Stephanie Licata, ACC

Stephanie Licata, M.A. ACC  has been passionate about mentoring and guiding young people for almost two decades. After starting her career out in marketing while designing youth programming on the side, she then enjoyed a 10-year career teaching leadership, service, and character education to young women at the secondary school level.  Simultaneously, she became a consultant and coach, obtaining her coaching certification from NYU and through the International Coaching Federation. Stephanie also possesses a Masters in Social and Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. She is the Director of Programming at DailyWorth—the leading financial media company for women—and an active career and business coach through her company, SoundChange. As a Savvy Auntie to the world,  in 2013, Stephanie co-founded a young women's mentoring non-profit organization, Get Smart Mentoring. Get Smart mentors young women in need in the NY/NJ area and runs an international leadership development internship program that connects young adult women all over the world, mentoring them in personal and professional skills for lasting success. Interns also create motivational and educational content for Get Smart’s website and social media channels.

Christina Soriano

Christina is an artist, art teacher and blogger currently living and working in the East Village of New York City. As an elementary art teacher for seven years she has the natural ability to connect with young children and bring about the fullest expression of themselves through creative exercises and projects. The results are empowered, happy and successful artists!

When she’s not teaching you can find her doodling, strolling around the city at museums     and galleries, or writing for BELLA NYC and other blogs. She is a Savvy Auntie to her beloved nephews Simon and Benny (aka Sime and Ben-Ben).

For more information visit www.christinasoriano.com or follow her on twitter and instagram @sorianodesigns.

Sarah Kaufman

Sarah Kaufman is editor-in-chief of The Manilla Folder at Manilla.com, the leading, free and secure service that lets consumers manage and share all of their bills and accounts in one place online and via mobile apps. She's also a regular contributor to Yahoo! Finance, The Huffington Post, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Motley Fool and other major sites. Sarah has a master's degree in journalism from New York University and a bachelor's degree in English writing, political science and studio arts from the University of Pittsburgh. She is excited to help readers understand the benefits of Manilla so that managing their lives is as easy and as efficient as possible. Feel free to email Sarah with questions about Manilla, and follow her on Google+ and Twitter.

Katie Champion Riley

Katie Champion Riley, media relations manager for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), works to promote the professional interests of the more than 140,000 occupational therapy practitioners, educators, and students in the media. She offers occupational therapists’ tips and strategies to help all aunties and their families live life to its fullest.

Occupational therapy practitioners work with clients across the lifespan to help them the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities (occupations). Among other things, occupational therapy practitioners teach babies in the  NICU to eat and swallow, help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder overcome social challenges, aid adults in returning to work following an injury, and help older adults maintain their independence as they age. To learn more about occupational therapy, visit www.aota.org, follow @AOTAIncPR, or find us on Facebook.

Before making the switch to public relations, Katie spent nearly 8 years with The Gazette newspaper group, a subsidiary of The Washington Post, covering suburban Maryland holding multiple positions including intern, reporter, copy editor, and finally managing     editor.  She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the PRSA     Maryland Chapter, and the Journalism and Women’s Symposium (JAWS). She writes and     speaks regularly about promoting occupational therapy in the media and using social     media to advance the profession. She has garnered media exposure on national venues     such as The Today Show, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Parents, The Los     Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and NPR, just to name a few.

Katie lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., with her husband Rick, son Rickey and     daughter McKenna. She is an aunt to one nephew (and an honorary auntie to many, many more!)

Brianne Spinelli

Brianne Spinelli has been writing for Savvy Auntie since August 2012.

After graduating from William Paterson University of New Jersey where she studied English Literature and Early Childhood Education, Brianne spent some time copywriting   before becoming a full-time Auntie to her niece and nephew, Alexis and Lucas.

A life-long lover of pop culture, Brianne has taken her love of pop music, especially boy    bands, through to adulthood and subsequently, into aunthood. She loves to write on this topic, and draws her inspiration from conversations with her oldest niece, Julia.

Natalie Robinson Garfield

Natalie Robinson Garfield has been a practicing Psychotherapist in New York City and Long Island for thirty years, specializing in parent-child education.  Holding a degree in Infant and Toddler development and administration, Garfield has had an extensive career working in individual, couple, family and group therapy.  THE SENSE CONNECTION, based on the theory of sense channel hierarchy, draws on her experience working with private patients and conducting large conferences, discussion groups and workshops.  Additionally, Garfield has studied Jungian analysis, existential psychotherapy, focusing, meditation and breathing techniques, and sleeping techniques.

Garfield was part of the New Age movement in the 1970s, working with The Association for Humanistic Psychology, which sought to move toward a more aware and humane global society. She also designed and directed various programs within the Children’s Aid Society, which provided education for families about subjects ranging from childbirth preparation through parenting.  Garfield has also served on the United Nations Commission for the International Year of the Child, bringing awareness to problems such as malnutrition and lack of educational access, affecting children around the world.  
 
She has had over forty years experience as a consultant, supervising and training staff for various institutions, including AT&T, American Express, The Gesell Institute for Child Development, The Montefiore Medical Residency Program, The Gestalt Learning Center, and the Kings County District Attorney’s office.  

Garfield is a founding member of the Association for Parent Education and is a featured expert on various television documentaries, network news and radio shows, such as WYNY, CBS Documentary, CBS Evening News, Current Affair Extra, and ABC Eyewitness News.  She is also frequently interviewed by news media such as New York Magazine, Self, Working Woman, Cosmopolitan and Parents Magazine.  She lives and works in New York City.

Sherry Ott

Sherry Ott is a refugee from corporate IT who is now a professional traveler, blogger and photographer. Sherry has been blogging about her travels on Ottsworld: Travel and Life Experiences of a Corporate America Runaway since 2006. She’s a co-founder of Meet, Plan, Go!, a website and national event offering career break or sabbatical travel inspiration and advice to mid career professionals.

While on a career break she traveled around the world to over 23 countries primarily solo armed with her camera. Since her career break, she has spent a year living and working in Vietnam, wrote an ebook about her hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal with her father, traveled the globe house-sitting, participated in cultural exchange programs in the Middle East, drove 10,000 miles from London to Mongolia in order to raise money for the Mongol Rally charity, walked the across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, and co-created Career Break Basic Training online class & community. Sherry’s latest adventures are taking her around the world with her nieces as part of the Niece Project. Her unusual lifestyle and career was recently featured on Travel and Escape in a series about the "New Nomads." She continues to seek out adventurous unique opportunities to challenge herself and inspire people to overcome their fears and reap the benefits of travel.

Jason Miller

Rabbi Jason Miller is an entrepreneurial rabbi and a "Rabbi Without Borders" whose personal blog (http://blog.rabbijason.com) has been viewed by hundreds of thousands. The Detroit Free Press called him “the most tech-savvy Jewish leader in metro Detroit" and the Huffington Post ranked him among the top Jewish Twitter users in the world. A social media expert, Rabbi Jason is a popular speaker and writer on technology and its effect on the Jewish world. He writes the "Jewish Techs" blog for The Jewish Week and the monthly "Jews in the Digital Age" column for the Detroit Jewish News.

Rabbi Jason Miller is the president of Access Computer Technology, a computer tech support and social media marketing company based in Michigan. He won the 2012 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and is one of the winners of a Jewish Influencer award from the National Jewish Outreach Program.

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media (@CommonSenseNews) is committed to helping kids and families thrive in a world of media and technology.

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. We exist because our kids are growing up in a culture that profoundly impacts their physical, social, and emotional well-being. We provide families with the advice and media reviews they need in order to make the best choices for their children. Through our education programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents, educators, and young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens. For more information, go to: www.commonsense.org.

Nancy Berk

Nancy Berk, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, comic, author and social behavior expert.

Nancy Berk, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, award-winning humorist, and author of College Bound and Gagged: How To Help Your Kid Get Into A Great College Without Losing Your Savings, Your Relationship, or Your Mind. She speaks and writes extensively about social behavior, health and wellness, parenting, and surviving family milestones like the college-bound process. A comic, professor and parent, she is a blogger for The Huffington Post, USA TODAY College, and MORE Magazine. She hosts the podcasts Whine At 9 and College Mom Minute, and co-hosts the new series “The College-Bound Chronicles.”

Amie Valpone

Amie Valpone is Editor-in-Chief of TheHealthyApple.com and a Manhattan based Culinary Nutritionist.

Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP, Editor-in-Chief of TheHealthyApple.com is a Manhattan based Culinary Nutritionist, Personal Chef, Professional Recipe Developer and Food Writer specializing in simple Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free ‘Clean’ recipes for the home cook. Visit Amie on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Amie's work can be seen on The Food Network, The Huffington Post, Martha Stewart Whole Living, Web MD, Kiwi Magazine and many more.

Anne McAlpin

Anne McAlpin is the Packing Expert and author of Pack It Up, The Essential Guide to Organized Travel.

"If you want to get away from it all, don’t take it all with you!” That’s the down-to-earth approach to packing light Packing Expert Anne McAlpin likes to take. Anne’s packing and travel secrets have captivated audiences at her personal presentations and on national TV. Her appearances as a guest on Oprah®, CNN®, The Today Show® and PBS have reached millions of viewers. Author of Pack It Up, The Essential Guide to Organized Travel and Key Note Speaker Anne spans the globe, teaching travelers the inside secrets on packing perfectly. She has flown more than 2 million miles, traveled in over 67 countries & cruised through the Panama Canal 98 times! For additional information on Anne, please visit www.packitup.com.

Dr Leigh Vinocur

Dr. Leigh Vinocur is a board certified emergency physician and national spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians. Currently she is serving on faculty as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, at Louisiana State University Health Science Center, School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana. For more on Dr. Vinocur visit www.drleigh.com

As an emergency physician, Dr. Vinocur says, “I don’t always get to practice preventative medicine. All too often I see patients after the fact, once they are already injured or ill. That is why I love my adjunct broadcast career so much. I look at it as a public health initiative  because I can proactively help people manage their health and wellness before an emergency occurs.”

She has been a medical broadcaster for over 10 years, starting her broadcast career in 1998 as consultant and medical reporter for Baltimore’s NBC affiliate, WBAL TV and the NBC News Channel. She was a familiar voice on WBAL radio Monday mornings with Dave Durian, She still appears regularly on the national cable network the Fox News Channel and the popular syndicated Dr. Oz Show. She is a health contributor and columnist for the widely read online newspaper the Huffington Post. She is seen on numerous other national media outlets as a medical expert, shows such as CNN’s House Calls and the Nancy Grace Show, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, Inside Edition, the Fox Business Network as well as ABC News and the CBS Early Show. She developed and hosts an Internet radio show on emergency medicine sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians. She co-hosted a mini series on alternative medicine with Dr. Kevin Soden on Comcast’s Retirement Living Network. She wrote a monthly column for the Examiner newspaper chain and still contributes articles to the Savvy Auntie website and the Dr. Oz website as one of their medical experts.

Dr Vinocur say she loves emergency medicine because, “Emergency medicine is really a microcosm of society as a whole. As an ER doctor I treat all the medical problems and social ills we see in modern life, problems related to obesity, smoking, teen pregnancy, drug abuse, mental illness and domestic violence. And while the emergency room allows me to affect change only one patient at a time, when I speak on TV and radio or write about these issues I get to affect a broader change, impacting health throughout a whole community!”

Both broadcasting and emergency medicine are more similar than different. In both disciplines she states,“You have to be ready to handle any patient or breaking news that comes through the door! Both requireyou to think fast on your feet, which has served me well on live TV and talk radio! And I feel fortunate to beable to use my medical expertise in this way.”

Janice Marie Simon

Janice Marie Simon, M.A., is a Project Director for Faculty Development at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Ms. Simon has worked as a newspaper journalist in Oklahoma and Texas and as a media coordinator for a public school district before joining M.D. Anderson. As a project director, she handles the planning for all of the department’s Faculty Development events and is a professional organizer. As an organizer, she makes presentations on organizing and time management and offers one-on-one organizing sessions for clients.

She is a Certified Professional Organizer® and a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Visit her blog at www.theclutterprincess.com.

Stephanie Baffone

Stephanie Baffone, LPCMH, NCC is a licensed, board certified mental health therapist and the author of the wildly popular newspaper column, "Ask Aunt Steph," where she responds to readers' questions on issues related to love and loss.

She is in private practice with a specialty in grief and loss, couples counseling and
issues related to infertility. Prior to going back into private practice, Stephanie worked
as the coordinator of the children’s grief and loss program at the largest hospice in the
state of Delaware where she had the distinct privilege of supporting and guiding children
whose loved ones were dying from terminal illnesses.

Stephanie is a consultant to other agencies developing programs on grief and loss and is thrilled to be an expert columnist at Webby Award-nominated SavvyAuntie.com on the very same issues.

In addition to wife of husband who loves her like you see in the movies she is “Mom” to two dogs and two goats and “Aunt Steph,” (by relation) to forty-one nieces and nephews. She is working on a memoir, Doris, Sophia and Me: A Memoir About A Mother Who Didn’t Live Long Enough and A Daughter Who Was Never Born.

Stephanie is a proud graduate of Villanova University, a member of The American Counseling Association, National Board of Certified Counselors, RESOLVE, and the American Academy of Bereavement. Stephanie has been featured and used as a trusted source in print, radio and television media including, The Huffington Post, Counseling Today, First for Women Magazine, Easy Living Magazine (UK), MORE Magazine (Canada May 2011), Savvy Auntie: The Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers, and all Women Who Love Kids (William Morrow 2011), Blog Talk Radio, CN8 and WHYY.

Lisa Kothari

Specializing in kids' parties, Lisa has based her ambition on helping parents throw the best party for their children without the added stress that planning a party often creates.

In the past ten years Lisa has organized hundreds of parties for children of different ages using a vast array of inventive themes, in Washington D.C., New York City, and Seattle.

Her main party planning belief is that no matter the budget or amount of time a parent has, an incredible party can always be thrown, keeping children cheerful and parents (and Aunties!) stress-free during their wonderfully planned celebration!

Her passion is helping people achieve this with minimal time and effort. Lisa is the founder of Peppersandpollywogs.com.

Karen Gallagher

After fourteen years in benefits management and consulting, Karen made a radical change in her career by starting her own business. The Lollipop Book Club specializes in the gift of high quality books as a way for friends and relatives to connect with children.

Karen has harbored a passion for children’s books her entire life, from the classics she remembers reading as a child herself to newly released titles she enjoys sharing with her own children and nephews, and everything in between.  When the concept of The Lollipop Book Club took form, Karen spent two years researching the best children’s books on the market, which is a continuous task as new books are written, new authors are published, and new awards are granted.

Through her business, she thoroughly enjoys bringing adults and children together with the amazing books for children she has discovered.  Whether her customers want to share a giggle with a child, address a specific topic like adoption or bullying, or simply want to cultivate a love for reading, Karen helps to make this happen every day.

Karen earned her Bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and her MBA from Rider University.  She resides in Yardley, PA with her husband and three children.

 

Stephanie Lichten

I always knew I’d become a pediatrician, although I never knew I’d take the exact route I did to get here. I completed my bachelors at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and then moved to Chicago for medical school to study at Rush Medical College.  There I focused my energy on pediatrics and was fortunate enough to move to New York for residency at Jacobi Medical Center, in the Bronx.  At Jacobi, I fulfilled my three years of residency requirement and was offered the Chief Resident position. Following, they asked me to stay on as faculty as pediatric hospitalist.

Working in the inner city has afforded me a wonderful opportunity to see a variety of diseases, help where it is needed most, and really make a difference in children’s lives.  In addition I am able to teach residents every day.  But not only am I board certified pediatrician, I am a Savvy Auntie to my brother’s three most amazing children, and several very close friends’ children.  Unfortunately, they all live out of town, which isn’t surprising since I’m not a native New Yorker, but I am able to visit frequently.

Please feel free to ask many pediatric questions as you may have - I know my friends and family always do!  Just add your questions to the Comments section below my articles. Please remember: no question is a stupid question!

Jeannine Mercurio

Jeannine Mercurio, MS, is a Counseling Astrologer who specializes in helping individuals achieve their goals in relationships, health and work. She holds a BA in the Classics from New York University, a MS in Education from Hunter College, and has completed coursework in the MA program in Counseling Psychology at New York University. She is a certified yoga teacher and has been a NYC teacher and choreographer for K-12.  She is a member of the NCGR, C.G. Jungian Institute of New York and American Counseling Association.  She is a contributing writer to Constellation Magazine and is presently studying Mythology and Writing at the New School. She has completed coursework in Depth Psychology under James Hillman at Pacifica Graduate Institute.  She has participated in Bereavement Care Trainings at Long Island University and has assisted workshops on Grief and Traumatic Loss at Family Victims of Homicide Program in NY.

For astrology readings, Jeannine can be reached through her website, JeannineMercurio.com.

Julie Negrin

Julie Negrin, MS, is a certified nutritionist with a passion for teaching people how to cook their way to better health and the proud auntie of Josh and Daniel (ages 6 and 3) and Gabriella and Meital (ages 5 and 2). During her ten years as a nutritionist and culinary expert, she has taught hundreds of children and adults how to cook nutritious, mouthwatering meals. Julie discovered how natural it is to introduce kids to healthful food through cooking and enjoys watching her young students transform into mini epicures. She has developed many family-friendly recipes for kids that use a wide range of fresh ingredients and are easy for little fingers to prepare.

Julie's work has been featured in newspapers, magazines, radio programs and on CBS Nightly News with Katie Couric. She has been a guest chef at Williams-Sonoma, on NY1, and with Al Roker on The Today Show.

Learn more about Julie at www.julienegrin.com

Beth Rosenberg

Beth Rosenberg is an education consultant in New York City who specializes in projects related to special needs, art and technology.  She is an adjunct professor at two universities in NYC and has consulted for numerous organizations including: The JCC-Manhattan, The Builders Association, The Rockwell Group, International Curators Incorporated, The New York City Department of Education, etc.  She previously held education and publication staff positions at Eyebeam, an art and technology center in NYC and The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.

Beth is the mom of two school-age children—one who has special needs. She can be reached at bbethr@gmail.com

Rhonda Davis

Rhonda Davis, a speech and language pathologist with a private practice in New York City, has been working with children since she received her Master’s Degree from Montclair State College in 1991. In her work, Rhonda specializes in children who are having academic difficulties due to underlying language weaknesses. Her approach is family-centered and highly individualized. Rhonda is a member of the American Speech Language Hearing Association, the International Dyslexia Society, and the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology. Rhonda may be reached at Rhonda@speechlanguagenyc.com.

Amy R. Moses

Recently launched, www.BallooningNestEggs.com is full of practical yet “out of the nest” ideas for close family – including aunties – to grow youngsters’ wealth and encourage them to dive into investing, entrepreneurship, charitable giving and economics.

The site seeks to disrupt the notion that building youngsters’ nest eggs is strictly a close family affair and connecting kids to their money – and broader economic and global world – is more akin to homework than play time.

It brings much-needed fun and imagination to these topics, making them relevant to kids' lives (as well as yours).  The current site represents the first phase of many exciting things to come.

Previously, Amy spent 20+ years leading business development and marketing initiatives for major media and entertainment brands (Turner Broadcasting and NFL Properties), including her most recent stint founding and heading an industry-leading boutique firm with a roster of blue-chip media clients.

She earned her BA from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Amy is also the doting aunt to 5 spirited nieces and nephews, who are her “guinea pigs” for and periodic contributors to Ballooning Nest Eggs.  Amy seeks to inspire them to one day take the leap into the madcap start-up world.

Savvy Auntie Kids Band

Sharon Wolfe on vocals, Matt Leshetz on percussion and Steve Antosofsky on piano, make up the Savvy Auntie Kids Band!

Darlynn Morgan

Darlynn has her own law practice, Morgan Law Group, in Newport Beach. She is also a Personal Family Lawyer™ with the Family Wealth Planning Institute, an organization whose mission is to teach parents (and aunties!) how to prepare the children they love to receive wealth and use that wealth to positively impact the world.

Darlynn makes it easy for families to talk about and plan for tough subjects like money, death and taxes.  Darlynn is a savvy auntie herself, and loves her “nephs” Jacob and Andrew.  So she understands the importance of making sure that aunts do what they can to protect the children they love as well as plan ahead for themselves, both legally and financially.

She has received all kinds of awards including recognition as a Super Lawyer in Los Angeles Magazine, and as one of Orange County’s “Top 40 Business Professionals Under 40” in 2009.

Darlynn lives in southern California with her husband Gary and Max, their king charles cavalier.  She spends most holidays, vacations, and many weekends with the nephews.

Stacie Krajchir

Stacie Krajchir is the founder and creator of The Bungalow PR, a fashion, and beauty and lifestyle public relations firm based in Los Angeles.

Stacie is auntie to 3 ½ year old Jack (future Dodgers starting Pitcher  2026) and delicious one year old Cole Riley  (future Ladies Man).  Her BFF, fellow Auntie and shopping, mani-pedi partner in crime is Karen.

Stacie worked as a television producer for 12 years. Her experience ranges from working morning TV to producing an Emmy winning consumer and cooking show at NBC in San Francisco. In 2000 she moved to Los Angeles, as a producer at Extra where produced all the style, fashion and beauty segments as well as celebrity interviews and spend many nights on the red carpet. Stacie launched two shows for The Style Network: You're Invited a home entertaining show and Area a home design show.

Chronicle Books published Stacie's first two books in 2003; she is currently working on a super cool kids book. She is a contributing lifestyle/trend expert and has been featured in The Washington Post, New York Times, Smart Money Magazine, CNN, Pink, Real Simple, Maxim, Esquire and Vanity Fair magazines. Stacie is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and a consulting producer on coolmom.com.

Having been born and raised on the very small island of Guam she is an island girl through and though-- Stacie was an auntie as early as age 9 to her younger cousins and has learned everything from her own amazing aunties!
 
Stacie is a painter; her work can be viewed here.  In 2007 she launched The See and Sprout Project, a creative collective, international exchange art workshop for youth in Khao Lak Thailand affected by the 2004 Asian tsunami. She is currently teaching Jack and Cole to love the surf.

Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer

NaturallySavvy.com is a website dedicated to living a natural, organic and green lifestyle. As co-founders, Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer, are passionate about living a naturally healthy lifestyle and educating others on its benefits. As Aunties, Andrea and Randy know the importance of raising healthy children. Andrea has four nieces and three nephews and Randy has three nephews and one niece. To reach Andrea and Randy, or to read more, visit www.NaturallySavvy.com.

Melina Gerosa Bellows

Melina Gerosa Bellows is the Chief Creative Officer for Kids and Family, Global Media, for National Geographic.

Formerly the Executive Vice President of Children’s Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Kids, Bellows redesigned and re-launched Kids, the fastest growing children’s publication. She launched the magazine National Geographic Little Kids for preschoolers and their parents, which has a circulation of 200,000. In addition, she revamped the feel of National Geographic’s books for kids.

Previously, Bellows was a Senior Editor at Ladies’ Home Journal magazine, where she wrote and negotiated the monthly celebrity cover stories. Her subjects included Oprah Winfrey, Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster and Michelle Pfeiffer, among others.

Bellows has also been a staff writer for Entertainment Weekly and Premiere magazines, and has freelanced for The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Family Life, Family Circle, More, The Washingtonian, and Elle. Bellows is the author of the new Nat Geo Amazing!: 100 People, Places, and Things That Will Wow You.

She has written The Fun Book (Simon & Schuster, 1998), The Fun Book for Couples (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2003), the novel Wish (New American Library, 2005) The Fun Book for Moms (Andrews McMeel, 2007), and next year’s edition of The Fun Book for Friends (Andrew McMeel, 2009).

She has appeared on such television shows as “The Today Show,” “CNN,” “The View,” “Good Day New York,” “Fox and Friends,” and most recently, “The Today Show”.

A graduate of the Boston College’s Honors Program, Bellows lives in Washington, D.C. with her two children Chase and Mackenzie.

Yolanda "Shoshi" Shoshana

Y olanda Shoshana "Shoshi" is a lifestyle provocateur that arouses people to think and take action to live a luscious life. She is a multi -platform media personality, courtesan coach™, sex goddess, perfume creatrix, love maker, wedding officiant, and new thought speaker in New York City known as the "Luscious Lifestyle Diva". Shoshi works with women around the world and is spreading a luscious life revolution. She is also a popular expert on radio and television shows for seduction, love, sex, and relationships.

Stephanie M. Kim

Stephanie M. Kim is a graduate of New York University, where she studied journalism and film & TV producing. Her work has appeared on Goodhousekeeping.com, Fangoria.com and BravoTv.com.

A pop culture junkie and book enthusiast, Stephanie loves writing about film & TV by night and working at HarperCollins Publishers by day.

Stephanie is a former Associate Editor of SavvyAuntie.com and the proud Long-Distance Auntie (LDA) by Relation to her niece Allison!

Wendy Garfield

Up and coming designer Wendy Garfield, owner of La Strada – Meuble, Objet, Décor, started her business just a few years ago and is already getting noticed.  Wendy was featured twice in The Boulevard (Long Island’s premiere celebrity lifestyle magazine), and more recently in LI Newsday (April 29, 2011) House Magazine, Builder & Remodeler Magazine, and the Long Island Builder’s Institute (LIBI) House & Home magazine.  In November 2010, Wendy won the Diamond LIBI award for Interior Design, placing her among the country’s top building professionals.    
                                                                                                                                
Unlike other designers, Wendy’s approach to decorating is a unique one. The Montreal native, who is self-taught and who grew up in the business (her mother owns a home décor shop in Montreal), is also a professional opera singer. She performs regularly across Long Island, and has also been heard singing on New York radio.

Wendy applies the same skills from her extensive musical background to design.  “There isn’t much difference between singing Opera and designing a room,” says Wendy.  “In Opera, we work with color the same way we do in design.  We strive for beauty and perfection in very much the same way we strive for these things when designing a space.  The composer tells us how to interpret a piece…in design the composer becomes the client.  It is then my job to interpret my client’s needs and to create beautiful spaces that seem effortless to implement.”

For more information, please visit:

http://www.lastradadecor.com
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=155578904454794

Melanie Linn Gutowski

Melanie Linn Gutowski is a freelance writer and editor from Pittsburgh with more than 20 years of childcare experience. She is also an avid Francophile and Gilded Age historian.

Though she wears many hats in life, among her favorite roles are those of Godmother to Elizabeth Ann and Auntie By Choice to Emmy and Duncan.

Melanie is a former Associate Editor of SavvyAuntie.com.

Amy Shigo

Amy Shigo grew up around sports and although she imagined she'd be an Olympic-caliber kickball player, she didn't truly discover her athletic ability and the deep appreciation for participating in sports, games and fitness until her mid-thirties when she was already ten years into a sports journalism career.  Having interviewed the world's greatest athletes for ESPN, The National Hockey League and Oxygen Sports, she heard many inspiring and motivational stories, but it was the encouragement and belief of one person that got her "in the game."  She is not great at anything, some days she's not even good, but she is willing to try and has found happiness in the effort and strength in knowing what her body can do.  

She is a 4-time Ironman finisher, has run marathons and half-marathons all over the world and climbed to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Her next goal - mastering the monkey bars!  Join her for some "Big Fun" and let's play...All Sorts of Sports!

Dawn Lerman

Dawn Lerman / AKA The Snacking Mama
Auntie Knows Best

Dawn Lerman, Magnificent Mommies founder, MA, NYU LCAT, CH.H.C, AADP is a holistic health expert, certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and is a graduate of The Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Dawn became involved in nutrition at the young age of 9, as she watched her 450-pound dad struggle with obesity and yo-yo dieting. As an actress for many years, Dawn saw her peers struggle with weight and self esteem issues. Helping people with their food issues has always been second nature to Dawn. However when Dawn's father was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, she said good bye to acting and realized her real calling was in wellness and health.

Dawn’s background in acting and motivational speaking has helped her to coach countless clients to lead healthier lives and to help them acknowledge what foods work for them while easily adopting common-sense healthy habits.

Dawn’s mission is to bring nutrition back into the kitchen and help people avoid unforeseen health issues. To this end, Dawn writes for the Well blog of the New York Times, leads cooking classes and nutrition workshops for kids and adults throughout the country. In addition, Dawn sits on the board o Experts of Skyn Iceland cosmetics and Kiwi sweat and  is co-author of the highly successful book, The 12 Step Plan to Acting in L.A. and is the mother of two healthy and happy children and the aunt of a teenage nephew going through major puberty issues.

Paul Govan

Paul Govan www.gamepeople.co.uk is working out how to fit playing games around a fun filled family life. Three kids under five makes for some hectic times. But it's all worthwhile on rainy Saturdays or late sunny Sundays, bunkered down together for some quality family gaming time.

J.L. Knopp

J.L Knopp is a freelance writer and blogger and an "auntie" to thirteen, including a set of twins and a precious special-needs godson.  She also spent two years mentoring teens and leading a youth program in the Shenandoah Valley before beginning her journey as Mom to three of her own precocious children.  Although she received her BA in music and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Eastern University in 1998, J.L. has acquired most of her expertise from instruction in the School of Hard Knocks.  These powerful lessons, in conjunction with the children that love her, have taught her that laughter really is the best medicine for some of the curve balls that life throws at all of us.
 
In her freetime, J.L. enjoys blogging about her penchant for Mickey Mouse and her hilarious mission to indoctrinate her loved ones into Disney culture.  Bringing laughter and tears alike to her readers, her website -- thedisneydrivenlife.com -- not only allows fellow Disneyphiles to come along for the rollercoaster ride of her life but also organize themselves in solidarity.  And J.L. is always on the lookout for more NDAs (Neurotic Disney Aunties) to join the ranks of her growing community.

Becky Wenner

Becky Wenner has been a fitness enthusiast all her life. She began participating in competitive sports as a young child and has competed in events such as soccer, track and field and swimming as a young girl. Becky is a practicing attorney who rediscovered her love of competitive sports as an adult while trying to better her health and well-being. This newfound discovery led her to participate in five fitness/figure competitions, a sprint triathlon and an Adventure Race!

After graduating from Hofstra School of Law, Becky successfully practiced law for 7 years. Her love of fitness, competitive sports and general dissatisfaction with the legal profession helped her make the decision to follow her heart and open Becky's Fitness Company. Now she seeks to help other women take control of their life, get healthy, happy and fit!

Becky is certified as an Adventure Boot Camp Instructor and Fitness Nutrition Coach by the National Exercise and Sports Training Association (NESTA). Rebecca also holds other training certificates including Personal Training Certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and Group Fitness Instruction from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). She also holds her certification in kickboxing from AFAA and she is CPR and AED certified.

Becky is dedicated to helping others pursue and achieve their goals for improved health and fitness and a more active lifestyle. Becky’s Fitness Company was designed to take her love of food, fitness and fun and bring it to others to enjoy! Most recently, Becky became a Certified Personal Fitness Chef through NESTA.

Becky currently teaches aerobics and group fitness classes for many prestigious fitness clubs and spas throughout New York City. She has been featured and quoted in several publications including the Miami Fitness Examiner, Bayside Times, Queens Courier, Tribune, and currently holds the post of Health and Wellness editor of Young Muscle Magazine. Becky has also appeared on Good Day New York with Mike Woods.

Stephanie Leigh Cion

Stephanie Cion, founder and CEO of WELLalarm, was working as a healthcare executive at Aetna when she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called CIDP in 2005.  Upon her recovery, Stephanie used her background in venture capital and medical technology to design and launch WELLalarm™.

Getting sick inspired her to launch a business.

Shortly after she started treatment she had a very scary and life-threatening experience; she had a severe adverse reaction to her first round of treatment while at her office. Had she not been on the phone with my oncologist at the time the reaction occurred she most likely would have collapsed and died as no one knew the extent of her condition - let alone how to help her.  What a wake up call!  She realized that she needed something that would speak for her in case she couldn't speak for herself. After much research, she came to the upsetting conclusion that there was no efficient way to communicate ones vital medical information whenever and wherever it is needed, not to mention the antiquated and unappealing medical jewelry offerings available on the market. WELLalarm is the first and only technologically sophisticated emergency alert system that combines the power of technology with modern, luxury ID jewelry and products to protect the lives of all children and the millions of people living with severe allergies and life threatening medical conditions.

Stephanie attended The Dalton School, The George Washington University and New York University’s graduate program for Healthcare Finance and Policy. Prior to attending graduate school at NYU, Stephanie worked in venture capital specializing in medical devices, wireless, and infrastructure technology and as an executive in enterprise strategy at Aetna. She serves as a member of the MIT Enterprise Forum of NYC for the past 3 years and has chaired a number of healthcare events for them. Stephanie has written a number of articles on healthcare technology and currently blogs and vlogs about relevant healthcare issues, the changing face of chronic illness, and the challenges of living with a chronic illness.  She has unparalleled expertise in the healthcare industry, and is committed to empowering consumers to take control of their health and wellness.

Today, Stephanie is on the other side of the acute portion of her illness and remains passionate about empowering people to take control of their health and wellness and giving them the peace of mind they deserve. She is extremely proud to say that WELLalarm has already saved lives and looks forward to saving many more.

Fertility Ties

FertilityTies.com is an online community devoted to providing support, tools, medical information, and guidance needed for those trying to conceive and/or going through infertility.

FertilityTies.com was created as a place to share your knowledge and experience with others, learn from experts and members alike, and most importantly, find support from those who have experienced the joys of childbirth and from those who have faced similar difficulties trying to get there. We are very excited to empower you with information.

What is FertilityTies.com?
A Community For Everyone:
A place where you can talk about anything you want regardless of your gender, religious beliefs and/or sexual preference. Everyone here shares the same goal of wanting a family.
24/7/365 Support Center:
At any time of the day or night, you can log in to FertilityTies.com and chat with other members for support, post your questions for our experts, write your journal, and much more.
Supporters and Advisors, Ask questions for FREE:
Medical advisors to share their knowledge and to answer your questions
Find a Doctor:
Find a doctor near you. Read Recommendations and Reviews.
Latest News:
Live news feeds to keep you up to date on developments relevant to Fertility issues.

Jeff Cutler

Striving for the title of "Favorite Uncle," Jeff uses gifts, event tickets and personal attention to influence and softly brainwash his five nieces and nephews into unabashed admiration and awe.

A graduate of Northeastern University's School of Journalism, Jeff is spending 2008 on a writing sabbatical. During this sabbatical, Jeff is creating Web content for his online journals - jeffcutler.com, bowlofcheese.com, thingstoworryabout.com - and is contributing columns and articles to news organizations and consumer magazines.

Jeff is the author of Mountain Bike America: Boston (2000, Globe-Pequot Press) and he writes from his bungalow just south of Boston, MA.

Galia Gichon

For more than fourteen years, Galia Gichon has been helping consumers and professionals understand the world of finance and wise personal money management.

In the late 1990's, Ms. Gichon sold exclusive financial conferences to senior executives of top investment managers in the United States and Europe, for Institutional Investor. Previously, she spent six years writing financial research for top investment banks Bear Stearns and Nomura Securities. Ms. Gichon earned an MBA in Finance from Fordham University in New York City. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Florida and Series 7 and 63 NASD licenses, demonstrating her mastery of investing and finance.

Galia Gichon launched Down-to-Earth Finance to demystify personal finance, money management and investing for individuals—particularly women—who have found money matters baffling and intimidating. She presents seminars and does one-on-one consultations that help people get closer to their financial goals by creating spending and savings plans, phasing out debts and mapping out realistic investment strategies.

She has made featured appearances and/or contributed to numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, Sirius Radio Network, Smartmoney.com, MSN Money.com, Ladies Home Journal (lhj.com), Working Today, New York Daily News, Media Bistro and Real Simple Magazine.

Ms. Gichon serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) New York City chapter.

Cheryl Stein

Coaches help people make changes in their lives and help them to become their best. Cheryl Stein, M.A, is a Coach and Consultant helping clients across Unites States and Canada with change.

As principal of Stein Consulting and Coaching, Cheryl has helped countless businesses and individuals to transform. Trained as an Evidence Based Coach from Fielding Graduate University, she works both as a personal coach helping her clients with career and life transitions, and as a business coach helping people to achieve their best. Cheryl is an Associate Certified Coach, a credential that is designated by the International Coach Federation. Cheryl writes a weekly coaching column and offers expert coaching advice for people seeking a meaningful work life on Monster.ca, the Canadian job search site. Her articles focus on the power of the individual to make choices that are in alignment with their personal goals.

As a family business consultant, Cheryl draws on over twenty years of experience in a family business as well as a Masters Degree in Organizational Management and Development to help family businesses with transitions and change. She specializes in strategic planning, leadership development, succession planning, and family communication. She works with families to help them maximize their business potential and to create the conditions for effective teamwork.
 
Cheryl holds a B.A. in English Literature from McGill University in Montreal and her Masters from Fielding Graduate University.
 
Cheryl lives in Montreal with her husband and children and is an Aunt to two nephews and one niece. She is anxiously awaiting the birth of another nephew in late 2008.

Alexis Martin Neely

Alexis Martin Neely is the Personal Family Lawyer you love.  As the founder of the Family Wealth Planning Institute, the bestselling author of "Wear Clean Underwear! A Fast, Fun, Friendly  - and Essential - Guide to Legal Planning for Busy Parents," and the creator of www.KidsProtectionPlan.com, Alexis' mission is to revolutionize the world of financial and estate planning for families and change the way Americans think about lawyers.  After experiencing the devastation of documents only legal work and the impact of a failed estate plan in her own family and then discovering that is the norm today, Alexis knew she had to teach lawyers and families how to plan with a whole different perspective.  Her passion for changing the industry's standard has earned her recognition as a Super Lawyer Rising Star in Los Angeles Magazine and as one of Worth Magazine's Top 100 Lawyers.  Alexis can be seen weekly on Better TV as there Family Financial and Legal Expert and every now and then on the Today Show and View from the Bay.  While Alexis is sadly not yet an aunt herself, she would be lost without the help of the aunts in her life!

Dr. Michelle Zweifler

Dr. Michelle Zweifler is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and General Surgeon specializing in facial rejuvenation as well as breast and body contouring. After successfully completing an Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Fellowship with John Q. Owsley, M.D., Dr. Zweifler established her plastic surgery practice in New York City. She is on the staff at the prestigious Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital.

During her medical training, Dr. Zweifler received numerous honors and awards including the Samuel L. Kountz Award for Clinical Excellence in Surgery and the John O. Vieta Award for Professional Excellence and Compassionate Care. Dr. Zweifler strives to achieve each patient's satisfaction and is truly committed and dedicated to excellent cosmetic results.

Engaged with the most important issues in plastic surgery today, Dr. Zweifler regularly attends numerous medical seminars. Her professional papers have been published in scientific journals including Annals of Plastic Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Surgical Endoscopy. She is a member of many professional societies at the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Zweifler has also been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, New York Post, WCBS, CNN, The Today Show, Fox News, Eyewitness News 7, WB11, CNN Headline News and NY1. Additionally, Dr. Zweifler is included in Castle Connolly's America's Cosmetic Doctors and Dentists.

"I truly enjoy the specialty of plastic surgery, from the initial consultation to the technical aspects to the rewards of enhancing your appearance." You can learn more about Dr. Zweifler here: http://www.drzweifler.com/
 

Marlene Wallach

Marlene Wallach, President of Wilhelmina Kids and Teens is the author of the My Tween Lifestyle Collection of books published by Simon & Schuster released in August 2009 – MY SELF, MY LIFE, MY LOOK and MY BEAUTY.  At the core of these books is the message empowering girls to find their unique beauty and have it shine from the inside out. In conjunction with Marlene’s Book Collection, she created the JAM website www.justaskmarlene.com, a content rich and safe website and community where young teens/tweens can celebrate what makes them unique.  “If one thing from one of my books helps one girl through the bumpy road of adolescence, the world is changed forever” says Marlene.
 

Stacy Francis

Stacy Francis is a certified financial planner, a nationally recognized media expert, speaker and author of the upcoming book The New Formula for Financial Success:  Bounce Back and Gain Control Over Your Financial Future!  Her firm, Francis Financial, Inc. is an independent, fee-only firm that provides comprehensive financial planning services.  Stacy is also the founder of Savvy Ladies, a 20,000-plus non-profit educational organization established to empower women to take control of their finances and achieve more rich and rewarding lives. 

A faculty member of NYU, Stacy teaches financial courses as part of the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies.  As a nationally recognized expert on finance, Stacy appears regularly on CNBC, CNN, Nightly Business Report, NPR, Oprah and Friends and The Today Show and has been quoted in over 100 publications such as Business Week, CNN, Dow Jones, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Glamour, Investment News, Money Magazine, MSN, Newsweek, New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Women’s Day.  Stacy is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™) and has completed specialized training in the financial issues of divorce.  Stacy is a dynamic speaker who has taught hundreds of classes and workshops and has shared the platform with some of the top speakers in the country including Suze Orman and Jean Chatzky. She has helped thousands of clients nationwide create more fulfilling lives through financial freedom. 

Scott Henderson

During his fourteen-year professional career, Scott has been a major gift fundraiser, foundation executive, magazine editor, marketing consultant, and president of a capital campaign firm. He cut his teeth during a major capital campaign at the University of Nebraska Foundation, later oversaw multiple capital campaigns as a consultant, and most recently served as cause marketing director for an interactive agency.

What makes him unique in the marketplace is that he has gone into the living rooms, kitchens, and front porches of influential people to obtain their financial and social support of cause initiatives.  From these experiences, he understands how cause-oriented endeavors succeed and fail. 

Today, he is principal of Rally the Cause Productions, a strategic consultancy specializing in cause marketing.  He helps corporations, non-profits, and marketing & communications agencies create and implement online and offline initiatives to achieve transformational growth. Recent accomplishments include the creation and launch of pledgetoendhunger.com, which helped Tyson Foods deliver 560,000 meals to four different cities for children in need, raised $28,000 for Share Our Strength, and assembled an army of nearly 5,000 childhood hunger awareness champions. ??

Scott is most famous for being married to Jennifer, his bride of eleven years, and father to Ethan, his eight-year-old son.  He is also “Uncle Scott” to eight nieces and nephews, who know him most for knee tickles and over-the-shoulder turnovers.  You can connect with him at his blog or on Twitter (@scottyhendo).

Margaret Bristol

Margaret Bristol is a freelance writer and editor.

After graduating from NYU with a Master's in Journalism, she went on to work in the editorial departments of Good Housekeeping and Quick & Simple. As a freelance writer, she has contributed to AOL, Metromix.com and other print and web publications.

When she's not writing, she's learning the ropes of aunt-hood with her niece, nephew and her best friend's children.

Jeff Stier

Jeff Stier is the Associate Director of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH). He is responsible for external affairs, including media and government relations, policy, legal affairs and development. ACSH is a not-for-profit, public health, consumer advocacy organization dedicated to promoting sound science in public health.

Since joining ACSH in 1997, Mr. Stier has represented ACSH on World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, the Fox News Channel, CNN, MSNBC, and CNBC, as well as dozens of talk radio shows, and in the Associated Press, Reuters, United Press International, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Newsweek, the New York Post, The Washington Times, the New York Daily News and other major publications.

Before moving to New York, Mr. Stier worked for the Jewish Policy Center in Washington, DC, where he focused on domestic policy issues.

Mr. Stier also worked both in the office of the Mayor and in Corporation Counsel's office in the Giuliani administration in New York City. His responsibilities included planning environmental agency programs, legal analysis of proposed legislation, and health policy.

Mr. Stier was also a volunteer tutor at the Union College Readiness Program for underprivileged students in East Harlem.

While earning his law degree at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Mr. Stier served two terms as Editor-In-Chief of the Cardozo Law Forum, the official student newspaper.

Amanda Goodwin

Nanny, Author, Advocate, Creator of Crazy Miracle

Amanda Goodwin, sometimes known as Miss Amanda, is a life-loving 20-something, living in northeastern Ohio with her family.  She is your typical girl-next-door, mommy to her beautiful furbaby, Haylie Brooke Gianna Soleil, and she spends her days nannying for a beautiful family while working on her double major at Kent State University, comprised of BSN-RN nursing and Integrated Health Services.  Having a chronic illness since age 5 and receiving a liver transplant at age 23, Amanda knows what it's like to be a child with life-long health obstacles and hopes to ultimately be an advocate for similar children after obtaining a masters degree.  In her spare time, she spends time with her "itty bitties," travels, reads, gets crafty, and spends time with her friends and family.

A friend of Amanda's mother had a daughter who grew up like a big sister to her, and when she had two little boys a decade and a half later, it was only natural for Amanda to move into the Savvy Auntie role!  Now 5 and 8, she adores her little boys and they always come first in Miss Amanda's heart! 

Amanda is knowledgeable in childcare, tutoring, unique situations, health issues, and creating out-of-this-world amazing days for her kiddos.  She implements reading, art, play, and even infant sign language in the lives of her nephews and nanny children.  Obviously passionate about her nanny kiddos and nephews, she's been touted as "the best nanny ever!" She welcomes any questions you may have and is excited to share her experience with all of you.