About Us
Northeast Ohio Parent launched in March 2014 as a refreshing new monthly publication for parents in the Greater Cleveland/Akron region. Along with e-newsletters and social media platforms, the magazine and this website highlight the area’s vast opportunities for families and the tremendous diversity of Cleveland and beyond. More than 20 events are produced by the team annually including Camp & Summer Programs Fairs, Education Expo and the popular Summer Event Series Crocker Kids, Pinecrest Play Days and Fun at First & Main.
Northeast Ohio Thrive (formerly Northeast Ohio Boomer) launched in 2015 catering to 50+ adults in Greater Cleveland and Walden Life launched in 2021.
Northeast Ohio Parent, Northeast Ohio Thrive, and Walden Life are published by Mitchell Media LLC out of Hudson, Ohio, by an exceptionally talented team of media professionals and aspiring parents (and grandparents!)
Who We Are
Brad Mitchell
Founder/Owner/Publisher
Brad is the founder and publisher of Northeast Ohio Parent and owner of Mitchell Media LLC. Northeast Ohio Parent was launched by Brad and a team in early 2014. Mitchell Media’s second publication, Northeast Ohio Thrive (formerly Northeast Ohio Boomer), hit the streets in late 2015. Walden Life magazine debuted in March 2021. Brad has served in many different capacities in the magazine industry since the late 1980s in both Cleveland and his hometown of Chicago. He is married and has three grown children, and a charming granddaughter.
Angela Gartner
Editor/Content Director
Angela joined Northeast Ohio Parent in late 2013 to develop the editorial strategy for this new publication. She previously served as editor for Cleveland/Akron/Lake-Geauga Family magazines. She also was the publication manager/editor for hibu’s local magazines in Westlake, Mentor, Solon and Avon Lake. As a journalist, Angela’s features and columns have appeared in newspapers and other publications, including The News-Herald and Sun Newspapers as well as the Chicago Tribune.
Shana O’Malley-Smith
Managing Editor/Digital Editor
Shana is a multimedia journalist for Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine. She previously worked as a political affairs and news reporter for WHYY, a PBS and NPR affiliate station based in Philadelphia. She is a graduate of Ohio University’s Scripps School of Journalism and is a native of Northeast Ohio. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has a daughter and son. Her family loves weekend road trips and finding fun things to do around the region.
Sherry Lundberg
Art Director, Northeast Ohio Parent
In addition to her role as advertising production manager and graphic designer for Northeast Ohio Parent magazine, Sherry also designs web ads and promotional materials for Mitchell Media. She has more than 25 years of experience in graphic design and loves to create jewelry in her spare time. Sherry grew up in Northeast Ohio and now lives in Wickliffe with her husband; she is the proud mom of four grown children.
Samantha Olp
Digital Customer Success Manager
A busy mom of four, navigating a beautifully blended family. Samantha has been with Northeast Ohio Parent since 2015. Samantha brings a high level of energy to her role with her willingness to work hard and take care of details. She empowers the team to help each digital asset portray their respective business in a presentation of excellence and class.
Chris Geer
Sales Consultant
Chris has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience, including building brands for Dr. Pepper/Snapple, Miller Brewing and PolyOne. For the past 12 years, Chris has made his mark on the local media scene by growing share for Time Warner Cable Media before arriving to help launch Northeast Ohio Parent and Northeast Ohio Boomer magazines. An entrepreneur at heart, he prides himself on keeping up with the latest marketing trends and technologies and enjoys sharing this knowledge with his clients and coworkers. In his spare time, he often can be found on a baseball field or basketball court watching his children. Chris resides in Copley with his wife, Jeanette, and their three teenagers.
Cris Beaulieu
Sales Consultant and Events Coordinator
Cris joins Mitchell Media having a background in content production for local TV news and newspaper, as well as a nationally circulated B2B magazine. She gained sales experience during her most recent role as an account executive in telecommunications. She easily connects with small business owners having grown up watching her dad who owns Beaulieu Auto Center in Cuyahoga Heights, and even has an entrepreneurial spirit herself. Cris lives in the greater Akron area with her three children, two cats, one dog and numerous chickens! You can usually find her headed toward one of the many trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Janyse Heidy
Sales Consultant
Janyse brings more than 20 years of sales experience in the advertising market to Northeast Ohio. Janyse worked as sales manager for Mahoning Valley Parent magazine and Akron Family magazine, where she developed a passion for connecting parents with the best resources to help their families. Janyse has been with Northeast Ohio Parent since its first issue in March 2014. Developing great ideas while consulting with clients, she has enjoyed helping in many different media outlets. She has two granddaughters and a grandson that keep her busy and will be happy to share pictures.
Michelle Vacha
Sales Consultant
Michelle has been working in the world of print magazines since 2000, when she started with the former Cleveland/Akron Family Magazine. Michelle has a passion for the magazine industry and working with local businesses to help them connect with parents and families in Northeast Ohio. She is a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio and she and her husband have raised three beautiful daughters here.
Sherrie Kantarovich
Sales Consultant
Sherrie has worked in the field of print media for more than 20 years and joined Mitchell Media in 2019. She also has a background in educational technology. Sherrie began her career in advertising sales at the Town & Country Trader upon her graduation from John Carroll University. Her career in print media included The Cleveland Jewish News, Northern Ohio LIVE Magazine, and the Beachwood Buzz Magazine. Sherrie is a longtime resident of Beachwood, along with her husband and two children — her son is currently at Ohio State University and her daughter attends Beachwood High School.
Yvonne Pelino
Sales Consultant
Yvonne just celebrated 10 years as a Sales Consultant with Mitchell Media selling mostly Northeast Ohio Thrive (formerly Northeast Ohio Boomer) publication. Yvonne now works part time in maintaining some of her long-standing accounts with us. In addition, she helps plan the BASH events each year. She has more than 45 years of sales experience in print, digital, cable television and radio, including hosting an on-air call-in talk show in Pittsburgh, PA many years ago. Yvonne currently hosts her own Pelino Productions Podcast called Fifty Shades of Gray Hair. She enjoys traveling, dining out, and watching Korean dramas!
Laura Chadwick
Art Director, Northeast Ohio Thrive, LiveSpecial & Walden Life
Graphic Designer, Northeast Ohio Parent
Laura Chadwick is an Art Director and Graphic Designer living in Richmond Heights. She loves all things creative. She joined Mitchell Media as art director for Northeast Ohio Thrive (formerly Northeast Ohio Boomer) in 2016. Laura also serves as Art Director for the annual special needs publication, LiveSpecial as well as Walden Life Magazine, a lifestyle magazine celebrating the Walden Community in Aurora, Ohio.
Kathleen Mitchell
Vice President
Kathleen has been with Mitchell Media since its inception in 2014. In addition to managing the office, she is responsible for calendar events, accounts payables/receivables and sales support. She gained extensive office and human resource experience while working at Travelers Insurance, Progressive Insurance and Cornell University. She also freelanced as a home organizer and leased townhomes part-time while raising her three children. She grew up in Northeast Ohio and resides with her husband.
Miriam Conner
Podcast Host
Miriam is the host of Northeast Ohio Parent’s popular podcast, “aParently Speaking.” She holds a master’s degree in education and has more than 24 years of experience teaching middle school, high school and post secondary. Miriam is a Northeast Ohio Native; she and her husband have three children.
Kim Stahnke
Photographer
Kim, owner of Medina County-based Kim Stahnke Photography, has been a professional photographer for more than a decade. She regularly handles Northeast Ohio Parent’s cover photography and feature story images. As a wife and mother of four, Kim’s passion is documenting life through photos, whether it be of her own family or other families. Her work focuses on families, children, and commercial photography.