maria dismondy

facilitator

Nationally recognized Early Childhood Development Speaker, Author and Publisher, Maria Dismondy is dedicated to inspiring and empowering not just children, but grownups as well. She has authored ten children’s books, one parenting book and made more than 900 speaking appearances. She lives in southeast Michigan with her husband, Dave, and their three children.

claire noland

Claire Annette Noland is the author of picture books, early readers, and magazine stories for young children. Her debut picture book, EVIE’S FIELD DAY: More Than One Way to Win has been honored with many awards and was named to the New York Public Library’s best picture book list.

lizzie assa

Lizzie Assa is the founder of The Workspace for Children, a parenting strategist, play expert, and mother of three. With a background in early childhood education and experience working with families and children, Lizzie helps parents and caregivers avoid burnout by teaching their children independent play. She is a firm believer in the power of simplicity and consistency in play and is dedicated to promoting these values. Prior to starting The Workspace for Children, Assa received a MsED from the Bank Street College of Education in New York City and taught nursery school in Manhattan. She has been featured in various publications such as Parent's Magazine, NY Times Parenting, Time, and The WSJ.

lauren pace

Lauren Pace is a behavior coach and child development specialist. Lauren is a mom of three (almost 4) young children and a former preschool teacher. Lauren earned her Masters of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with her thesis research in Positive Behavior Support and in-home family coaching. Lauren believes in helping parents look at the root of challenging behavior and using that as an opportunity to connect and help your child develop social and emotional skills that will serve them for the rest of their life.

In her free time, Lauren spends time with her family, doing creative hobbies and home projects with power tools. She and her husband have a mini hobby farm with chickens, dogs, and pheasants, and enjoy adventures riding up into the mountains.

dr. laura markham

Dr. Laura Markham is the author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How To Stop

Yelling and Start Connecting, Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How To Stop the

Fighting and Raise Friends for Life, and now her latest book, The Peaceful Parent,

Happy Kids Workbook: Using mindfulness and connection to raise resilient,

joyful children and rediscover your love of parenting.

Dr. Laura Markham earned her PhD in clinical psychology at Columbia University and has worked as a parenting coach with countless families across the world. Over

170,000 moms and dads enjoy Dr. Laura’s free weekly coaching posts via email. You

can sign up on any page of her website, AhaParenting.com, which serves up Aha!

Moments for parents of babies through teens. Dr. Laura’s aspiration is to change the world, one child at a time, by supporting parents. The proud mother of two thriving young adults who were raised with her peaceful parenting approach, she lives with her husband in New York.

kristen nordstrom

Nonfiction writer and full-time teacher at a STEAM magnet school. Mom of two grown boys, married to a sports journalist, lover of nature. Just took up playing the baritone ukulele - so fun!