Sarah Rintamaki, Executive Director

sarahrintamaki@connectingforkids.org

/SA-Ruh RIN-tah-mah-kee/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Sarah is the founder and Executive Director of Connecting for Kids. She has an MBA from University of Chicago in Finance and Strategic Management. She was a management consultant for The Boston Consulting Group and a Product Manager for Progressive Insurance Company before becoming a stay-at-home mother of two adorable boys. She loves reading and is passionate about exercising, ice cream and outwitting her husband at board games.

Nicole Born-Crow, Family Resource Specialist

nicoleborncrow@connectingforkids.org

/ni-KOAL BORN-kroh/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Nicole Born-Crow is a knitter, book lover, activist, mother of three, and a Family Resource Specialist for Connecting for Kids. Nicole has spent the last four years working in children's services at Lakewood Public Library where she facilitated many adapted storytime programs and before that, held office management and communications positions at nonprofit organizations in Ohio and NYC.

Nicole holds an extremely useful Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Syracuse University, which she used to start a nonprofit theater company while living in NYC. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys running a City Fresh CSA stop, serving on the Racial Justice and Education Committees at Westshore UU, and sleeping.

Andrea Campesino, Family Resource Specialist

andreacampesino@connectingforkids.org

/ahn-dreh-ah kahm-peh-see-noh/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Andrea holds a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from Universidad de Monterrey. During her college studies she also acquired a Project Management Professional Certification from the Project Management Institute. Andrea practiced architecture in Mexico as an Urban Planner and Administrator and later joined the education field in several positions, her favorite teaching art, and designing and implementing an after school Creativity Workshop following Reggio Emilia approach. Andrea moved to Northeast Ohio in 2010. She has been a CFK volunteer since 2012 and served on the CFK Board of Directors from 2013 to 2017. Andrea is a mother of 2 boys. She is passionate about design, arts, traveling and raising awareness on mental health and special needs.

Andrea es Arquitecta graduada de la Universidad de Monterrey. Durante sus estudios universitarios adquirió una Certificación en Administración Profesional de Proyectos (APP) de Project Management Institute. Andrea practicó arquitectura en México en Administración General de Proyectos Urbanos y más adelante se unió al campo de la Educación en varios puestos, siendo maestra de Arte y el diseño e implementación de un Taller de Creatividad para niños inspirado en el método de Reggio Emilia, sus logros favoritos. Andrea se mudó al noreste de Ohio en el 2010. Ha sido voluntaria de CFK desde el 2012 y miembro de la Mesa Directiva de CFK del 2013-2017. Andrea es madre de 2 niños. Le apasiona el diseño, las artes, viajar y crear consciencia y educación sobre la salud mental y las necesidades especiales.

Karla Fitch, Creative Director

karlafitch@connectingforkids.org

/karr-luh fich/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Karla is responsible for the care and feeding of our website and print design work for CFK. She also manages our social media outlets and loves tracking down obscure bits of information that could help another parent.

Karla has a Masters in Technical Communication (MTSC) from Miami University and spent a good chunk of time designing web applications for a Fortune 500 before finding her true calling as a mom. Karla holds certifications as a Family Leader from Ohio Family to Family Health Information Center and from Cleveland State University's SafeSpace (LGBTQ+ supportive) program.

In her free time, Karla also enjoys learning new things, organizing all the things and crocheting.

Candy Freed, M.A., Family Resource Specialist

candyfreed@connectingforkids.org

/KAN-dee FREED/
Pronouns: She/Her

Candy Freed is a lifelong Clevelander and, along with her patient husband, is the parent of two spirited boys. She is proud to be a Family Resource Specialist at CFK. Candy holds a BA and MA in sociology, specializing in marriage and the family, from Cleveland State University and will someday get around to finishing her PhD requirements in the same field. She has had the pleasure of teaching courses at CSU, LCCC, and Tri-C as well as working in nonprofit metric tracking and quality improvement initiatives aimed at helping to serve the underserved. She is a stats nerd who plays competitive pinball (although not as well as she'd like!) and enjoys a good mystery book, cup of coffee, cooking things her children won't eat, cuddling her rescue dog, spending time with family, and meeting new people. She also upcycles old neckties into unique accessories in her "spare" (ha!) time.

Chelsea Girgash, M.A., CCC-SLP, Child Care Leader

/Chel-see Ger-Gash/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

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Chelsea is a Speech Language Pathologist and the CFK childcare lead. She has a BS in Early Childhood Education from Wright State university and an MA in Speech Language Pathology from Cleveland State University. Chelsea currently works with Positive Education Program at Prentiss Autism Center. She enjoys exercising, playing and coaching tennis, as well as volunteering at her church.

Neysa McKenney, M.A., CCC-SLP, Teach Me to Play Toddler Program Leader

neysamckenney@connectingforkids.org

/Nee-sah Meh-Keh-nee/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Neysa is a Speech-Language Pathologist with a MA in Speech-Language Pathology from Cleveland State University. Neysa recently retired from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, where for the last 30 years has worked with children of all ages and stages of development. This work has allowed her to practice in a variety of settings including classroom, community, clinic and family homes. Neysa and her husband have 2 adult children and 2 dogs. Hobbies include gardening, refinishing furniture, volunteering at the county animal shelter, exercising and collecting antiques.

Nikki Montgomery, M.A., M.Ed., GPAC, Family Education Research Analyst

nikkimontgomery@connectingforkids.org

/NI-kee mawnt-GU-muh-ree/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Nikki is the mom of a child with a rare genetic condition and special education needs. A former teacher and professional editor, Nikki has bachelor's and master's degrees in English, along with a master's degree in Educational Psychology, with research focused on informing and empowering parents of children with disabilities. She completed a graduate certificate in Patient Advocacy and serves on the board at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, where she is also on the safety committee and serves as president of the hospital's Patient and Family Partnership Council.

In addition to her work locally, Nikki is part of the Global Patient and Family Advisory Board for the Beryl Institute, where she is the project coordinator for the Patient Experience Policy Forum. She also serves on the editorial board for Pediatrics, the flagship journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Nikki is the author of the Super Safe Kids series of self-advocacy and safety books for children and families.

Lauren Negrey, M.Ed., Program Assistant

laurennegrey@connectingforkids.org

/lor-in neg-ray/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Lauren Negrey is an avid runner, a lover of books and Cleveland sports, a mother of three, and is thrilled to be a part of the CFK team as the new Program Assistant. She attended Ohio University and earned a BS in Psychology and an M.Ed. in Counseling Education. Before joining CFK as the Program Assistant, she worked at Chardon Middle School as a school counselor. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys volunteering as an adult tutor for Refugee Response, gardening, drinking coffee and eating donuts, and exploring CLE with her family.

Paula C. Papp, M.A.Ed., Early Childhood/Special Education Consultant

paulapapp@connectingforkids.org

/PAW-luh PAP/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Paula attended Slippery Rock University earning a BS in Elementary and Special Education. She has a MA in Reading Instruction from Baldwin Wallace College where she focused her studies on early literacy development. In 2012, Paula retired from Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities. She is excited to be working for Connecting for Kids so that she can continue to foster young children's learning in cooperation with families, other professionals, and the greater community. At home, Paula enjoys visits with her granddaughters, exercising her setters, and cuddling up with a good book.

Joellen Podoll, Professional & School Liaison

joellenpodoll@connectingforkids.org

/JOH-E-len POH-dahl/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Joellen has a BS in Family & Community Services with a Young Child Emphasis and Health Promotions Specialization from Michigan State University. She also holds a MS in Social and Community Services from Capella University. Joellen also has volunteer management experience in fundraising and event planning and has worked with at-risk youth.

Joellen volunteers with many organizations including the Northern Ohio Congenital Heart Walk, Cleveland Clinic Children's Healthcare Partners Executive Committee, Cuyahoga Heights Schools PTO and the MSU Alumni Club of Northeastern Ohio. She and her husband have enjoyed living in Michigan, Connecticut, Alaska and Ohio. Joellen has a son and a daughter and enjoys spending time with her family, watching college football, traveling, planning themed birthday parties, and watching her kids participate in extracurricular activities.

Lorilynn Wolf, Communications Director

lorilynn@connectingforkids.org

/law-ree-lin wuulf/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

As Communications Director, Lorilynn is responsible for handling all publicity for the organization, as well as creating the content for newsletters, fliers and marketing materials. In addition, Lorilynn performs grant writing duties, and serves on the committees for both the Annual Fundraiser and Golf Outing.  Lorilynn holds a bachelors of arts degree in Communications from Valparaiso University and spent 15 years doing full-time public relations work, most recently as a Senior Account Supervisor with Falls Communications in Cleveland. While there, she handed a wide variety of consumer, industrial and nonprofit accounts including Lincoln Electric, Moen, Dutch Boy, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland, Arthritis Foundation of Northeastern Ohio and Ave Maria School of Law. Lorilynn and her husband, Dennis, have two boys.

Kim Wylie, CPA, Treasurer

kimwylie@connectingforkids.org

/kim WY-lee/
Preferred Pronouns: She/Her

Kim is responsible for CFK's finances. Kim has her BA in Management with a concentration in Accounting from Wittenberg University. She earned her CPA while working at Ernst & Young LLP. Kim worked in Internal Audit for the Scott Fetzer Company prior to coming to American Greetings Corporation where she joined their Internal Audit department in 2004. Still at American Greetings, she has since moved to Accounting and is now the Director of Accounting. Kim is also active with the Foundation Fighting Blindness. When not at her "day" job, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.