NPN Admin

coming soon.

We are Neighborhood Parents Network of Chicago Neighborhood Parents Network started in 1980 as a volunteer-run organization. Today, NPN is managed by a full-time Executive Director and a team of part-time directors and managers, and a group of amazing volunteers. Amy Johnson Executive Director Amy joined NPN in 2006. After finding a long-lasting nanny share through NPN, she began volunteering by planning small social events for parents in her neighborhood. With a background in non-profit program management and event coordinating, she moved into a part-time staff position coordinating volunteers in 2012. Amy’s role grew to managing NPN’s programming and events and building partnerships with NPN’s many supporters. She became Executive Director in 2020. She lives in Irving Park with her husband, sons and dog. Sitaara Jones Director of Marketing & Content A proud mama of three, Sitaara enjoys bringing a diverse perspective to parenting in Chicago to NPN. Sitaara began her journey at NPN as a member and contributor before joining the team as the social media strategist and now she is the Director of Marketing and Content. She brings experience as a former Chicago Public School educator, email marketer, and community director to NPN where she looks forward to the opportunity to continue making meaningful connections, testing out new ideas, and analyzing results. Jana Kline Advertising Operations Manager Jana joined the NPN team in 2017 and is responsible for advertising operations. Her experience runs the gamut from small, privately owned companies to global conglomerates. As such, she brings a strong and varied advertising background to NPN. With two Chicago kids, Jana understands the unique challenges of raising children in an urban environment and the importance of finding the resources needed to do so. She is excited to bring both her professional and personal experience to NPN. Jana lives in Chicago’s North Side with her husband, two children and an ill-tempered cat. Tareema Jean-Baptiste Programs Manager Tareema has been an NPN member and contributor since 2011. She is a devoted wife and mother of three. As a proud advocate for her oldest son, who has special needs, she has a passion to share with others, hopefully helping them on their journey. Using her Real Estate, event management and special needs parent advocate skills, Tareema will continue to support and facilitate NPN's programs. Affectionately nicknamed "The Connector" by her friends and family, she is excited to share creative and inclusive ways for all families to connect throughout the city. Elizabeth Gourio Events Manager Elizabeth Gourio joined the NPN team in 2021. She became an NPN member prior to the birth of her oldest child and found the New Moms Group to be very helpful in dealing with the anxiety and isolation of new motherhood. As a transplant from the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Elizabeth finds NPN to be a reliable guidepost in navigating the struggles and benefits of raising children in Chicago. Elizabeth has a varied work background in the arts, education, sales, project management and technology. She is responsible for managing the numerous events hosted by NPN. Elizabeth lives with her husband and two daughters in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. Lauren Viera Content Manager Lauren joined NPN in 2015 as managing editor of Parent to Parent while navigating her first year as a mom. With a long career in writing for publication as a journalist, and copywriting for Fortune 500 companies, Lauren loves how personal narratives can broaden perspectives and bring communities closer. As Content Manager, she strives to share compelling stories of what it’s like to be a parent in Chicago. She lives in Logan Square with her husband and daughter. Doloris Schombert Web Developer Doloris joined the NPN tech team in 2004. She desires to help families to grow with love. Doloris became a techno-geek when she took her first computer class at DePaul University. When she's not computing, you can find her and her family riding bikes along the lakefront. Nelia Opperman Accountant Nelia’s involvement with NPN started in 2005 when she was approached by NPN management regarding tax issues facing the organization. Since then, she continued on being involved with NPN doing various tasks including data entry, event postings, bookkeeping, budgeting and planning, research, audit, tax and financial reporting. Nelia’s work experience includes international tax management positions at Motorola, Aon, and Baxter Labs. She has a BS degree in Education, an MBA, CPA, and attended Roosevelt University and DePaul University. Board of Directors Sharhonda Okonkwo President An energetic mom of two, Sharhonda joined NPN in 2015. An attorney in financial services and a volunteer Girl Scout troop leader, she brings legal expertise and business strategy, as well as fun, to NPN. She also writes for NPN, sharing her parenting experience. As president of the board, Sharhonda ensures that the work of the board and staff align with each other and with NPN’s mission and goals. Sharhonda and her family live in Bronzeville. Tamara Roust Vice President Tamara joined NPN in 2010, participating in NPN’s support groups, camp fairs, school search events, and social groups. A chief data officer and a volunteer for several local organizations, Tamara shares with NPN her expertise in cybersecurity, business continuity, and information systems, as well as a passion for civic advocacy. As vice president of the board, Tamara leads NPN’s strategic planning. She lives in the Gold Coast with her husband and three children. Julie Busby Secretary Julie joined NPN in 2014 as a first-time mom looking for parenting and childcare advice and recommendations. Later, after a great experience using NPN’s school search resources for their daughter, Julie moved into a board position in 2018. As the founder of Busby Group, a top Chicagoland real estate team, Julie brings marketing, communications and sales expertise along with first-hand experience of what it means to be an urban family. Julie is passionate about helping and providing resources for all Chicago families. Colleen Callahan Treasurer Colleen has been a member of NPN since the birth of her son in 2018. A controller, Colleen has a finance and accounting background and brings to NPN her years of experience building budgets, comparing budgets to actuals, and using metrics to improve business performance. As treasurer of the board, Colleen advises NPN on all matters of accounting and finance. Colleen and her husband are invested in raising their son in Chicago and building their community in the city. Jennifer Burke Jenny joined NPN and the board in 2021. As a CPA and tax partner who specializes in helping not-for-profit organizations, Jenny brings business and financial expertise to NPN, as well as advice on navigating the financial complexities of the pandemic. As a new mom making the most of her NPN membership, she brings a fresh perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to the team. Jenny, her husband, and son live in the Loop. Anita Chandra-Puri A primary care pediatrician, volunteer for local non-profit organizations, and mom of four, Anita joined the NPN board in 2018 to give back to the community that her family calls home. She writes articles for NPN and shares her expertise during NPN’s Ask the Expert series on the discussion forum. Anita lives in Lincoln Park with her family. Danielle Gould Danielle joined the NPN board in 2021. An attorney and mom of two, Danielle attended NPN’s Preschool and Elementary School Fair prior to her oldest daughter starting kindergarten and joined the NPN board to get more involved in community matters. She brings her rich volunteer experience, organizational skills, and legal guidance to NPN. Danielle and her family live in Lakeview.

Since NPN was founded in 1980, the Parent to Parent quarterly newsletter has been a fun way for parents to share their stories, lessons learned, and get new insights into how to survive parenting in Chicago. Check out these great past issues to learn more about school searches, finding the right childcare, traveling with kids, developmental differences, the ups & downs of Chicago parenting, and so much more! 2020 Archives: Vol. 40 No. 4 Vol. 40 No. 3 Vol. 40 No. 2 Vol. 40 No. 1 2019 Archives: Vol. 39 No. 3 Vol. 39 No. 2 Vol. 39 No. 1 2018 Archives: Vol. 38 No. 3 Vol. 38 No. 2 Vol. 38 No. 1 2017 Archives: Vol. 37 No. 3 Vol. 37 No. 2 Vol. 37 No. 1 2016 Archives: Vol. 36 No. 3 Vol. 36 No. 2 Vol. 36 No. 1 2015 Archives: Vol. 35 No. 3 Vol. 35 No. 2 Vol. 35 No. 1 2014 Archives: Vol. 34 No. 3 Vol. 34 No. 2 Vol. 34 No. 1 2013 Archives: Vol. 33 No. 2 Vol. 33 No. 1 - New format! 2012 Archives: Winter - Staying Healthy Fall - Back to School Summer - Coping with Change and Transition Spring - Child Care Conversations 2011 Archives: Winter - On Your Best Behavior Fall - A School Primer Summer - Breaking the Routine Spring - Child care options that fit your needs 2010 Archives: Winter - Total Parent Health -- Our 1st all color issue and brand new design! Fall - Schools - A Learning Process Summer - Summer Fun - At Home & Away Spring - Childcare - It's About Relationships

As a resource from parents for parents, NPN encourages members to share their experiences and expertise to a broad audience through our online content. Contributing articles to NPN We seek articles only from NPN members that offer a first-person account of a parenting issue you are dealing with or have dealt with on topics for families from pregnancy through high school. Topics can be, but are not limited to, the following: developmental differences infertility newborns/infants interrace/interfaith parenting only children school choice nannies/daycare pregnancy work/life balance breast feeding toddler troubles Article formats can include: How to talk to me about (my miscarriage, my special needs kid, etc.) How I talk to my kid about (death, violence, his developmental difference, etc.) How I survived (some parenting challenge) The big decision (how you are struggling with or have struggled with a parenting decision) An open letter to (some group or type of person you want to address regarding parenting) Path to parenthood (your journey to becoming a parent, whether via IVF, adoption, surrogacy, etc.) Parents of color (race-related challenges, milestones, victories, etc.) #Realtalk (an unflinchingly honest account of a controversial parenting topic). For article examples, check out our Articles Directory. Contributor guidelines and recommendations Review the Contributor's Agreement below and then submit an article by clicking here. NPN does not guarantee publication, and we reserve the right to edit articles for length, style, and content. We do not pay writers or photographers, though historically we have covered membership fees for frequent contributors. Articles must be 500 words or fewer; include a headline Provide a short bio on the submission form (50 words or less, doesn’t count toward your total word count) Submit a high-res jpeg photo of you with your family, or one that works with your topic. You must own the rights to use this photo. Include practical tips or advice that make your article useful to readers Make your article very specific (unlike articles one could find on parenting websites or in parenting magazines) either because it’s very personal or very Chicago Feel free to mention the value of NPN and how it helped you as a parent (which would be most appreciated!) List any outside resources you have used at the end of your article so that we might embed links where appropriate Please do not promote individual businesses or organizations in the text of your article. If you are a business member or affiliated with a business, you may mention it as part of your bio. Or you may submit a post under sponsored content. Contributor's Agreement By submitting an article to NPN for use in the NPN articles, you agree to the following terms: I certify that I am the author or sole owner of the material I am submitting to Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN). NPN may reproduce, distribute, publish, display, edit, modify, create derivative works and otherwise use the material for any purpose in any form and on any media. I agree to indemnify NPN for all damages and expenses that may be incurred in connection with the material. I understand that plagiarism is the act of submitting work that, in part or whole, includes the work of another person — work that I did not write. This includes, but is not limited to, copying words from another source without indicating in some manner (i.e., footnotes, quotation marks or some other means of reference) that these words or ideas come from a source other than myself. In submitting my work to NPN for consideration, I certify that all of my work submitted to NPN represents solely my own work and is not in any way plagiarized, in part or in entirety. I am aware of NPN's commitment to publishing only original work created by its members and I understand that plagiarism is a serious offense. I understand that the NPN staff may edit my article to correspond to its editorial style as well as for length. NPN also reserves the right to decline my article due to lack of space or other editorial reasons. I grant permission to NPN to use my submitted photograph(s). Photos may be reused across NPN’s platforms without notifying me. I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the photographs or electronic matter that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future, whether that use is known to me or unknown, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the photographs. I hereby agree to release and hold harmless NPN from and against any claims, damages or liability arising from or related to the use of the photographs, including but not limited to any re-use, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form, either intentionally or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in production of the finished product.