Meet the Contributor Team…

The EVM team of contributors features local, real moms, just like you! We’re not a group of influencers by trade, we’re just nextdoor moms who love the East Valley, and who love to keep it real, and overshare a little (in the best way possible). 

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Kira Henning

Contributor since 2017
Coffee order:
 Iced coffee with coconut milk
Favorite family tradition:The day after Thanksgiving. The whole family stays in PJs, makes soup, decorates and watches Christmas movies.

Kira is a busy working mama of 4 (3 chicks and a little guy) and lives in NE Mesa. She and her husband are high school sweethearts and moved to Arizona from the Midwest almost 10 years ago now.

Kira likes a good project, iced coffee, CrossFit and Yoga, gin, and Marshmallow Dream Bars. She dislikes the school pickup line, emptying the dishwasher, and mom shaming.

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Cara Lespron

Contributor since 2018
Coffee Order: Iced triple espresso with 2 pumps vanilla and half and half
Best Mom-Advice You’ve Been Given: Choose your battles.

Cara is a thirty-something, second-generation Arizona Native. She grew up in NE Mesa and still has a deep love for the East Valley. She moved around the state a bit before planting roots in Old Town Scottsdale with her family.

Cara started writing for East Valley Moms in 2018 as a way to reconnect with the East Valley after living in Tucson for a few years. She took the position as Editor in early 2020 and added Site Manager to her resume in September 2020. In Summer 2022, she returned to the office and is getting reacquainted with full-time, working-mom life.

In her free time, Cara can be found at Barre3 or continuing her search for the best margarita in town.

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Megan Lankford

Contributor since 2019
Coffee order:
 Iced chai with coconut milk
Best mom-advice ever received: They won’t go to college still waking at night/un-potty trained/with a paci/etc.

Megan is originally from North Florida, but has called the East Valley her home since 2009. She has been married to the love of her life, Matt, for 10 years and they have 3 boys, Jacob (5), Aaron (2), and Jordan (born January 2024).

Former lawyer turned former church bookkeeper turned SAHM, she has faithfully served on the leadership team for a local MomCo group for the past 5 years and is just trying to make up this whole mom thing as she goes along.

Lover of Jesus, daily naps, and finding something to laugh at in all situations, most days you can simply find Megan leaning on the wisdom and encouragement of her amazing tribe of mom friends!

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Britt Van Sickle

Contributor since 2021
Coffee order:
 Iced vanilla chai tea with 2 pumps of hazelnut
Best mom-advice: Give yourself grace.

Britt is a divorced mom of 3, living the co-parenting life. She’s an AZ native and actively engaged in the community, politics, local art and fashion and the 2nd Amendment. Britt is a shoe obsessed, self proclaimed fashionista, lover of all things bumblebee and history.

When she’s not finding new adventures with her kids, she’s volunteering with the Junior League of Phoenix training up fellow female leaders in the community.

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Jessica Loken

Contributor since 2021
Favorite EV date night activity: 
Dinner and drinks in Downtown Gilbert
Favorite EV Restaurants: Joyride and Blue Wasabi

I’m Jessica. I live in Gilbert Arizona. I have twin boys and I have been married for 15 years. My husband and I both work for the city of Mesa. I did dental for 21 years so if you need tips I’m here!

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Amanda Backus

Contributor since 2022
Favorite thing about the East Valley:
The sense of community that our Queen Creek brings through the numerous community events they host
Favorite EV Restaurant: Old Ellsworth Brewery

Amanda is a native Midwesterner who decided to ditch the cold weather for the west coasts warmer weather in her mid-20’s. She has lived in Queen Creek since 2016 and is married to her favorite human, Ryan. Together they share four boys (yay boy moms!), two of whom are her step-sons.

Amanda is a full-time manager at a large bank but she tends to be a jack of all trades; still holding her cosmetology and esthetics licenses, as well as doing balloon decor (previously having an event business) when asked. In her free time you can find her cooking new foods, finishing a DIY house project, crafting with her kids, watching trashy reality TV and Vikings football, and sharing funny-to-her Instagram reels.

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Barbara Dombrowski

Contributor since 2022
Favorite sweet treat: 
Chocolate chip cookies
Best mom advice: You’re doing great!

Barbara is a proud Arizona Native, born and raised in Mesa and currently residing in Chandler with her husband, two sons, and one fur baby.

After thirteen years of teaching second grade and working as a Reading Specialist, she traded in the teacher life for the stay at home mom life.

She loves her Catholic faith, a good book, and any meal she does not have to cook.

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Tiffany Richardson-Henderson

Contributor since 2022
Favorite EV date night activity: 
Dinner and dancing at Barrio Queen or Whiskey Row
Favorite EV Restaurants:Buddyz Pizza

Tiffany is an AZ transplant from MI. She has lived in every city in the East Valley, currently nestled in the San Tan Valley/Florence area. She resides with her husband and their 5 children. Tiffany has children in every stage of life: Sierra (20), Aaliyah (11), Lanai (10), Anna-Gabrielle (7), and Terry III (4).

Juggling her new career as a teacher with her duties at home is challenging, but her faith and humor keep her going. Tiffany is currently focusing on fitness and putting herself first for the first time in her life. She is ready to conquer her fears and accomplish her goals!

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Our Resident Grandma Contributor…

Ginger Fleishans

‘Grandma Guest Post’ author, Ginger Fleishans, has one ability that few others at EVMB has:  she can (correctly) answer most anything on a 60’s slang quiz.  Not that she’s studied the 60’s – she lived it:  she’s the Grandma. Today’s norms are often a mystery –changes in social behaviors, work protocol, and communication never fail to amaze, especially the wide range of talent displayed by today’s young moms. But one thing hasn’t changed:  we all agree that being a mom is one of the toughest jobs ever. And our babies are more precious than gold. 

With 33 years of marriage under her belt, Ginger believes that family is one’s strongest touchstone, worth preserving at all costs. Her family calls her a professional volunteer, she is active supporting her church and local school as a newsletter writer, fundraiser and social event planner. 

If you want to bribe her, just suggest the Sugar Bowl in Old Town Scottsdale or a glass of pinot grigio.