Our Writers

Barb Collombin Victoria, Canada

Barb Collombin loves where she lives and being a Mom to Luke (14) Taylor (11) and Eve (8). When she isn’t searching Victoria and surrounding areas for the savviest things to do, see, and buy, she works for a local charity, Power To Be Adventure Therapy Society as a grant writer and communications consultant. Barb has worked as a writer, art consultant, dive master, and in the hotel industry, but loves being with her kids most of all, especially outside and having fun.  Barb plays tennis, does yoga, walks her one year-old white lab, Buddy, and enjoys a good cappuccino and reading great literature. 

Katie Mead Vancouver, Canada

Katie Mead is savvy Mom to Oscar (4). Having recently spent a year in Europe drinking cava and visiting every kids’ park in Northern Spain, Katie returns to her native Vancouver where she finds herself back in the non-profit sector, sharing thoughts on art and culture on her personal blog, and exploring the city through the eyes of a four year-old. On the side, she runs Springboard Consulting, a communications consultancy with her husband, Ivan, and is an amateur painter and dedicated gourmand. With mini-escort by her side, Katie’s excited to share her favourite Vancouver hot spots with other savvy moms.

Carolyn Warner North Vancouver, Canada

Carolyn is a mostly-savvy mom (like when she actually remembers it’s hot-lunch day!) to three kids: Amanda (12), Sam (10) and Jack (6), all of whom have made motherhood a joy. Carolyn spent 10 years working in Vancouver’s radio and television news where she thrived on the hectic pace. But baby number three and puppy number one made it all seem like mere child’s play! Some balance has now been restored thanks to regular doses of yoga, running and reading. She’s thrilled to be back on the ‘news beat’, getting the ‘scoop’ and spreading the news for Savvymom.ca.

Alison Rockwell Toronto, Canada

Alison Rockwell is mom to a daughter Jaime (5) and son Evan (3)...and a recent addition—‘Freddy the turtle’. In between impersonating superheroes, super-Olympians and making meals for picky eaters (Freddy included), she enjoys running marathons, coaching soccer, and spending time with a seriously fun and dynamic group of girlfriends, not to mention her husband, Jeff. Alison has worked for a children’s TV network, along with writing for several websites and magazines and was AOL Canada’s ‘Mommy Blogger’ in 2009. She loves nothing more than sourcing the latest and greatest products, places and events for her fellow Toronto moms.

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 (10) and Ciaran (7). Two everlasting tropical fish and the family dog complete the picture. 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-thieving, stapler-bashing children.

Michelle Tice Vancouver, Canada

Michelle Tice is mom to two four-year old boys, Jakob and Ryan. Yes, she has twins, and a Labrador Retriever, named Robinson, who was the number one child until the boys came along. She recently left the corporate marketing world, after close to 15 years, to become an entrepreneur because she decided that time was passing too quickly and she wanted to spend more of it with her boys, one of whom has Type 1 diabetes. She is an avid runner and skier, but having run the New York Marathon, and recently completed her first triathlon, she has now decided she likes half-marathons better, because with kids, they are way easier to train for! In February 2010, she also had the honour of being a Olympic Torch Bearer. Born and raised in Vancouver, Michelle is excited to be sharing her fave things about Vancouver with other savvy moms.

Photo by Jane Eaton Hamilton, Jane Photo

Andrea Tomkins Ottawa, Canada

Andrea Tomkins is a SavvyMom to Emma (11) and Sarah (9). A writer, photographer and web content manager, she is frequently found with camera in hand, scribbling madly in a notebook, updating her popular blog or chatting on Twitter. Her photography and writing has appeared in a variety of national and local publications. There is a special place in her heart for words (strung together in a variety of ways or just on their own), movies, food, coffee, naps, the outdoors, and going on adventures with her family. She gets an extra big thrill out of helping parents and kids discover all the hidden treasures Ottawa has to offer.