Our Writers

Martha Cass Toronto, Canada

Is a SavvyMom to a small army of young boys, Benjamin (8), Nathan (5) and Daniel (2). Before joining ‘Team Mom’, Martha was the head of public and investor relations for Canada’s first publicly-traded online retailer and put in long hours at many of the country’s top PR agencies. Thinking that motherhood would give her a chance to slow down (ignorance is bliss), Martha became a freelance communications consultant and writer after Ben’s arrival. She loves to explore all that Toronto has to offer kids and moms and go on great adventures with her boys and husband Randy. Martha is also writing her first novel and looks forward to it being completed sometime in the spring of 2025.

Heather Johnson Calgary, Canada

A friend recently described SavvyMom writer Heather Johnson as peaceful and calm. Hah! As a mom to two very active and affectionate boys, Jayden (8) and Drew (4), Heather thinks panicked and tired are more appropriate (just kidding). She finely balances a part-time freelance writing career with her other job titles: chauffeur, nurse, chef (ok, that might be a bit of a stretch) to name a few. Heather has a background in television and communications, and loves spending time sousing out the latest and greatest services, products and events the burgeoning city has to offer. She also loves being in the know making her a great fit for SavvyMom. Besides family time, Heather loves skiing, yoga, gardening and her dogs Dottie and Dali. It’s a busy life.

Patti Ryan Ottawa, Canada

Is a SavvyMom to one girl and one boy: Chloe (9) and Ciaran (7). Her parenting experience has been that just when she thought it was all going to get easier (no more diapers, both kids in school), life has, incredibly, become busier. An array of kids’ lessons and activities—hockey, ringette, soccer, piano, swimming, art and more—as well as her pedestrian (as in walking, not as in dull!) lifestyle in a friendly central Ottawa neighbourhood keep her on her toes and in tune with everything the city has to offer. Patti is an award-winning freelance writer who has contributed articles to a variety of national newspapers and magazines. In addition to her SavvyMom duties, she runs her own writing and editing business, Southside Communications, from a home office, wearily defending her place of business against the persistent advances of two keyboard-sabotaging, paper-clip-mangling children.

Michelle Tice Vancouver, Canada

Michelle Tice is mom to 2 three-year old boys, Jakob and Ryan. Yes, she has twins, and a Labrador Retriever, named Robinson, who was the number one child until two years ago. With experience in the world of corporate marketing for over ten years, she decided that time was passing too quickly and she wanted to spend more of it with her boys. She now enjoys spending more time with her kids, participates regularly in a local mom’s writing group, is an avid runner and skier and is currently training for her first triathlon. All that while writing for SavvyMom. Whew. Born and raised in Vancouver, Michelle is excited to be sharing her fave things about Vancouver with other moms. 

Andrea Tomkins Ottawa, Canada

Andrea Tomkins is a SavvyMom to Emma (10) and Sarah (8). A freelance writer and web content manager, she is frequently found with camera in hand, scribbling madly in a notebook, or updating her popular blog. Her photography and writing has appeared in a variety of publications and she is a columnist for her neighbourhood paper, The Kitchissippi Times. She loves words (strung together in a variety of ways or just on their own), movies, food, coffee, naps, the outdoors, and the arts. Most of all, she likes to go on adventures with her family.

Photo by Bruce Deachman.