Meet The Team

After her newspaper column “Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone” landed her on NPR, Fox News and everywhere in between, Lenore went on to write Free-Range Kids, the book-turned-movement. She has been profiled in The New Yorker, hosted the reality show, “World’s Worst Mom,” and has lectured everywhere from Disney to Microsoft to schools across the country — and the Bulgarian Happiness Festival. It was Lenore who created the annual “Take Our Children to the Park…And Leave Them There Day.” She is obsessive about The Let Grow Project, which she predicts will one day be in every school just like P.E. — but without the humiliating uniforms.

Andrea has worked in the start-up ed-tech industry in professional development, operations, customer success and sales for over 14 years, after spending her early career as a teacher in multiple states. She has a B.A. from Cal State, Fresno, and is a longtime certified Project Management Professional. At Let Grow, she brings her unique education and business background to manage our operations and expand our school and parent programs. She loves living in Las Vegas with her much-appreciated and endearingly goofy husband, vacationing in Mexico, and is a proud Trekkie. She has two adult children, both independent and married.

For over 15 years, Daniel has helped mission‑driven organizations launch initiatives, grow resources, and expand their impact. He began his career teaching bilingual third grade in Texas and leading national leadership programs for high school students. From there he moved into nonprofit leadership, corporate cause marketing, and strategic communications. He has a B.A. from Illinois State, an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins, and an Applied Data Science Certification from MIT Professional Education. At Let Grow, Daniel uses his experience to build strategic partnerships that grow the movement for childhood independence. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida, and loves attending Jumbo Shrimp games with his wife and two young sons.

Corey is a 10-year marketing professional that brings years of experience in ed-tech,
marketing and coaching to Let Grow. As a football coach, he has seen how a child’s
independence can build their confidence and help them develop critical thinking skills
that will prepare them for adulthood. He grew up as an independent child and has
shared how the experience helped him in his adult life by preparing him for the real
world. Corey currently lives in Erie, Colorado and enjoys traveling, cycling, volunteering
with the Special Olympics, and exploring the Colorado backcountry with his family.

Megan Hebert brings a variety of experience in the education world to Let Grow to connect with schools and support their individualized implementation of our school programs. She has a M.Ed  in Curriculum and Instruction from University of San Diego and a BA in Elementary Education from University of Vermont. Megan believes wholeheartedly in the importance of independence and growth opportunities in children’s lives, and has seen firsthand how this transfers to joy, discovery, and self awareness. She lives in Denver, Colorado and loves adventuring in the mountains with her family.

Sydney Jarrard brings her passion for education, EdTech, and global perspectives to Let Grow as a School Account Manager. She has worked with students and communities across three continents, from Montessori and private schools to public charters. Whether leading initiatives with the Peace Corps in Rwanda, teaching and developing programs with Fulbright in Austria, or designing student-led curriculum at Denver Public Schools, her work centers on supporting educators and empowering students to build confidence, resilience, and self-trust. Based in Denver, she enjoys music, reading, and adventuring with her German Shepherd in the Colorado mountains.

Natalie Susino is a passionate advocate for empowering students. She holds a BA in Theater Education from Emerson College and an MA in Integrated Teaching through the Arts from Lesley University. She brings over 10 years of experience in education, including a strong background in arts education and experiential learning. Natalie believes in fostering independence, creativity, and self-awareness in students and has seen firsthand how these skills spark confidence and joy. She lives in Rochester, New York, where she enjoys curling up with her dog and a good book, as well as trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

Once called the “conscience of the child welfare system” — by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director she sued — Diane has been a child and family advocate since she graduated from Stanford Law in 1979. She has litigated dozens of major cases, led non-profits, taught at the University of Chicago Law School, and helped forge national and state coalitions that protect the rights of families to raise their kids, including United Family Advocates. Diane has been a Let Grow mom ever since her son successfully blocked her from helping him with his Cub Scout Pinewood Derby — and he went on to win the Best Car award!

Erin is a highly accomplished professional with over 20 years of executive administration experience. She
has earned a Bachelor of Business Administration developing a strong foundation in business principles
and practices. Throughout her career, Erin has held key roles in executive administration,
demonstrating exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to easily handle
multiple responsibilities. Her extensive experience has equipped her with a deep understanding of the
intricacies of managing executive-level operations and providing crucial support to high-level decision-
makers. (Translation: she keeps us on top of things!)

Jen brings her years of experience in teaching, coaching, instructional design, program development, and education research to the Let Grow School Projects Team. No matter the role she’s held—camp counselor, classroom teacher, instructional designer, health coach, parenting program developer, education researcher—Jen’s career through-line is to help individuals strengthen their sense of agency and autonomy. As mom to two young adults, she strives to keep living the Let Grow mantra of “step back, so kids can step up”.