Meet Your Westchester County Mom Team
Michelle :: Owner & Editor
Michelle is the Owner and Editor of Fairfield County Mom and Westchester County Mom, two thriving parenting communities she proudly leads with passion and purpose. A lifelong Fairfield County native, Michelle grew up in Norwalk and now calls Fairfield, CT home. She married her husband, Chris, in October 2008, and together they’re raising a lively crew: their son Shane (born March 2011), twins Blake and Brynn (born June 2013), plus two lovable pups—Hank the loyal Lab and Bruce the mischievous Frenchie. By day, Michelle is a dedicated third-grade teacher at a local public school, juggling lesson plans and lunchboxes like a pro. Her days are filled with carpools, laundry piles, sideline cheering, and the beautiful chaos of motherhood. When she carves out a rare moment for herself, you’ll find her curled up with a great book, savoring dark chocolate, or unwinding with an espresso martini.
Melissa :: Sponsorship Coordinator & Senior Contributor
Melissa is a Bronx native who moved to Westchester County after she and her high school sweetheart got hitched in 1997. She and her husband live in Mount Kisco with their son Corey (2004) and daughter Mia (2007). Melissa spent many years working in Human Resources and currently works in enrollment and marketing for a childcare organization. Melissa is a two-time survivor of Postpartum OCD. She initially became interested in writing to raise awareness for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders but has discovered that writing is a newfound aspect of her life that she thoroughly enjoys. Melissa is excited to write with the Westchester County Mom team and hopes you’ll enjoy her stories of the trials and tribulations of a born-n-raised city girl raising teenagers growing up here in Westchester.
Erin :: Senior Contributor
Erin is the mother of one sweet, rambunctious toddler and wife to a talented chef. Professionally, she is a former special educator and preschool teacher and is currently a cognitive neuroscience researcher and Ph.D. candidate in Cognitive Science in Education with specializations in neuroscience, cognitive development, and neurodiversity/autism. She holds master’s degrees in cognitive science and neuroscience in education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and undergraduate degrees in special education (with an additional concentration in elementary education and a minor in English) and early childhood education. As a chef’s wife, food is a huge part of her family culture, and she enjoys both cooking and baking. Some of her other hobbies include hiking, traveling, jogging, meditation, animal rescue, playing piano and guitar, crafting, reading, and of course, writing. You can follow her parenting journey and pick up tips on great kids activities on her website www.themindfullyscientificmama.com, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest accounts.
Christine :: Senior Contributor
Christine was born and raised on Long Island and now calls Westchester home. She and her husband Marc have lived in Hawthorne since 2014. With a background in PR and Marketing, she’s now a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom of two. Christine loves to travel, read (when she has the time!), practice yoga, and try out new recipes (that she hopes her kids will actually eat).
Danielle :: Contributor
Danielle is a wife and mom of three boys living in Yorktown Heights in Westchester County, along with her rambunctious Boston Terrier Marty and hairless cat Gilbert. Danielle is a former special education teacher turned local real estate agent who works part-time coaching others in nutrition and wellness. Danielle enjoys spending her free time reading, cooking healthy meals, working out, volunteering, and spending time with her family. There’s never a dull moment juggling a career and living in a house full of boys, so if you see her running around, know she’s fueled by her favorite cup of organic coffee!
Anita :: Contributor
Anita is a Registered dietitian and fitness professional. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in women’s health and overall lifestyle wellness. Her goal is to help people achieve their optimal set-up with an intuitive and balanced approach. As a mother of two young boys, Anita has been through various life cycle phases. She is passionate about helping women, especially those in their mid-30s and above, find their healthy balance! Anita recently launched ARM NUTRITION, a nutrition telehealth platform that accepts insurance. Anita has contributed content to MBG (mind body green), The Skimm, Romper, Women’s Health, and more. She writes and offers her expertise as needed and loves to be a trusted resource.
Alexa :: Contributor
Nationally recognized for her syndicated television show, podcasts, and speaking engagements, Alexa is always tuned in to our connection with each other. Online, she is known as ‘Ask Alexa Therapy’ across all social media platforms. Followers flock to her Facebook LIVE each Sunday to ‘Ask Alexa’ everything. When she is not on-air, Alexa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist with her private practice. She works with individuals, couples, and families. Alexa holds an undergraduate degree from Pace University and she received a Master of Social Work from Fordham University.
Maura :: Contributor
Maura is a writer, journalist, podcaster, and recovered litigator who writes about the intersection of luxury goods, finance, work-life balance, and motherhood. Her three sons span an almost 11-year age range, and boy does she have stories! Several years into raising her family, Maura left law and focused on local journalism and writing. She co-hosts and produces The Balance Dilemma Podcast. This platform showcases author events and interviews of women telling how they thrive while managing life – think How I Built This meets This [American] Woman’s Life. Maura is also the Editor of the luxury handbag blog pursebop.com. She’s enjoying the emptying of the Westchester County nest she shares with her husband and whichever children are home.
Elizabeth :: Contributor
Elizabeth is a wife and mom of two wonderful children, Gabrielle and James. She is a registered dietitian nutritionist, holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University, and runs her own virtual nutrition practice, where she helps clients achieve their health goals through a personalized, holistic approach. A published cookbook author and nutrition professor at Pace University, Elizabeth is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and love for nutrition and delicious food. She’s currently expanding her expertise by becoming certified as a yoga instructor. In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys reading, decorating, practicing yoga, and spending quality time with her family. She’s also on a journey toward minimalism, finding peace and clarity in a simpler, more intentional lifestyle. You can connect with Elizabeth at Eating Healthy 4 Life, on Instagram @lizpecoraro_nutrition, or on her blog Food for All. You can also check out her cookbook, The Allergy-Friendly Cookbook.
Anne :: Contributor
Anne is a career fashion stylist – her dream job. She has made getting dressed easy and enjoyable for busy moms everywhere. A natural-born shopper, she is always on the lookout for super sales, thrifted treasures, and the ever-elusive stylish and comfortable shoe! A true New Yorker, Anne did not drive or have her own washer and dryer until she moved to the burbs. Anne and her husband, Rob, are happily raising their two children, Jude and Vivienne, who are seven and a half years apart, in the aptly named “friendly village” of Mamaroneck. Anne is thrilled to connect with her fellow moms as a contributor to Westchester County Mom. Find out about her styling services at www.positivelystyling.com and follow her on IG @positivelystyling.
Sharon :: Contributor
Sharon resides in Westchester County and is a married mother of three children: Ava (2014), Lila (2016), and Noel (2019). When she’s not shuttling her kids around town, keeping up with never-ending loads of laundry, or figuring out what’s for dinner, she is likely to be watching Law & Order: SVU marathons, baking treats, volunteering at school, church, and in the community, spending quality time with her family, and nurturing friendships, old and new. She looks forward to sharing her experiences and ideas and connecting with other moms in this vibrant community. Follow her on IG @simplysharonson.
Nidhi :: Contributor
Nidhi is a pelvic floor physical therapist who lives in Purchase, NY, with her husband and their spirited five-year-old son. A first-generation Indian immigrant, she moved to the United States at the age of 20 and has built a life that blends her roots with her love for New York. While she misses home every day, she cannot imagine living anywhere other than Westchester, where she enjoys the unique balance of suburban calm, natural beauty, and easy access to the cultural richness of the city. As the founder of Pelvic Harmony Physical Therapy, Nidhi is passionate about helping women understand and care for their bodies through every season of life – whether that’s pregnancy, postpartum, or beyond. She has seen firsthand how often women are caught off guard in their health journeys and believes in shifting that narrative from fear to empowerment. When she’s not working with patients, Nidhi loves hiking, tending to her garden with a cup of coffee in hand, and blogging about the intersections of motherhood, health, and everyday life. You can find her on Instagram at @PelvicHarmony.pt or visit her website at PelvicHarmony.org.
Melissa :: Contributor
Melissa lives in Northern Westchester with her husband, two sons (tween + teen), a loud but sweet dog named Evie, and an adorable but thump-y Holland Lop rabbit named Willow. She co-owns, with her husband, Dave, the online vintage rug shop Old New House, and they have just entered their 10th year with their flagship store iteration in Katonah, NY. Before co-owning the rug business and serving as a bit of a creative director within it, she studied filmmaking with a screenwriting concentration in college. She started her own wedding and family portrait photography business after graduating. She served as Vice Chair and Events Committee Chair of the Katonah Chamber of Commerce for three years, proudly running its highest-earning (and perhaps liveliest) event, The Annual Chili Cook-off, and, in 2023, co-founded Inclusive Initiative to raise awareness of neurodiversity in The Town of Bedford and surrounding communities. In 2025, she made another pivot as she navigated her son’s struggles in public school: she pursued and earned her Master’s in Education in Instructional Design and Educational technology, with the hope of better learning how to reach and help unique and struggling learners like her own. The work she is doing in this space and the neurodiversity space is ongoing as she works on her newest venture (+ NYS Teacher Certification): ONHEd.com. She absolutely loves vintage, interior design, movies, forever learning, and helping others whenever she can. To connect with Melissa, you can email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @onwardnewhorizons and @oldnewhouse.
Jess :: Contributor
Jess is a mom, Board Certified Integrative Health Coach with a specialized interest in mental health, and an RYT-500 yoga teacher with certifications in prenatal/postnatal and restorative yoga. Following her professional dance career, she earned her Master’s degree in Dance Education from NYU and a BFA in Dance Performance from UMass Amherst. Jess brings a bit of a rebel spirit to her work and life. Her approach to healing goes against the grain, blending energetic, somatic, and creative methods while honoring each individual’s unique process. Known for her contagious enthusiasm and down-to-earth energy, she’s passionate about the mind–body–soul connection and empowering others to reach their fullest potential while feeling supported along the way.
Sherrie :: Contributor
Sherrie is the proud mother of four grown children who are now forging their own paths in the world. She has lived in lower Westchester for more than 20 years with her husband, a spine surgeon who has cared for many members of the community. A media executive with over three decades of experience, Sherrie has built strong relationships with both global brands and local businesses. After years spent in carpools, on the sidelines, and at parent-teacher conferences, she still finds herself cheering from the stands—following her collegiate athletes and attending parent weekends, games, and campus events. Sherrie is embracing this new season of life, balancing the evolving role of everyday parenting with the joy of supporting her children as they pursue their ambitions.
Michelle :: Contributor
Dr. Michelle Casarella is a licensed psychologist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in helping moms raise kids with ADHD and big emotions. She is a mom of two boys and is raising an 8-year-old with ADHD, so she understands firsthand how different—and often overwhelming—this parenting journey can feel. When her son was diagnosed, she was surprised to find that most of the guidance offered to parents focused on medication, with very little support for how to handle the daily struggles at home. That experience inspired her to create therapy groups specifically for moms raising ADHD kids. Through her work, Michelle helps overwhelmed and frustrated moms turn chaotic homes into calmer, more connected environments. She shares practical, actionable parenting strategies that support children’s emotional regulation, protect their self-esteem, and strengthen the relationship between parent and child. Moms in her therapy group report feeling less alone and more confident in responding to parenting challenges. At home with her husband and two sons in Northern Westchester, life is loud with lots of energy—and Legos! When Michelle isn’t working or with her family, you can find her reading, lifting weights, or traveling to somewhere warm.
Sabrina :: Contributor
Sabrina is the co-founder of rise + bloom, a creative marketing agency specializing in marketing, branding, and design. Through rise + bloom, she partners with businesses to develop thoughtful and visually compelling brands, helping them grow with intention and clarity. Her work blends creativity with strategy, bringing ideas to life in ways that feel both authentic and impactful. She brings nearly two decades of marketing experience across industries, including fashion, technology, and nonprofits, helping organizations develop compelling brands and digital strategies. Her work sits at the intersection of storytelling, education, and digital engagement, using modern communication platforms to turn awareness into action. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Sabrina now lives in Westchester with her husband, two young children, and their dog. Outside of work, she spends her time outdoors on local adventures, trying out the latest coffee shop,s and embracing her other full-time roles: official cheerleader and chauffeur to her busy kids!
Catharine :: Contributor
Catharine lives in Larchmont with her husband Joe, their two kids (Alida, born in 2014, and Joseph, born in 2016), and their dog, Rosie. She has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and spent the first ten years of her adult life working for print magazines—some you may know (Men’s Journal, National Geographic Adventure) and others you probably don’t (Endless Vacation, RCI Ventures). After a decade-long career pause to raise her family, Catharine is finding new ways to apply her editorial background to causes she cares about. She edits communications for the Larchmont-Mamaroneck chapter of IRLNY, a parent-led nonprofit dedicated to helping families take childhood offline and into real life; more recently, she has started advocating for intentional EdTech in public schools. A typical day in Catharine’s life entails walking Rosie, eavesdropping on her daughter’s carpool chatter, lacing her son’s hockey skates, and helping with her husband’s business, Koala Insulation of the Sound Shore. She grew up in New Canaan, CT, with a dream to live out West. She never thought she’d end up in Westchester, and she has never been happier to call a place home.
Professional photos courtesy of Justine Knight Photography. Justine is a family and portrait photographer based in Larchmont, Westchester. She photographs across Westchester and Manhattan and loves to capture families the way she photographs her own! To view Justine’s work, please visit justinesknight.com.
