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Annapolis Moms

Annapolis Moms

Making Our Community Stronger, One Connection At A Time

BUSY MOMS DON’T MISS A THING!

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The Team Behind Our Community

Our dynamic and skilled team of writers are dedicated to uniting a diverse community of moms seeking the best advice and recommendations.

OUR STORY

Lisa Peri was raised in Annapolis and when she lived in LA she belonged to a Moms group that helped so much! Lisa saw a need for the same type of group back home and started the first of its kind in Anne Arundel County. Annapolis Moms was created in 2011 for Moms in Annapolis and surrounding areas to share our experiences and help each other. Like…Who’s a good plumber? Which preschools still have openings? What are you doing for summer camp?

Six months after starting Annapolis Moms, Lisa became friends with Jessica Opert at their children’s’ preschool. Jessica offered to co-lead the group and an amazing friendship was born. Today, Annapolis Moms Media reflects the values of Lisa and Jessica putting kindness first. 

Lisa and Jessica hanging out with family and friends (2012)

OUR NON PROFIT ARM

After almost a decade of managing Annapolis Moms, Lisa saw a huge need for families in hardship and moms looking for a way to help. To fill a much-needed gap of emergency relief for local families, we established  a non-profit 501(c)(3) , Friends of Annapolis Moms (FOAM), providing a safe way for our generous community of moms to fundraise and volunteer safely. To learn more, donate or volunteer, go to Friends of Annapolis Moms or contact Lisa at Lisa@Annapolismomsmedia.com

BUILD THE COMMUNITY

Join us in sharing the Annapolis Moms Facebook Group with fellow moms, fostering an environment where camaraderie and shared experiences flourish. Together, we can create a stronger bond within the community, offering a platform for open discussions, invaluable insights, local recommendations, and unwavering support. Let’s connect, uplift, and grow together as we navigate the joyful journey of motherhood. 
-xoxo Lisa and Jess 

OUR MOMS & A COUPLE OF DADS

Lisa Peri, MSW, Publisher

Lisa PERI, MSW

Founder & Chief Enthusiast

Lisa Peri has dedicated her life and career to both the parenting field and has been integral in many business ventures in sales and media. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Clark University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Lisa is also a proud mother of two wonderful children and is married to Jeff Peri.

Lisa Peri has dedicated her life and career to both the parenting field and has been integral in many business ventures in sales and media. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Clark University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Lisa is also a proud mother of two wonderful children and is married to Jeff Peri.

Lisa has over 30 years of experience in social work, development and media. In addition to her considerable experience in training and consulting with parents and children, Lisa has been quoted and interviewed in The Los Angeles Times as a child discipline expert on parenting and nanny issues and featured on several episodes of Bringing Home Baby on TLC. In 2011, Lisa founded the very dynamic Annapolis Moms Facebook group, the first of its kind in Anne Arundel County where she has interviewed hundreds of professionals for the moms in her Facebook group.

Lisa also founded and established the non-profit, Friends of Annapolis Moms (FOAM), providing a safe way for our generous community of moms to fund-raise and volunteer safely. 

Lisa still consults with businesses and non-profits. If your business or non-profit needs help, please contact lisa@annapolismomsmedia.com 

Jessica Opert, Co-Founder and Chief Admin

Jessica Opert

Co-Founder & Administrator

Jessica grew up in New York on Long Island. She graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After graduation, she worked at Digital Equipment Corporation for several years as a Sales Development Specialist. She got married and started her real estate career the same year, in 1993. Jessica enjoyed 23 successful years with Long & Foster Realtors as an Associate Broker, licensed in Maryland, DC and Virginia.

Jessica grew up in New York on Long Island. She graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.  After graduation, she worked at Digital Equipment Corporation for several years as a Sales Development Specialist. She got married and started her real estate career the same year, in 1993.  Jessica enjoyed 23 successful years with Long & Foster Realtors as an Associate Broker, licensed in Maryland, DC and Virginia.  

She and her family spent weekends and summers in the Annapolis area and laid down roots in 2007 embracing her new home.  Once her little one was out of preschool, she found her passion teaching preschool children at Temple Beth Shalom’s Early Childhood Program in Arnold.

Jessica joined Lisa in 2011 to help Annapolis Moms grow organically supporting moms around the area.  Jessica backs up Lisa and other staff wherever needed. Her priority is membership, post approvals, editing, and protecting the integrity of the group to create a safe, enjoyable and kind place where moms can share, laugh, love, support, and advise.

Sandy Biello, Marketing Director

Sandy Biello

Marketing Director

Sandy, a dedicated small business advocate with over a decade of experience, channels her passion for entrepreneurship from her roots in her family’s immigrant-run restaurant. Now residing in Edgewater, she brings a local perspective to her work, having transitioned from her North Carolina hometown to Annapolis area after meeting her husband in 2016.

Sandy, a dedicated small business advocate with over a decade of experience, channels her passion for entrepreneurship from her roots in her family’s immigrant-run restaurant. Now residing in Edgewater, she brings a local perspective to her work, having transitioned from her North Carolina hometown to Annapolis area after meeting her husband in 2016.

In 2022, Sandy welcomed her son, adding a new chapter to her family’s love for water activities, hiking, and entertaining. As a devoted mom, she’s committed to empowering businesses, ensuring their messages resonate effectively within the community, understanding intimately the challenges and dreams of her fellow parents.

Jeff Peri, Operations

JEFF PERI

Operations

Jeff is a seasoned entrepreneur who started his first company while still a student at UCLA. After graduating, Jeff dedicated 15 years to building successful film and television services company that worked with all of the major Hollywood studios and numerous independent productions. He also started an innovative, natural cleaning products company that sold its products in more than 500 stores, including Whole Foods, Disney, Smart Car and The MarMaxx Group. 

Jeff is a seasoned entrepreneur who started his first company while still a student at UCLA. After graduating, Jeff dedicated 15 years to building successful film and television services company that worked with all of the major Hollywood studios and numerous independent productions. He also started an innovative, natural cleaning products company that sold its products in more than 500 stores, including Whole Foods, Disney, Smart Car and The MarMaxx Group. 

Most recently, Jeff was a Senior Account Executive for Compass Marketing Inc. leading in strategic channel development and marketing for the largest CPG brands in the world including P&G, Colgate-Palmolive, Ferrero, Johnson & Johnson, Duracell, Splenda and many more. He is the husband to Lisa Peri and father of two young adult daughters.

Diana Love, Lifestyle Contributor, Foraging for Falvor

Diana LOVE

 Lifestyle Contributor, Foraging For Flavor

Diana Love is an award-winning journalist in Annapolis, Maryland. She is a 1995 graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and International Business and a minor in Spanish. 

Diana Love is an award-winning journalist in Annapolis, Maryland. She is a 1995 graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and International Business and a minor in Spanish. 

Diana formerly worked in International Business for Tiffany & Co. and LeSportsac, Inc., and in Marketing and Communications for companies like Whole Foods Market, Homestead Gardens and Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Diana writes for newsletters, websites, newspapers, blogs and magazines. She was Editor-in-Chief of GreenBook Magazine, a locally owned publication, and staff writer for What’s Up Media, where she was a Folio Award Eddie and Ozzie Finalist for her articles “Malva Savatrucha” and “Disappearing Islands of the Chesapeake Bay”. Throughout Diana’s career as a freelance community journalist, she’s written for numerous publications on topics ranging from hard-hitting exposes to lighthearted takes on hiking the Appalachian Trail.

In 2020, Diana founded the West Annapolis Pop Up Pantry with her daughter Gemma Love, working with community partners like West Annapolis Business Affiliation, Friends of Annapolis Moms and Annapolis Community Foundation. Diana is one of the founding members and was the Program Director for Friends of Annapolis Moms, the charitable giving arm of Annapolis Moms Media. She is married and is a proud mother of two children.You can reach her at foragingforflavor@gmail.com.

FRANK BOLINKSY, Parks & Rec Contributor, Are We There Yet!?

FRANK BOLINKSY

Parks & Rec Contributor, Are We There Yet!?

Frank works for the DOD where he manages a group of cyber defense researchers.  His absolute favorite thing to do in his spare time is to drag his family all over the state to see new things.  He loves to camp, hike, fish, bike, kayak, or do anything that gets him out of the house.

Frank works for the DOD where he manages a group of cyber defense researchers.  His absolute favorite thing to do in his spare time is to drag his family all over the state to see new things.  He loves to camp, hike, fish, bike, kayak, or do anything that gets him out of the house.  He’s equally content to check out a new playground or museum.  You may recognize his name as he frequently posts the park guide he created on the Annapolis Mom’s Facebook Group. Frank currently lives in Arnold with his intelligent and beautiful wife, young daughter, and an elementary school aged son, and their decades old deaf cat.   You can follow his adventures on Instagram @adventureswithemmett and you can reach him at fbolinsky@gmail.com if you have questions about things to do with your children.

Jillian Amodio, LMSW, Contributor, Mental Health

JILLIAN aMODIO, LMSW

Editor

Jillian is a woman of many talents. She started her career as a business owner and yoga instructor and then spent many years as a freelance writer, editor, and content creator which eventually landed her at What’s Up Media as the Beauty Blogger and Product Reviewer. Later in her career she found a passion for women’s mental health issues and earned her degree as a social worker from Salisbury University.

Jillian is a woman of many talents. She started her career as a business owner and yoga instructor and then spent many years as a freelance writer, editor, and content creator which eventually landed her at What’s Up Media as the Beauty Blogger and Product Reviewer. Later in her career she found a passion for women’s mental health issues and earned her degree as a social worker from Salisbury University.

Jillian is now a licensed Master of Social Work and founder of Moms for Mental Health. She now combines her talent as a writer and social worker to share information about women’s mental health issues. She has been featured in Parents, Real Simple Magazine, Psychology Today Magazine, Shape Magazine, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, HealthLine, US News and World Report, Associated Press, USA Today, Fox News, Psych Central, WFLA TV, NBC, Chesapeake Family, What’s Up Annapolis Magazine, Capital Gazette, Bay Weekly, WTOP, Washington Times, Washington Post, CBS Local, and more. She can be reached at Jillian@WaypointWellnessCenter.com 

Patrice Craig, Contributor, Musing of a Hot Mess Mom

PATRICE CRAIG

Contributor, Musing of a Hot Mess Mom

Patrice’s decades long career has focused on creating and implementing marketing and business strategies for woman-owned businesses with such companies as Athleta, Felicia Searcy and Peppy Profit Place. Most recently, she founded Rose Gold Consulting, where she is driven by a profound passion for empowering and supporting women in achieving their business aspirations.

Patrice’s decades long career has focused on creating and implementing marketing and business strategies for woman-owned businesses with such companies as Athleta, Felicia Searcy and Peppy Profit Place. Most recently, she founded Rose Gold Consulting, where she is driven by a profound passion for empowering and supporting women in achieving their business aspirations.

As the voice behind Musings of a Hot Mess Mom, you can follow her journey of candid reflections, relatable anecdotes, and the undeniable beauty of the chaotic yet rewarding world of motherhood.

Patrice Craig is a long-time Annapolis Mom bringing her New York sarcasm to the joys of parenting. Momma to many children and two dogs – she may not have all the answers, but she has a lot of opinions.

Danielle Lawrance, Contributing Photographer

Danielle LawrAnce

 Contributor, Photography

After spending 15 years as a wedding and event planner in San Francisco and Boston, Danielle took a part-time photography passion spanning two decades and made it a full-time dream career when moving to Maryland in 2014. Being easily adaptable to any situation, along with years of experience, allows her to quickly anticipate what comes next. 

Diana Love is an award-winning journalist in Annapolis, Maryland. She is a 1995 graduate of Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and International Business and a minor in Spanish. 

Diana formerly worked in International Business for Tiffany & Co. and LeSportsac, Inc., and in Marketing and Communications for companies like Whole Foods Market, Homestead Gardens and Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Diana writes for newsletters, websites, newspapers, blogs and magazines. She was Editor-in-Chief of GreenBook Magazine, a locally owned publication, and staff writer for What’s Up Media, where she was a Folio Award Eddie and Ozzie Finalist for her articles “Malva Savatrucha” and “Disappearing Islands of the Chesapeake Bay”. Throughout Diana’s career as a freelance community journalist, she’s written for numerous publications on topics ranging from hard-hitting exposes to lighthearted takes on hiking the Appalachian Trail.

In 2020, Diana founded the West Annapolis Pop Up Pantry with her daughter Gemma Love, working with community partners like West Annapolis Business Affiliation, Friends of Annapolis Moms and Annapolis Community Foundation. Diana is one of the founding members and was the Program Director for Friends of Annapolis Moms, the charitable giving arm of Annapolis Moms Media. She is married and is a proud mother of two children.You can reach her at foragingforflavor@gmail.com.

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