MEET THE CO SPRINGS MOM COLLECTIVE CONTRIBUTOR TEAM

Ashley H.

MANAGING EDITOR + MEDIA RELATIONS

Ashley H. is managing editor for Co Springs Mom Collective and one of two content creators for City Mom Collective. This longtime reporter and writer has worked for various newspapers, magazines and wire services, including about a decade at The Associated Press. When time allows, she takes on projects through her freelance business: www.seasonedscribe.com. She and her family spend most of their free time and money traveling. Ashley has visited more than 40 countries.

Ashley L.

WRITER

Bren

CONTENT CREATOR + WRITER

Brenda is from Mexico City and moved to the Springs in the late 90’s, She graduated from Adams State University with a Mass Communications degree and is currently working for the Governor’s Office of Information and Technology as a Marketing Communications Manager. Brenda is passionate about the eclectic and diverse growth of COS and she’s a huge supporter of small businesses. Brenda enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, Jiah and Ellie, exploring the local beer and food scene, and taking care of her many, many, many house plants.

Brianna

WRITER

Brianna Adrian has lived in Co Springs for about a year and a half. She was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. The military brought her family to Colorado - her husband, Dj, is in the Space Force. Brianna has a 1 (almost 2) year old son, Baker, and a 4 (almost 5) year old daughter, Carsyn. She works full time from home as a Sr. Product Owner for a large insurance company and was also a contributor for another City Mom Collective site back in AZ before relocating to the Springs. Brianna loves coffee, trashy tv, and hosting events for family and friends.

Christa

SENIOR WRITER

Christa is a wife, mother, military spouse, and an educator.

Heather

WRITER

Heather and her family relocated from Montana to Colorado Springs a year ago. As a stay-at-home mom to her preschool-aged children, Axton and Dagny, Heather feels lucky to have a husband who works from home to lend a hand when things get hectic. She loves spending time outdoors with her family and their border collie mix, and tries to do so as often as possible. In her free time, Heather enjoys reading, practicing yoga and Pilates, and connecting with other moms in the area.

Kathryn

CONTENT CREATOR + WRITER

Kathryn was adopted from Vietnam at 9 months old. She lived in Oregon for the first 5 years and has lived in Colorado since. Kathryn is a very new stay at home mama who teaches Pure Barre on the side. She previously worked with children with autism and children in foster care. Besides Pure Barre, Kathryn loves to hike and enjoy nature any chance she gets. Kathryn is passionate about connecting with other people and values being able to be a safe place for others to vent and feel heard. She loves deep conversations over coffee or a walk.

Kristin

SENIOR WRITER

Once Upon A Time, in another life, Kristin graduated from the University of Michigan with a plan to teach high school math. But then, life happened when she wasn’t looking…. She married an Army guy and 23 years, 3 kids, a few dogs, 7 homes, and 2 continents later she’s now a single mom living here in Colorado Springs. Along the way she volunteered for the Army, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and several schools; coached judo, trained to be a whitewater rafting guide, biked down Pike’s Peak and even managed to teach some high schoolers a little math.

Michelle

WRITER

Michelle is the mother of one little girl and two cats. She and her husband moved to Colorado Springs 3 years ago from Georgia for a change of scenery and to escape the Atlanta traffic. Michelle has a background in public relations and digital marketing and currently manages a team of website performance consultants. On the weekends you can find Michelle and her family exploring the amazing hiking trails throughout Colorado. She also enjoys playing the guitar, reading, and yoga.

Cara

WRITER

Cara is a former kindergarten teacher who chose to leave the profession to pursue her dream career of food writing and food photography. She is a creative and food is her favorite muse. Cara has a local food and kitchen blog called Peak Thyme where she shares original recipes & food photography, local foodie finds, kitchen product recommendations, and promotes local women in the culinary industry. Cara has been married for almost 21 years to her college sweetheart and together they have 4 children.

Cory

WRITER

Cory is a 33 year old Minnesota transplant and has resided in Colorado Springs for over 25 years. She is a single momma to her beautiful, intelligent and fiery daughters. Cory is a huge Colorado Avalanche fan, enjoys music, trying new foods/restaurants, reading and of course, writing! She is a passionate advocate for those with disabilities; as she herself was born with a genetic, neuromuscular condition; and her oldest is autistic. She enjoys writing about her journey as a mother with a disability and strives to share her truth with the world.

Gretchen

SENIOR WRITER

Gretchen has lived in Colorado since she was 12 and never wants to leave. She has a teen son who is into having a good time, especially with sports and Fortnite. Together, they are navigating the teen world of puberty and growing up. She has a wonderful husband, having been surprised and blessed with a second chance at love. In her free time, she loves to read, shop for purses, play games, watch football, laugh with her family, cook delicious food, and dream of the next home improvement project.

Kellee

SENIOR WRITER + RESOURCES COORDINATOR

Kellee is a small-town girl from Southwest Georgia. She is married to software engineer, Michael, and is mom to 6-year-old son, Zachary, and baby girl, Karalee. She is a stay-at-home-mom, but also has her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, and hopes to one day be able to return to a career in the school system, helping students become more independent. Kellee enjoys spending time with her family, baking, board games, playing tennis, traveling, being outside, and volunteering as a high school ministry leader at her church.

Maria

WRITER

Maria wishes she could be considered a native, but instead transplanted from Ohio to attend UCCS. After meeting her husband Ryan the first day of college they will be celebrating 17 years together this August. Having once taught Kindergarten for 5 years she decided to homeschool her two sweet daughters Emma and Lily. With this flexibility her family enjoys traveling and spending lots of time exploring the world around them. When you see Maria, you can always be assured she’ll have a tea and book in hand!

Morgan

WRITER

Morgan is a young mom of an almost two year old boy. She and her husband moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to family. Morgan has lived in seven states (Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, California, Virginia, Utah and now Colorado) and two countries (the U.S. and Ecuador). She is the office manager at Riverbend Counseling here in the Springs. Her hobbies include mountain biking, swimming, hiking and baking.

Chelsea

WRITER

Chelsea is originally from Florida, but has lived all over the US (FL, NC, MI, DC, VA, OR, WA, SC, DE, TX, and AL). Being in the military will do that to you. Chelsea is a Major in the Air Force, a Mental Health Counselor, and the owner of Limitless Life Coaching, LLC. She has been married to the best guy, Michael, for the last 10 years. Together they have three kiddos Lillian (5), Aiden (3), and Isaac (9 months) plus a mutt pupper who is 12 years old.

Erin

WRITER

Erin is a previous educator turned tech-WFH mom which allows her the flexibility she has always dreamed of. She came to Colorado for the first time in the summer of 2016 and her husband, Rick (then, boyfriend!) took his very first plane ride to visit her. They both fell in love with CO hoping to call it home one day. After 4 cross-country moves, that day finally came in the summer of 2022! Erin and Rick along with their 3 kids and giant English Mastiff have settled in Peyton and literally couldn't be happier. They enjoy adventuring and keeping things real.

Jen

WRITER + EVENT DAY COORDINATOR

Jennifer or Jen and her wonderful husband Bret and two boys, Xander and Torin have just moved to Colorado Springs. They love the hiking, playing at myriad parks, and lack of mosquitos. Jen finished her BA and Master's Degree in History at UCCS. Her extended family lives in the Springs, and she is very happy to be back for dry weather and crazy lightning. Currently, she teaches history online at Southern New Hampshire University. When not teaching or playing with littles, Jennifer loves to read anything from scifi to mysteries, hiking, writing, and gaming.

Kiley

WRITER

Kiley is a Colorado native and sanguine who is married to her best friend. Kiley and her husband George have two boys that are into all things music, Star Wars and D&D. Kiley graduated from UCCS with a bachelor's in Communications and a minor in Marketing, which she currently uses working full-time in public relations for B2B tech companies. Outside her day job, Kiley’s mission is to help working moms find their purpose and create healthy habits so they can gain the confidence to design and live a life they love!

Melissa

WRITER

Melissa was raised in Colorado, lived throughout the Western U.S. and Canada, and moved to Colorado Springs in 2022. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Ryan, and proud mama of two wonderful boys. She is a freelance grant writer working with nonprofits across the country to fundraise for their work. In her spare time, she loves to cook, read, and explore the mountains camping and fly fishing.

Natalie

WRITER

Natalie was born and raised here in Colorado Springs. She is a mom to three awesome girls, ages 7, 4, and 2. Natalie enjoys drinking tea, crocheting, and attempting to garden. Home is her favorite place to be, but she does love getting outside when the weather is warm and exploring our beautiful city. Natalie is an introvert through and through, but loves meaningful conversations and funny jokes.

Rachel

SENIOR WRITER

Rachel is a native Coloradoan, though originally from the Western Slope. She followed her husband Chris to his hometown of Colorado Springs after having met in engineering school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Together they have four beautiful children, Tommy, Tazzy, Zach and Zinny. Though Rachel loves her most important role as Mommy most, she also works full time outside the home as a Water Resources Engineer for the Colorado Division of Water Resources.

Erica

OWNER + EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Erica is the proud Owner and Executive Director of COSMC. With a background in Public Relations and Marketing, Erica has been working in online media since 2008. Erica has a passion for serving others, something which led her family to begin fostering several years ago. She has welcomed her heart and home to several children in Colorado Springs. Her role of mom is one she is most proud of. She and her husband have a beautiful blended family of seven.

Richelle

CONTENT CREATOR

Richelle and her husband, Jorge, moved to Colorado Springs 7 years ago. She is from rural western Kansas. She majored in Business Entrepreneurship at Kansas State University where she met her husband. Together they have two beautiful children. She is also a dog mom to two hiking chihuahuas, Pongo & Perdita, who were both rescued from the Humane Society. Richelle owns her own business as a freelance operations manager. In her spare time, you can typically find Richelle doing some sort of DIY craft or a home renovation project.

Paras

WRITER

Paras is an Iranian American, born in Tehran and raised in Texas. She is now pleased to call Colorado home. She is the mother of two rambunctious boys, a wife to an equally rambunctious husband (genetics!) and a pediatrician. Paras attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and went on to complete her pediatric residency training at the University of Texas Health Science Center. In her spare time, Paras enjoys hiking, embroidery and is an aspiring yogi.

Photos generously provided by Moments by Kati