Leigh Gravenor, Co-Founding Partner
Born in Winnipeg, raised in Toronto, Leigh received her degree in English Literature from McGill University in Montreal. Leigh's career has in one way or another always focused on building new brands. Her experience spans the areas of product development, brand strategy, naming and corporate identity, most recently acting as a Vice President, Senior Strategist for one of Canada's largest communications firms.
Not even 15 years of work experience, however, could prepare her for her role as Mom to three kids under 5. She admits "the learning curve is a steep one when it comes to finding products that work best for you and your kids”. A self-confessed "web research geek”, Leigh has spent the better part of the past 6 years online learning about everything from the best diaper rash creams, to which double stroller (she has 4!) would be most likely to fit through the door of Starbucks.
Trying to juggle, work, kids and a semblance of the life she had before kids, Leigh can now put her experience to good use at the babyScoop.
Baby Product I couldn't live without: Burt's Bee Diaper Ointment.
Shari Walczak, Co-Founding Partner
Born and raised in London (now living in Toronto), Shari provides the interactive brain behind the babyScoop. After completing an Honours Business Degree from the Ivey School of Business, she eschewed the typical career paths of her classmates and chose to specialize in the development of online, web-based businesses. Over 10 years, as the new technology wave gathered steam, she was responsible for establishing and building highly successful interactive divisions within two of Canada's largest communications firms.
When she and her husband had their first child, a whole new set of challenges faced them including: whether any baby shoe in existence could stay on Oliver's foot for more than 5 minutes (apparently not!), and, which toy, if any, could replace Oliver's worrisome fascination with cell phone technology?
A passionate traveler, the babyScoop provides Shari with the chance to truly uncover the must-have products to make global travel with Oliver an actual possibility.
Baby product I couldn't live without: The Great Expectations Baby Traveller Deluxe diaper bag.
Erin Rogers, Consultant: Partnerships
Erin brings a unique specialization to our team --partnership marketing and sales strategy. As Vice President of a leading sponsorship marketing agency, she has experience conceiving and executing impactful partnerships for organizations such as Cirque du Soleil, New York City's Roundabout Theatre, General Motors and Bacardi.
As the newest Mom of the babyScoop team, Erin is the perfect baby product "tester” as she attempts to figure out how to keep baby Evan happy and healthy, 24-7. Any and all advice welcome...
Baby Product I couldn't live without: The Ergo Baby Carrier.
Elizabeth Yanitsky, Web Design
With over 11 years of design experience, Elizabeth has provided the creative expertise behind hundreds of award-winning websites and multimedia projects. Born in Russia and educated in Germany and Canada, Elizabeth has worked as Associate Creative Director for one of Canada's largest Interactive Agencies since 1999. Her list of awards includes: a Cannes Lion, New York One Show Pencil and featured work in Applied Arts. In her spare time Elizabeth can be found painting and working on her snowboarding skills. Elizabeth is mom to a toddler boy and is currently expecting baby number two.
Baby product I couldn't live without: Valco Runabout Stroller.
My relationship with photography is a true love affair. And after four years of photographing children and families, my fondness for this craft continually grows.
Children have an innate beauty that goes beyond aesthetics; my goal is to capture their essence, and to break the mold of conventional child photography.