The team behind Washington Parent is small, experienced and award-winning. Editors, writers, designers and marketing advisors with decades of combined work in family publishing, recognized with 53 PMA Awards since 2016. The publication has served DMV families since 1983. Here are the people who make it.
PUBLISHER
Ronel Hentschel
Ronel is the publisher and digital strategist behind Washington Parent. With deep expertise in digital marketing and a genuine passion for connecting DC area families with local resources, she brings both editorial vision and business leadership to the publication. A dedicated mother of two teenage boys, she keeps the family-first perspective at the center of everything Washington Parent publishes.
EDITOR IN CHIEF
David Arkin
David has more than 25 years of editorial, audience, and digital experience leading some of the largest news organizations in the country. He has been recognized as the Local Media Association Digital News Innovator of the Year and served on the Associated Press Managing Editors Board of Directors.
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Brandi Calhoun
Brandi is the assistant editor of Washington Parent. A graduate of Texas State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, she has worked as a writer and editor since 2015. Her experience spans niche, local, and national publications, including USA Today/Gannett.
MARKETING ADVISOR & FORMER EDITOR
Karen Kullgren
A prolific writer, editor, and author of Grace in the Gray Areas: Thriving in Life’s Paradoxes, Karen served as a Washington Parent editor before moving into multimedia marketing advisory. A lifelong reader, she is already making sure her young grandson grows up with a love of books.
MARKETING ADVISOR
Karen Washburn
A Northern Virginia native and George Mason University graduate, Karen has spent 30 years helping businesses grow through advertising and digital outreach. She brings deep market knowledge and a client-centered approach to every Washington Parent partnership she manages.
MARKETING ADVISOR
Vicky Mashaw
With more than 20 years in advertising sales, Vicky specializes in helping businesses connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. At Washington Parent, she works closely with brands, organizations, and destinations to build partnerships that resonate with DC metro area families. Originally from Texas, Vicky lives in Northern Virginia and enjoys discovering family-friendly experiences and spending time with her rescue dog, Max.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Meredith Hancock
Meredith has shaped Washington Parent’s visual identity for more than two decades. A BFA in Digital Design graduate with expertise in brand and magazine design, she is guided by a simple principle: “Design to Make a Difference.” She is also an active community volunteer outside the studio.
