Staff
Administrative Staff
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
Jessica Schwartz
After growing up in New Jersey, I moved to Seattle in 2016 to complete my Masters of Public of Administration at the Evans School at UW. The daughter of a teacher, I am a strong advocate for quality education for all children. Literacy is one of my passions, and I have been involved with the International Dyslexia Association since 2008 as a volunteer, intern, employee, and board member. I am honored to work at Kids Co. with a wonderful team of dedicated, passionate, and caring individuals. I also enjoy board games, puzzles, escape rooms, and exploring Seattle and the beauty that surrounds us with my dog, Eska.
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Eric Borud
Drawn by lure and beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, I relocated to Seattle in 1998 and absolutely fell in love with living here. As someone who enjoys cycling, soccer, a strong community, the great outdoors, and a quality cup of coffee, what could be better? I was originally born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota. I earned my undergraduate degree in business from the University of Colorado, Boulder and have gone on to work in the field of human resources for more than 20 years. That time has included 5 years in the outdoors industry, 5 years working with kids in a non-profit, and 10 years in senior care. I am blessed to share my life with my wonderful wife, our young son, and our goofy dog. When I’m not at work you might find me coaching boys’ soccer, leading the Cub Scout troop, at a Sounders game, or camping somewhere near a river.
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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
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
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
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
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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Will Carlisle
My name is Will Carlisle, and I was born and raised in Seattle. I discovered my passion for working with youth in 2017 when I coached a high school soccer team as a favor for a friend, and I haven’t looked back since. I love working as a team, and I believe that everyone has unique gifts that contribute to the fabric of our community. I help my staff focus on their strengths, and I encourage them to bring their own passions and interests to the program to help expose our students to as many new concepts as possible. I believe in a fun, safe, equitable environment created with compassionate, consistent boundaries. Every day is a new opportunity, and I feel very fortunate to be able to spend my days here at Adams.
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Lauren Hurston
My name is Lauren, and I was born and raised here in Seattle. I found my passion for working with kids in High School and have been following it ever since! I’ve worked with birth – 12th grade and have enjoyed all of it, but elementary is by far my favorite. I care about working as a team to create a safe and welcoming environment where kids can have fun and be themselves! When I’m not at work, you can find me listening to Taylor Swift, reading, or playing Scrabble.
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Gabrielle Redwine
I have a passion for helping youth and assisting in academic achievement and developmental milestones. I love helping families and believe in empowerment through education. As an educational professional, I have taught infants through high school learners in child care and early learning sites for more than ten years. My experience has given me great insight into proper child care, guidance, and education. I hold a Master’s of Business Administration, with a specialization in leadership and project management, and two certificates in Early Learning Childhood Education. I base my program philosophy on team work, collaboration, encouragement, and supporting the optimal development of each child. I believe that children flourish academically, socially, and emotionally when learning is hands on, creative, and produces an environment that promotes growth mindset. My vision for South Shore is to be seen as a leader in providing the best of quality care for all children.
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Chris Martin
After earning my Ph.D. in English from the University of Washington, I took two years off to be a dad before returning to teaching. My professional focus is medieval literature, primarily 9th century Welsh-Latin texts. You may ask me about the Vita Alfredi at your peril! I’ve taught literature—from medieval to Shakespeare—and a variety of writing genres—creative, argumentative, and technical—at University of Washington, Seattle University, and Highline College. During my tenure as a part-time lecturer, I dove head-first into the world of school-age care to develop and run after-school enrichment in and around Seattle. Now, I have the awesome job of working with kids full-time and I couldn’t be more excited to show my passion and commitment to school-age care. While I’m not spending time with my family, skating, biking, and hiking, you can find me at the kitchen table, playing board games with friends.
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Denise Williams
My name is Denise Williams and I’m the program Director for Kids Co. at Magnolia. I started working with kids when I was just 15 years old! I grew up going to after-school programs, so I know how important that can be for students and families. Having worked in several child care programs, I am excited to finally be able to run my own program! I graduated from Northwest College of Art & Design majoring in Illustration and Video Game Design. If you ask my program kiddos what Ms. Denise’s favorite things are, they will tell you cats, makeup, and art! Working with kids has always been a passion of mine, and I am looking forward to what Kids Co. has to bring for me!
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Linda Lampely
I’m from Seattle, WA I grew up not too far from this Kids Co. Graham Hill location. I started working in child care during the summers at the age of 14. That’s when I found the love to work with children. At a young age I knew I wanted to teach children by helping them learn and grow. I’ve worked with many ages from 1 year olds to middle school.
What I love most about working with children is watching how each child have their own unique ways of learning. I like working with families and the community to create a positive, quality learning environment.
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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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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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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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Gerleza Chancie
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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