It’s that special time of year, the March Meet The EN Team blog is here! You may have noticed that there have been a few shifts in the Educated Nannies Team in 2024 and we couldn’t be more excited about it! You will find some familiar and fresh faces here at EN, but one thing we share is that we strong women and mothers! Take a moment to get to know the Educated Nannies and Educated Newborn Care Specialist Team!
Team Member: Ryan Jordan
As women and mothers, we wear so many hats! What hats do you wear throughout your day? I am an entrepreneur, mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, chauffeur, booboo healer, therapist, room parent, event planner, cheerleader, role model, leader, caregiver, mentor, prayer warrior, financial planner, podcaster, mental load balancer, dog walker, tiny human snack dispenser, domestic manager, and coach.
What is your role at Educated Nannies? I am the Founder, CEO, and Chief People Pleaser.
What is your favorite part about your work with Educated Nannies? There are so many favorite parts! My favorite part is the people. I love our team of strong leaders and mothers! I love listening to parent’s needs, educating them about childcare and the available resources, and empowering them to make great choices. I really miss the home visits I used to do before the pandemic. That was my favorite part of the job, meeting clients or children face to face and seeing their beautiful homes! I also enjoy calling a nanny or NCS when they get the job to congratulate them and celebrate their joy. I even love helping nannies navigate through challenging situations. Brainstorming business and branding ideas is exciting. This work is super rewarding!
What inspires you outside of work? My children. They constantly give me hope and inspiration to do better and be better. I learn so much from them. I am also finding great joy in the Jay Shetty certification program, as I am constantly inspired by him and the clients I get to coach.
If you could pass along advice to other strong women, what would it be? Do your best for each day. Your best for today will not be the same as tomorrow or yesterday. Vulnerability is strength!
Click here to learn more about what inspired Ryan to create Educated Nannies, as well as our company values!
Team Member: Lisa Leone
As women and mothers we wear so many hats! What hats do you wear throughout your day? Throughout my day, I wear many hats. Currently, my biggest hat on a daily basis is matchmaking incredible staff to our clients. I enjoy meeting with all our incredible families and interviewing nannies, chefs, and personal assistants to matchmake the right team member to their home. I also get to work alongside and mentor our incredible team of women at Educated Nannies, as I oversee the day to day operations for our team. In addition, I would say my focus is on being a great mom, present and a mentor/sounding board for my college age/adult children, who call and tell me about their day and ask for advice or share about their academics and social life. It is definitely a different role parenting adults, but I am loving it and am grateful for the trust and friendship I have built with them. I also spend my days being a supportive wife and teammate to my husband on a daily basis and connecting as new empty nesters. Lastly, I try to always be present for other women and friends that may need me to just listen to them or share laughter and memories together.
How did you originally find Educated Nannies? I originally found Educated Nannies about two years ago. I actually applied to add additional days to my schedule and find an additional family to support as a nanny/family assistant. I met with Ryan, and we had an immediate connection. She valued my past experience in owning my own child development business for 10 years where I ran and managed staff and coordinated with parents and children alike, spending a few years as a nanny, and being a mother myself of 4 children. We knew we would make a great team together. I was so inspired by her and the company she created on values that I believe in deeply. I am grateful for her trust in bringing me on board to work alongside her as the Placement Director to help grow Educated Nannies and Educated Newborn Care Specialists!
What is your role at Educated Nannies? I am the Placement Director at Educated Nannies. As the Placement Director, I handle all permanent client relations from initial introductory calls, Zoom consultations, nanny presentations and interview/trial coordinations and contract negotiations. I build a relationship with our clients and keep in contact with them closely. I also sit in on all candidate interviews and speak with some references about their experiences with the candidate so that I can matchmake closely the right candidate for our clients. Lastly, I manage and help guide our wonderful temp and recruitment team in the day to day operations of the business.
What is your favorite part about your work with Educated Nannies? My favorite part about working at Educated Nannies is definitely meeting with all of our incredible clients and the trust they give to me to find them their perfect match. I also love working alongside our incredible team. Everyone is truly amazing, strong women that work so well and inspire each other. My days are crazy busy, but I truly enjoy every minute of it!
What inspires you outside of work? Outside of work, I am inspired by many things. Just to name a few, I am inspired by my church that I attend weekly and the members of my Bible study that I lead, my children and their work ethic, talent and intelligence and what they are bringing to the world, my husband and his ability to lead others well, and traveling the world and seeing how there are so many different cultures and yet when you dive in, you realize how uniquely created we all are, yet incredibly similar in our experiences and commitment to what is important in life.
If you could pass along advice to other strong women, what would it be? My advice to other strong women is to surround yourself with other strong women while also trying to uplift those that may not be as strong yet. Don’t see women as competition, but a force to be reckoned with together. We all have such unique and incredible gifts to share and complement one another. If we can appreciate each other and be inspired, everyone will be better off, rather than feeling jealousy or trying to tear down another woman.
Team Member: Hali Sell
As women and mothers we wear so many hats! What hats do you wear throughout your day? On a normal day, I am a house cleaner, cook (I say this lightly), chauffeur, coach, referee, teacher, hairdresser, and all-around caregiver. My days consist of two main things, match-making wonderful nannies, chefs, personal assistants, and NCS’s to wonderful clients, and being the sports chauffeur to my three athletes at home. We spend most of our nights and weekends at the ball field, and I would not have it any other way!
How did you originally find Educated Nannies? Through Lisa the Placement Director! I have known Lisa for many years and previously worked alongside her when she owned a few Gymboree Play & Music locations. It has been wonderful being able to partner up with her again. We are a lot alike and complement each other’s strengths.
What is your role at Educated Nannies?I am the Recruitment Coordinator. I am your first stop in your Educated Nannies process. I get the privilege of getting to know the nannies and find the best fit for them!
What is your favorite part about your work with Educated Nannies? Match-making with Lisa. I love working with my match-making partner and finding the best fit for both clients and nannies. When I meet with both, I love to get a feel for their personality and energy. It is a great way to match-make! The longer I am here and the more I communicate with all the wonderful nannies and clients, the more I love this position!
What inspires you outside of work? I find inspiration in different places. I tend to get a lot of inspiration when I am in nature. Outside at the beach or taking a hike. I love to pop my air pods in and put on a good podcast or worship music!
If you could pass along advice to other strong women, what would it be? Never underestimate your own strength. And never be too afraid to call out the gold in someone. You never know the battles others are going through, and your words could be life-changing for them.
Team Member: Jenna Somich
As women and mothers we wear so many hats! What hats do you wear throughout your day? I am a life-long athlete, childcare professional, fitness and caregiving coach, mother, wife, friend and steadfast cheerleader to all girls and women!
How did you originally find Educated Nannies? I originally found Educated Nannies over 10 years ago. I was a professional nanny in Los Angeles and was involved in many nanny organizations. The idea of an “Educated Nanny” aligned with me, as that is how I viewed myself, what I offered families, and my work as a whole. I reached out to Ryan and interviewed. I felt so inspired by her vision that I applied to be part of the team and worked with Educated Nannies originally from 2013 – 2015. My family moved to the east coast for a period of time, but returned to Southern California in 2023. I felt inspired yet again by Educated Nannies work and growth and interviewed to jump back on this amazing team!
What is your role at Educated Nannies? I am the Placement Assistant at Educated Nannies! I work specifically with the Temp Division, but also get the opportunity to help the team and jump in wherever needed! I also help create newsletters, blogs and social media posts!
What is your favorite part about your work with Educated Nannies? I have always had a passion for childcare and working with families as a professional. Since becoming a mother myself, my passion and empathy has only grown and expanded! As a previous professional nanny; I love placing nannies with families who really care for them! As a mother; I love knowing that I am sending the best of the best into the families homes to care for the children and support their little community!
What inspires you outside of work? New experiences, whether it is travel, trying new food, exploring with my family, or trying a new workout.
If you could pass along advice to other strong women, would it be? Learn from and with other women! Learn from experiences and be a brave learner! Learning takes place over a lifetime and is a journey. We are never done. There is no destination. Sit back, take it all in, enjoy… and don’t forget to pat yourself on your back, in addition to lifting others up. You deserve it!
Thank you for taking the time to get to know each of us a bit more! We look forward to connecting with you soon!
