Scottsdale Parenting Group Board Members 2008-2009
Co-Director: Susan Larkin - After growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, Susan attended the University of Dayton. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and moved to Arizona to become a fourth grade teacher. During her three years with the Scottsdale School District, she married her college sweetheart, Chad, and began working on starting a family. Susan joined SPG in September of 2004, and had her daughter, Ava Elaine, in November of that year. Her second daughter, Tessa Rose, was born in July of 2008. She truly feels that the friends she’s made in this wonderful organization have enriched her life and her experience as a stay-at-home mom immeasurably. Susan served two years ago as the Co-Chair of Special Events, last year as SPG Director, and is thrilled to give back to SPG again this year as a Co-Director!
Co-Director: Monica Beal - Monica Beal attended Arizona State University earning her degree in Communication Studies, and she also obtained a Certificate of Paralegal Studies. In 1997, she met the Dan of her Dreams -- hardworking entrepreneur with Midwestern family values and a wicked sense of humor -- at a sushi bar and in May 2000 they got hitched in Fountain Hills. In the summer of 2004, Dan and Monica were blessed with the birth of their feisty son, Jackson Philip. In an effort to increase her Mommy Confidence, Monica joined Scottsdale Parenting Group in 2006 and has since found a supportive network of terrific friends. Monica is excited to serve a second term on the SPG Board this year.
Co-Director: Christina Spencer - Christina grew up in DeLand, Florida and attended Florida State University. She graduated with a degree in Communication emphasizing Public Relations. After working in agency P.R. for several years, she ended up at Clear Channel Radio in Atlanta, Georgia working in advertising sales, which she continued for 5 years. During this time she met and married her wonderful husband, Michael, and then moved to Phoenix, AZ for his job. Soon after getting settled in Phoenix, Christina and Mike decided to start a family. She gave birth to a beautiful son, Harrison, on May 9, 2007. She joined SPG in September of 2007. Christina feels the knowledge she gained from attending the infant class was indispensable as she treaded through the murky waters of first time motherhood! Christina served as Special Events Co-Chair last year, and is excited to serve as Co-Director this year to such a wonderful organization!
Class Rep. Coordinator: KerriAnne Phelps - KerriAnne was born and raised in Seattle, Wa. She moved to the valley of the sun in 1991 with her husband Kerry and worked as a Trainer for Alaska Airlines. In 2004 they were blessed with the birth of their twin boys, Carson & Tyler. KerriAnne retired from the airline industry to be a stay at home mom- a job she enjoys most days :) KerriAnne has been active in Scottsdale Parenting Group since 2004 and is grateful for the education and friendships it has provided.
Education Coordinator: Anna Mette - Anna Mette was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. She moved to Tucson in 1985 with her parents and attended University of Arizona in 1992 for her undergrad and Arizona State in 1996 to get her Master’s. In 2004 she was blessed with the birth of her son, Christopher. Anna is a part-time teacher in the Cave Creek School district. Currently, she is teaching 3rd grade at Desert Sun Elementary. Anna has been active in Scottsdale Parenting Group since 2006 as education coordinator twice! Anna loves Scottsdale Parenting Group because she has made so many friends, and the classes have helped her be the best mom she can be! :)
PR/Marketing: Tracey Davis -Tracey Davis is a mom of two in diapers, “lucky thirteen” months apart. As the marketing and communications contact for SPG, Tracey is the liaison between this unique organization and the public and media. Tracey’s background includes more than 15 years working in marketing, advertising and public relations for such agencies as E.B. Lane & Associates as well as serving in-house as a marketing director for a multi-state restaurant group. Most recently, Tracey embarked upon a part-time real estate career on top of the full time job of being a mother.
Sponsorship Coordinator: Mina Ouimet - After she had her first baby, Mina was happy to find SPG website online three years ago when looking to join a mothers group. She is now a happy Stay-At-Home Mom with two children and has been enjoying being a SPG member for three consecutive years. Last summer she decided to join the board and fill the position of Sponsorship Coordinator.
Membership Coord.: Suzanne Karel - Suzanne is the mother of 2 crazy, curious, sweet, busy, boys. Mason is 2 and Luke is 4. Suzanne grew up in Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Journalism. She met her Nebraska born husband at KU and they were married in 1999. They then lived in Chicago, Wisconsin, and has now been in the Valley of the Sun for 8 years. Suzanne has been a working mom up until the last year when she took a leave of absence to join the stay at home mom club. It has been a wonderful year but is starting her own business to launch in the fall. It will only require her to work part-time so she can continue to stay at home with the boys and be her own boss! Joining SPG in 2003 was one of the best decisions she ever made. She has made some wonderful friends for life in the organization and can't imagine not being a part of it!
Philanthropy: Michelle Mawk - Michelle Mawk is a mother of 2 boys (ages 5 and 2 1/2) and this will be her 4th year on the SPG board in one of many various positions. She has TWO businesses - Bee Is For Baby, and Sassy Closet (co-owned with our very own board member, Suzanne Karel!). In her previous life (a.k.a. life before children) Michelle was a technology consultant manager with Accenture, where she was also head of the local Accenture office's philanthropic organization. She loves to travel and excercise - her most recent accomplishment was completing a 35 mile trail race that she ran with her husband.
Special Events: Julie Duncan
Treasurer: Open
Website Admin: Liz Pappas - Liz Pappas is a SoCal native and a Valley of the Sun resident for two years. She is officially an Arizonan now because she gets cold when it hits 80 degrees. She is a mom of two spunky kids under 4 years old and thanks SPG for improving her parenting skills and thus the quality of life for her, her kids, and her terrific husband. Liz works part time at her own business, Pinnacle Peak Design, designing websites and creative media. She wishes she had more than two hands and two feet.