how to build their character and explore new interests through Art, Science, Engineering, and creative play; no other job allows me to balance my creativity with my passion for community so well! When I am not developing young minds, I enjoy museums, baking, and all sorts of outdoor adventuring in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!
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LaFawnda Williams Kids Co. at McDonald
LaFawnda Williams
I'm an Alaska native who migrated South in order to attend Seattle Pacific University. I fell in love with Seattle and never left! My home-away-from-home is Kids Co. at McDonald where I get to spend quality time with all of your great kids and get to know the community as a whole. In my spare time I enjoy basketball, travel, and my family and friends.
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Cortney Welsh Kids Co. at Decatur
Cortney Welsh
My journey in nonprofit youth development started around 12 years ago while working as a summer camp counselor. Since then I have had the experience working with all age groups from infants to teens. I attended the University at Buffalo, School of Management in New York State for both my undergraduate and graduate studies. Some of my past experiences include Camp Director & Coordinator, School Age Child Care Director, Youth Development Instructor, and Preschool Teacher Aide. I’m excited to get to know the Decatur Community and the families in it!
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Board of Directors
Executive Committee
John Hoverson, Chair
John Hoverson
Kids Co. is an organization with a mission that is important for Seattle. Kids Co. is a secure, mentoring, safe environment for all children regardless of ability to pay tuition.
I was born and raised in Seattle, a graduate of Seattle Public Schools. My undergraduate degree in Economics is from the University of Kansas and my graduate degree in Business Administration is from the University of Washington. I am a Veteran having served five years as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. As a financial officer I have advised a number of Seattle based companies.
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Joe Jornadal, Vice Chair
Joe Jornadal
I'm a commercial lender with over 12 years of experience building relationships with business owners and chief executives, helping them profitably grow their companies. The advice and insights I provide come from years of experience in credit analysis, entrepreneurship, and financial modeling. I earned my BS in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Among my community service activities, I serve as a board member of Kids Co. and as President and Co-founder of the Wharton Club of Seattle. I reside on the Eastside and enjoy running, hiking, and exploring with my middle school daughter.
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Jonathan Siegel, Treasurer
Jonathan Siegel
I am currently the CFO of LabConnect, LLC, a life science services company. Previous to that, I was a CFO, an Economic and Strategy Consultant, and an Economic Researcher. I hold a BA in Economics and an MBA in Finance and Strategy from the University of Chicago. I live in Seattle with my wife and two daughters.
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Lauren Offenbecher, Secretary
Lauren Offenbecher
I serve as the Secretary of Kids Co. and the Director of Strategy Development and Implementation for Carrix, Inc. My husband and I are passionate about supporting our two young girls as they explore the world and take on new adventures in skiing, sailing, and anything that keeps them moving.
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Shanda Boyett
Shanda Boyett
I am a marketer with almost 20 years of experience working for companies such as Adobe, American Express, F5 Networks, Microsoft and Starbucks.
I believe in the power of storytelling. One of the reasons I joined the Kids Co board is because I believe they have a powerful story to tell and an incomparable place in our community. As the mother of a 3 ½ year old, I am hyper-aware of the childcare challenges that face working parents today. I am excited to be part of the group spreading the word about this great community resource.
Katrina Johnson
Katrina Johnson
Katrina Johnson, a local native to Seattle, joined the Kids Co. board in January of 2018. Katrina has been an active member in the Seattle community by volunteering her time with non-profits such as the Anunnaki Project (2008-2013) as an aerialist, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Cycle for Life Board (2014-2016), and The University of Washington Cheer Squad (2002-2006). Professionally, Katrina has been in the insurance industry since 2007. She is an Employee Benefits Producer and her responsibilities include: new sales; leading client relationships; providing creative, all‐encompassing solutions; managing and evaluating vendor relationships; creating pricing and funding strategies; evaluating plan data; and supporting legal compliance and governance strategies. Katrina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Washington. Katrina loves her family, travel and her community.
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Shawn Larsen-Bright
Shawn Larsen-Bright
I am a business litigation attorney and a partner with the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Seattle. My law practice focuses on complex corporate and commercial disputes. I have been a member of the Kids Co. board since 2008 and served as board chair from 2012-2015.
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Bart Wilson
Bart Wilson
I have been a part of the Kid Co. family since 2006, when I became their special consultant for tax and audit services. After a decade of professional ties, I retired from Bader Martin LLP, and soon joined the board to work with the company in an entirely different capacity by helping raise funds and providing organizational advice. Other than Kids Co., I’ve served on the boards of Childhaven and the Northwest Center. I live in NE Seattle with my wife and enjoy travel, handball, and helping the lives of the underserved.
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