Deborah Farmer Kris is a child development expert and the author of “Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive,” the I See You board book series, and the All the Time picture book series. Her bylines include CNN, PBS KIDS, NPR’s Mindshift, The Washington Post, the Boston Globe Magazine, and Oprah Daily. Deborah is currently an expert advisor for the PBS KIDS show, “Carl the Collector,” and spent 20+ years as a K-12 educator.

Dr. Virginia (Ginny) Schwager holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology and specializes in family operations management and childcare systems design for high-net-worth households. With over 15 years of hands-on experience working directly with private families, Dr. Schwager founded The Formator Institute to provide professional development for experienced nannies and strategic management support for families with complex needs. Her approach integrates child development expertise with operational excellence, creating seamless care systems that align nannies, therapists, educators, and family members around consistent, evidence-based care practices. Dr. Schwager leads a growing team of consultants who serve families across the country, while also maintaining a limited direct practice.

Ellie Friedland, Ph.D.  is Associate Clinical Professor of Early Childhood Education Emerita at Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, and was Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at Wheelock College for twenty years before the merger with BU in 2018.  Before becoming a teacher educator she was an early childhood teacher, and then a child and family psychotherapist for many years. Her scholarship focuses on anti-bias curriculum and practice, and integrating drama and movement throughout the curriculum. 

Ellie developed and taught the unique course Creating Welcoming Environments for LGBTQ+ Families in Education and Human Services at Wheelock College, and offers professional development in anti-bias curriculum and practice at national and regional conferences, and for many child care programs. She has supervised student teachers in private and public early childhood settings, and has taught early childhood education courses in curriculum, assessment, family engagement, anti-bias education, and teaching methods.  Ellie has worked with public school teachers in Guatemala for many years, and now focuses her work there on professional development for educators and human rights workers at CEIPA, (Centro Ecumenico de IntegracionPastoral),  a not-for-profit organization in Quetzaltenango  that provides alternative public education, including advocacy for human rights, to child laborers.

Christa Nader is an advocate, educator, and founder, working in the industries that support childrearing for the past two decades. Born and raised in Erie, PA, she obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas Arlington, and taught in public schools for the first few years of her career. Upon moving to New York City, she transitioned to providing care as a nanny and private educator, eventually founding and selling her own nanny agency, KITH & KIN Household Staffing Agency. She has served on the Board of Directors of the International Nanny Association, and has been quoted in The New York Times, CNN, The Lily by Washington Post, as well as featured on several podcasts and in nanny industry collectives. Melding her ability to forge strong relationships with her experience in the staffing realm, she enthusiastically joined GTM Payroll Services as the Agency Partner Manager in 2023. She seeks to be curious, courageous, loyal, and kind, but is really just a regular ol’ human stumbling through life, clinging to fresh air upstate, walks with her dogs, dwelling in maximum silly-mode with her daughter, while beautifying her Brooklyn neighborhood with her block association, and leaning on the kinship of her family and friends.