Our Mission

Provide and advocate for quality affordable child care 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 15 throughout Seattle and Mercer Island. And why do our families love us?

15 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. Close Bio

NOW HIRING , HR Generalist

NOW HIRING , Development and Marketing Manager

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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Vanessa Kitchner, Regional Manager

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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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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Michael Scheinine, Accounting Manager

Michael Scheinine

I was born and raised next to the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Maryland. I started doing accounting when I was 14 years old for a friend’s company. I spend 10 year living and playing in Ketchum / Sun Valley, Idaho before moving to Los Angeles for 18 years where I started working for 2 different CPA firms as a business manager to people in the entertainment industry. In 2005 I decided to move to Seattle and have been working for non-profits ever since. I spend my free time doing a lot of photography and traveling.

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Katia Watson, Director of Finance

Katia Watson

I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, and received my undergraduate degree in International Business and Economics from Cedarville University in Ohio. My husband and I love the outdoors, so we happily relocated from the Midwest to Seattle in 2008. I have spent most of my career in non-profit healthcare finance, and now I am honored to work for Kids Co. We have two little girls, and as a working mom and a graduate student, I have firsthand understanding of how meaningful and precious quality childcare is. I am grateful that Kids Co. strives to fill that need in the Seattle area.

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Program Managers

Adam Foote
Program Director
Kids Co. at Decatur

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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NOW HIRING
Center Director
Gerleza Jackson, Interim Center Director Kids Co. at Graham Hill

Sarina Shames
Program Manager
Kids Co. at Magnolia

Sarina Shames

I am so excited to be a part of the Kids Co team! I was born and raised in Seattle, leaving to California for college to study psychology at California Polytechnic State University. Upon graduation, I worked for a few years at an organization that supports youth experiencing homelessness. I have always thoroughly enjoyed creating activities and lessons for children, which is why I decided to join Kids Co. My main values are ensuring that I am working through a youth-voice lens, with social justice and cultural competency at the center of my work. In my free time, I enjoy rock climbing, painting, and playing with my dog, Fig!

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LaFawnda Williams
Program Manager
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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Madison King
Program Manager
Kids Co. at TOPS

Madison King

My name is Madison and I am always eager to learn! I attended the University of Portland and one-day hope to become a high school English and/or Drama teacher. My favorite topics to explore are outer space, ancient civilizations, plants, and animals. I have a deep love for all living things, so I have been eating plant-based for a little over a year now. Outside of learning, I also enjoy reading, hiking, yoga, watching movies, singing and dancing. I believe that we should celebrate and embrace our differences (they’re what make us special!), and that we can always learn and grow from others. I try my best to live life like this: “Your mind is a garden; your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds.” Children are the future, and it is our responsibility to mold them into compassionate, caring, kind, and intelligent people. When we come together, we can accomplish anything!

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Sara Metcalfe
Program Manager
Kids Co. at Queen Anne

Sara Metcalfe

I was born and raised in Seattle. My grandma ran a licensed childcare out of my childhood home here on Queen Anne. It was because of her that I developed a passion for working with youth. In high school, I worked as a tutor and began seeking out ways to volunteer with children. I attended Western Washington University and graduated with a degree in the Psychology of Human Development with an endorsement in Elementary Education. After graduating, I found a place here at Queen Anne Elementary. Since 2013, I have worked in the K-1 classes as a tutor as well as working here at Kids Co.

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NOW HIRING
Program Manager
Kids Co. at Adams

NOW HIRING
Program Manager
Kids Co. at Cascadia

Gerleza Jackson
Future Program Director
Kids Co. at Cedar Park

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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NOW HIRING
Program Manager
Kids Co. at John Hay

NOW HIRING
Program Manager
Kids Co. at South Shore

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Joe Jornadal, 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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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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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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Board Members at Large

Jenna Bevilacqua

I’ve invested my entire career in healthcare finance, working at Overlake, Providence, MultiCare and UW Medicine in accounting, reimbursement and planning roles. Beginning in 2018, I took on the role as the Director of Finance for Overlake Medical Center and Clinics. During the course of my career, I’ve won two awards: (1) the first ever Finance Partnership award and (2) the quarterly Certificate of Recognition for Collaboration in Finance.

Born and raised in Renton and Issaquah, I graduated from Seattle University with her BA in Accounting and received her MBA from Western Governors University. I’m married to a wonderful man, Mike, who is from New York, which we consider our second home. Mike and I recently welcomed a beautiful golden retriever puppy, named Gracie, into our lives.

My favorite place to visit is Birch Bay where my extended family has several cabins where we spend time riding bikes or mopeds, building large sandcastles, taking long walks, reading books and visiting the C Shop. In the times before COVID, we enjoy traveling and having large UW football parties at our home.

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John Hoverson

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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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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Jessica Kolta

Jessica Kolta

I am a supply chain executive with over 22 years of experience leading complex business strategies and negotiations with key international and domestic suppliers in the aviation industry. I’m passionate about empowering women and I serve as a board member for WEConnect International, a non-profit which helps women-owned business succeed in global value chains. I believe in the mission of Kids Co. to provide quality affordable childcare for working families and I am a Kids Co. parent!

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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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Katy McNaughton

Katy McNaughton

I am the Co-Founder and Co-President of Village Life, which is a family owned home builder and land development company, creating thoughtfully designed communities in the North Puget Sound and Central Washington since 2010. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a BS in Business, I worked for Coast Real Estate Services in Everett, WA. I have been passionate about child education since working as a private tutor during college, and have volunteered with Catholic Community Services Youth Tutoring program, where I tutored for several years. Village Life donates a percentage of its profits each year to The McNaughton Foundation, our family’s foundation which focuses on at risk youth. My husband, daughter and I live in Shoreline, where we both grew up.

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