GRKIDS & Co: a Premier Media Source for Life in West Michigan & Beyond
Ever wonder who’s writing those Facebook posts for GRKIDS or Instagram reels for Hey Grand Rapids? It’s not the all-powerful Oz pulling all the bells and whistles.
It’s a real live woman (or two) right here in Grand Rapids. And they’re just one part of the large GRKIDS & Co team that works to bring you the best of West Michigan family life.
What began as a one woman venture by founder Melody VanderWeide has grown into a full-blown enterprise that serves millions across Michigan and includes several brands including Hey Michigan, KZOOKIDS, Hey Grand Rapids, and Lansing Family Fun.
We love connecting you with the adventures, organizations and companies that mean something in your community.
You trust us to give you honest, helpful information about the next best date night, playground, doctor and local coffee shop.
We love sharing our insider intel with you on everything fantastic about Michigan.
Our reach goes beyond the website, to social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, to regularly sent newsletters.
We thought you might like a look at the faces behind GRKIDS & Co.
Each woman brings special skills to the table that ensure a consistent product for you. We are proud to be part of such a great team and are excited to bring you the best local content.
Leadership Team
Melody VanderWeide
Founder
Creative Director
INFJ. Mom of three. Idea chaser-People believer-Inspiration seeker. Together we make GR amazing – Let’s go!
Editorial Department
Elizabeth Rudd
Editor, GRKIDS and Lansing Family Fun
Co-editor, Hey Michigan
Elizabeth is a former elementary school teacher, now stay-at-home mom, to three kids. She moved to the Grand Rapids area in 2012. Elizabeth spends her time taking kids back and forth to activities, reading mysteries, hunting for great deals and spending way too much time on Facebook.
Liz Delonis
Editor, KZOOKIDS
Liz is native to the Mitten, having grown up in Metro Detroit. As a Kalamazoo transplant, this mom of two is passionate about connecting parents to find their villages. She enjoys working outside, using nerdy technology, and consuming more Twizzlers than necessary.
Kate Overbeek
Editor, HeyGR
Team Writer, Guide Specialist
Kate is a GR native. After graduating from MSU, she landed here to raise her three boys with her husband of over 20 years. She loves to travel, especially to new spaces & places. Her teenage sons keep her schedule busy and her fridge empty. But when she’s not rooting for them in sports, she’s usually skiing, playing golf, hanging around the lakeshore, and trying to catch a view of sunset.
Marketing Team
Kelly Dentler
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Kelly is a West Michigan native who has worked in a variety of fields from 911 Operator to interior design, but above all enjoys working with people. She has a passion for the arts, good coffee, and traveling with her family. Working for Hey Michigan fits perfectly with her creativity and love of exploring new places.
Laura Gifford
Guides and Sales Manager
Laura is often found volunteering at her son’s activities, coaching various sports, and helping with school and STEM events. Time to herself, while rare, is spent riding horses, walking the dog, and enjoying meals with friends, She hopes to do some “far away places” vacation planning soon.
Amy Newport
KZOOKIDS Sales
When she’s not busy being supermom, you can find Amy in nature with her trusty hiking boots and a backpack full of snacks for the family. She’s also known to start a mean bonfire, playing in the garden and loves traveling!
Ashley Grace
Sales Support
Ashley is a mom of five and a Military wife. She is always on the go. When she is not in her car driving kids around town she is a big home DIYer, from remodeling her home to helping her friends. She loves to make others happy in their own space.
Kristine Fluker
Sales, Client Reports
Kristine is a Michigan native and loves exploring our great state while camping with her husband and two teenagers. If she has any time to herself, you will probably find her curled up with a good book.
Ashley Buckner
Sales
Team Writer
Ashley is a stay at home mom of two. When she’s not mom-ing, you can find her walking the aisles of HomeGoods with a coffee in hand or dreaming up crazy DIY projects at home. She’s always down for a delicious cider at a new brewery or some good eats on a sunny patio!
Danielle Kaschyk
Sales
LFF Newsletter, Team Writer
Danielle is a wife and mom of two who stays busy writing, volunteering, and keeping up with her teenagers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, kayaking, hiking, traveling, and beach days at Lake Michigan.
Administrative Team
Erin Russell
Office Manager
Erin is a musician who attempts to balance her right-brained career choice with some left-brained office management and organization. During the lulls in her active schedule, Erin enjoys game nights with her family, cottage time by the lake, gardening and long walks with her dog. She lives in Grand Rapids with her husband and two children.
Keri Siemens
Ad Manager
Keri is a wife and mom of four who loves exploring new spots around GR, but is equally happy enjoying “pizza and movie nights” at home with the family. When she is not managing ads for GRKIDS & Co, chauffeuring children, or trying out a new crockpot recipe, you can probably find her attempting to enjoy a cup of coffee before it gets cold.
Tiffany Kamphuis
Giveaway Manager
Calendar Coordinator
A mom to three active teen boys and a wife of a former backpacker, Tiffany enjoys camping, being outdoors and hiking with her family. When she’s not managing a family or work calendar, she can often be found meal prepping in the kitchen to feed her hungry crew.
Christie Tidd
Graphic Designer
Christie is a Chicago native, turned Michigander. She’s a freelance graphic designer, wife to Gary and stay at home mom to three pretty great kids!
When she’s not being the social director, crossing off all 50 states with her family, she enjoys time at the lake, organizing anything, watercolor painting, enjoying a good hard cider and volunteering at school and church.
Writing Team
Lauren Augustyn
Newsletter Manager
Team Writer
Lauren is passionate about local journalism, politics, and spotting birds at the feeders outside her window. She enjoys exploring West Michigan with her five young kids, firepit dates with her husband, and reading every chance she gets. After growing up in Boston and living in DC, she’s proud to call GR home and is no longer startled when people are friendly to her in the grocery store.
Amber Cox
Promotions Manager, Influencer Manager, Strategy Coordinator
Team Writer
Amber has spent hundreds of hours over the past 15 years researching, planning, and taking her family on outdoor adventures.
She’s passionate about having fun, getting her three kids outside exploring their own backyard in Michigan, and encouraging other families to get outside, too.
Jill Clarin
Senior Guide Specialist
Jill is a mom to three who loves living in West Michigan and being able to enjoy all the area has to offer. Her other loves include family bike rides, exploring local trails and cheering her kids on in their activities.
Hannah Austin
Team Writer
Hannah is a wife to her husband Chris and stay-at-home mom of three. Among her favorite things are singing, Pilates, opera, dabbling in knitting and hand embroidery, writing, spending time with her family, waffles, Jesus, and a good cup of tea. She loves Michigan with her whole heart and is proud to call it home!
Sarah Koss
Researcher
Hey Michigan Newsletter
Sarah is a married Mom of two boys and a dog, who prides herself on her excellent multi-tasking skills while juggling work, her children’s activities and appointments, her pup, and her husband. Sarah enjoys reading, napping, watching football, and spending time with family and friends. Sarah was born and raised in the Lansing area and is a diehard Spartan. Go Green!
Anna Taets
Team Writer, Guide Specialist
HeyGR Newsletter
Anna was born and raised in Illinois and now lives with her husband and four boys in Michigan. She enjoys working from home for GRKIDS, as well as the lakeshore and being outdoors. Her hobbies include body movement, playing volleyball, reading, and needlework.
Danielle Kaschyk
Team Writer
Lansing Family Fun Newsletter
Sales
Danielle is a wife and mom of two who stays busy writing, volunteering, and keeping up with her teenagers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, kayaking, hiking, traveling, and beach days at Lake Michigan.
Katie Weyenberg
Team Writer, Guide Specialist
Promotions Manager, Facebook Admin, Lead Gen Coordinator
Katie is a multi-passionate freelance professional with experience in digital marketing, sales, content creation, and social media management. She currently lives in Texas Corners (Kalamazoo) with her family and is the mother of two children; her son is in 3rd grade and her daughter is in 7th grade. Katie is excited to join the KZOOKIDS team and bring her creativity, passion and problem solving skills to the company.
Staci DeVries
GRKIDS Newsletter Writer
Born in Cereal City USA (Battle Creek, MI), Staci moved to Grand Rapids for college and decided to stay. She’s a wife, mama, and happy member of the GRKIDS family. She’s passionate about community, spending time outside, and firmly believes ice cream is meant to be enjoyed all year long.
Jamie Woodburn
Writer
Jamie is a Starbucks-addicted, pun-loving mother of twins. She lives in Portage with her husband (who she met during a one-week free trial for an online dating site), said twins, and three Boxer doggos named LuLu, Dipper, and Mabel.
Michelle Smith
Guide Specialist
Michelle Smith and her husband live in Lowell where they have been homeschooling their children for many years. Michelle enjoys classical ballet and live theater, especially musicals, both being in the audience and working backstage.
Ashley Buckner
Team Writer, Newsletter Writer
Ashley is a stay at home of two. When she’s not mom-ing, you can find her walking the aisles of HomeGoods with a coffee in hand or dreaming up crazy DIY projects at home. She’s always down for a delicious cider at a new brewery or some good eats on a sunny patio!
Jacqui VandenToorn
GRKIDS Newsletter
Mama of three kiddos. Loves to play tennis competitively, spend summers on the lake, and travel outside of Michigan in the winter. Jacqui is also a speech pathologist with her own private practice.
Jen Olson
HeyGR, GRKIDS Newsletter Writer
Jennifer is a born and raised Grand Rapidian. Since she’s spent her whole life here, she loves this area. When she’s not raising her two daughters and two cats, she enjoys reading, British TV and cooking for her family – who doesn’t eat what she makes! In addition to spending time helping others see all the great stuff Grand Rapids has to offer, she works at a hospital on an orthopedic floor
Aubrey Malone
KZOOKIDS Newsletter Writer
California native who up and decided to move to Maine at age 20. Married a Maine native and now a mom to a gaggle of six crazy kids who love to adventure. Michigan transplant that has fully embraced the mitten as home. Always seeking new knowledge and adventure. If she’s not chasing her kids, you can find her outside with a book or doing some kind of crafting.
Kaitlin Scott
HeyMI Newsletter Writer
Kaitlin is a Grand Rapids local and Michigan Native. Formally educated in child development and education, she is now a self taught wedding photographer and stay at home mom to of two boys. She’s a seasoned traveler and finds the challenge of bringing young kids on a long distance trip so rewarding. She enjoys researching and planning trips with her growing family, giving restaurant recommendations to pals and spending time in nature. In her free time she’s likely pinning away new recipes on Pinterest, dreaming up her garden plans or hiking with her family. Kaitlin’s passionate about creating shared memories with her family and being involved in her community in any way she can.
Social Media Team
Crystal Vriezema
Social Media Manager
As a mom to three crazy kids, Crystal’s life is busy, but she always finds time for her favorite hobbies. When she’s not working on a new painting or decorating a cake, she can often be found exploring the nearby hiking trails or spending time near the water. Crystal loves to travel and experience new things, and she has taken her family on many adventures over the years.
Carla Hardy
Facebook Admin, Instagram, GRKIDS Newsletter
Carla is Michigan-born and raised and lives in Rockford with her husband, daughter and rescue pup. In addition to her roles with GRKIDS, she works as a librarian at a local private school – and she absolutely adores both of her jobs! She enjoys reading, word games & trivia, spending time with family & friends and binge watching TV shows with her husband.
Katie Weyenberg
Team Writer, Guide Specialist
Promotions Manager, Facebook Admin, Lead Gen Coordinator
Katie is a multi-passionate freelance professional with experience in digital marketing, sales, content creation, and social media management. She currently lives in Texas Corners (Kalamazoo) with her family and is the mother of two. Katie is excited to be part of the KZOOKIDS team and bring her creativity, passion and problem solving skills to the company.
Lavanya Gowda
TikTok
Instagram
Lavanya is a mom of two. She is originally from India and moved to the United States in 2011 with her husband. After spending her initial years in Minneapolis, she now calls Grand Rapids home. Lavanya is a social media content creator and loves sharing her family adventures with the world. When she is not online, you can find her busy doing house chores, spending time with family & friends, and exploring the world outside.
Brittany Knopf
Social Media
Brittany was born and raised in the Grand Rapids area. She is a mom to four very active boys. She loves exploring all of the kids activities and fun that Grand Rapids has to offer. When she’s not on the go, you can find her at home crafting DIY activities for her kids.
Kelsey Jean
HeyMI Social Media
HeyMI Newsletter, Team Writer
Kelsey is a stay-at-home mom of three who loves running, fitness, crafting, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Nathan, enjoy taking their kids hiking, camping, and traveling. Raised in Southeast Michigan, Kelsey has a deep love for everything about the Mitten.
Shelbi Dembinski
KZOOKIDS Social Media
KZOOKIDS Newsletter
Shelbi MacInnis is a small business owner, homeschooler and mother of two. In her free time she can be found gardening or reading a good book!
Kim Guider
Kimberly is a mom to two sweet and busy kids and wife to her high school sweetheart. When she’s not acting as activities coordinator for school, dance or sports, she enjoys DIY house projects and dreaming about her next beach vacation. She’s lived in Chicago (suburbs and city), Indy, and Washington DC, but loves raising her family here and is happy to call GR home!
Norah Vanderweide
Norah’s an adventurer; always striving to make new memories. She’s a baker, athlete, dog mom, artist, and photographer.
When she’s not working, she’s exploring and spending time in nature or the gym with her sister and her best friend.
If you wanted to add another house for Halloween Decorations, I have a cemetary with the Scooby doo gang running thru, and then we have a Batman display on the house and in the driveway, we also run a light show with Halloween tunes that you can tune your car radio too. We are at 5261 Brookwood Drive SE, Kentwood, MI 49508.
thanks for the article..
Shared on fb
How do I sign up for your newsletter I would love to vote on your next top docs around town:)
I just discovered this brilliant page! Love it…I am in Northeast MI and I want to have this for our community. Great work!
Nice work ladies!
Thanks Jackie!
site opps!!!
Wow didn’t know your team was so big!! Thanks so much for all each one of you do!! I don’t know what I would do without your sight!!
Thanks Willow! It takes a village! =)
This was great! I actually learned a few things about our team too.