BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEET THE LWL TEAM!
Learn more about our amazing board members below! Headshots by R1Twenty Photography
Sarah Puskas
Founder & CEO
Meet the Director: Hey everyone! If you’ve been following us for a while, you probably know me by now but in case you don’t or you’re new here, my name is Sarah Puskas. I am the creator & CEO of Lorain with Littles or LwL for short. I have a 4 year old son and 1.5 year old daughter, plus 2 bonus boys, ages 12 & 13. I was born and raised in Lorain but went out to Arizona for college at the Art Institute of Phoenix where I earned my Bachelors in Graphic & Web Design. I got my “dream design job” after graduation but ultimately made the extremely tough decision to move back home to be closer to family in 2018. I became a first time mom during the 2020 Covid Pandemic and struggled big time with PPD, especially being so isolated during quarantine as a stay at home mom. After a friend invited me to a library story time (shout out to Rachel) it opened up a whole new world of free fun for my son and I! Then I started following Clewithkids which was a huge part of what inspired the LwL page & the rest is history! Last fall I went back to work full-time as a Parent & Youth Ambassador for the Child Care Resource Center in Lorain. I absolutely love my job because I get to help families which is what I was already trying to do with LwL! It’s been tricky adjusting to working full-time while also trying to balance family & home life and running LwL but I’m so passionate about all 3 and they all bring me so much joy and fulfillment 🥹 (Most of all being a mama of course) 💕 Last but not least, I’m very grateful and blessed to have an awesome group of talented and generous individuals for our Lorain with Littles Board. In the coming weeks we will be sharing more about them in our “Meet the Board Series” so stay tuned for that & as always, thank you all so much for being here!
Heather Knoble
Board Secretary
Meet our Lorain with Littles Board Secretary, Heather Knoble! She has been such a huge support internally since taking on the title of Board Secretary. Her knowledge & experience, along with her kind, calm, and professional demeanor has been such an asset to the team and we are very lucky to have her filling such a vital role in our organization! 💕 Heather Knoble is a dedicated advocate for early childhood development, family support, and the special needs community. She currently serves as the Early Intervention Supervisor for the Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities, overseeing services for more than 450 infants and toddlers and their families. With over 23 years of experience in early intervention and developmental disabilities, Heather has a strong background in child development, special needs, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Heather holds a B.S. in Child and Family Community Services and an M.Ed. in Special Education with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorder, both from Bowling Green State University. In 2024, she was nominated & chosen as a Blessing House Hero for Children, recognizing her work & dedication to the children & families of Lorain County. Passionate about strengthening connections for families with young children, she brings a wealth of expertise and commitment to her role as a board member. In her spare time, Heather enjoys golf, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Angel Messer
Treasurer
Next in our Meet the Board Series is our Treasurer, Angel Messer. She’s one of our “OG” or “veteran” mamas as I like to call those who has been around since the beginning and are regulars at all of our events. She has been one of our biggest supporters and truly believes in LwL and our mission. We’re so grateful to have her as a dedicated member of the board and as an official part of the LwL family, even though she already has been for quite some time 🫶 Angel Messer is a dedicated mother, a valued professional, and a committed member of her community. She is the proud parent of a three-year-old son, and her commitment to family is a central part of her life. Angel's professional journey reflects her strong work ethic and attention to detail. For five years, she contributed her skills to the legal field at the office of Stanley Stein Esquire. Currently, she serves as an Accounting Assistant at Absolute Machine Tools, where she has been a vital part of the team for the past three years. Beyond her professional life, Angel finds joy and fulfillment in a variety of creative and nurturing hobbies. She has a passion for gardening, cultivating both beauty and sustenance from the earth. Her skills extend to the art of sewing, where she brings her creative visions to life. She also nurtures a thriving collection of houseplants, demonstrating her care for living things. Furthermore, she enjoys crafting, and most importantly, cherishes spending quality time with her family. For the past two years, Angel has also been actively involved in "Lorain with Littles." She has been a consistent presence at community events, contributing her efforts to their success and demonstrating her dedication to enriching the lives of young children in Lorain. Angel's diverse interests, dedication to both her family and her work, and her active involvement in her community paint a portrait of a well-rounded and engaged individual who is deeply rooted in her hometown of Lorain.
Rachael Ellis
Board Member
Next in our Meet the Board series is Rachael Ellis! She has shown a ton of initiative since joining the team & is always willing to help out wherever she can. She continues to go above and beyond for the littles of Lorain and we’re so grateful for her commitment to our cause. Hello! My name is Rachael Ellis. I have 2 daughters, 4 years old and 2.5 years old, plus 2 bonus boys, ages 16 & 19. I was born and raised in Parma. When I met my boyfriend in 2019, I moved to Lorain. I work at Summit Racing Equipment and am have been there since September 2023. When I first learned about LwL, I loved the idea of getting out with your kids for free activities and seeing your child meet new friends and learn new songs and dances. When I saw they were creating a board and accepting applications, I knew I had to participate and be involved in such an amazing community.
Deanna Johnson
Board Member
Next, meet our Fundraising Coordinator, Deanna Szente. You may have seen her and her littles at our events as they’ve been regular attendees for quite some time. Deanna has been contributing to our cause long before she was an official board member and was one of our biggest supporters/donors, frequently donating snacks and supplies for Play Dates. Her giving heart, outgoing spirit, and willingness to advocate for families & youth make her such a huge asset to the team 💕 Deanna Szente is a dedicated mother of three from Avon Lake. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Lorain County Community College and is proud to represent Ohio down in Washington D.C. for Strolling Thunder 2025. Outside of her advocacy, Deanna enjoys exploring the world with her kids, diving into gardening as a newfound hobby, and indulging in her love for reading. She balances family, personal growth, and community involvement, creating a meaningful and adventurous life for herself and her family. Deanna joined LwL to help create a positive impact for the children in her community.
Dawn Woodward
Board Member
We first met Dawn Woodward back in 2022 at one of her library story times. As you probably know, we used to make our rounds to the different library story times and Ms. Dawn’s was hands down one of our faves! She was SO good with the kids and you could tell she really put her heart into planning special activities for them 💕 She was one of our first and biggest supporters before we even officially started Lorain with Littles so we were absolutely thrilled when she applied to be on the board! Dawn is a passionate librarian who loves inspiring a lifelong love of reading! As a published author and advocate for inclusive literacy, she’s all about building connections through stories. Her enthusiasm for early childhood development and legendary storytime skills brought her to Lorain with Littles. Dawn has written impactful articles championing the importance of diverse library collections and believes every child deserves to find their story. She’s turned library spaces—both school and public—into vibrant hubs of imagination, learning, and equity, empowering kids from all backgrounds to discover the magic of books!
Alexis Rodriguez
Board Member
We are excited to introduce you to Alexis! She, like all our board members, brings some great knowledge and experience to the team. We are so grateful for her commitment to our cause and that she is part of the LwL Fam 💖 Alexis Aguayo-Rodriguez was born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, where she developed a deep-rooted connection to her community. Her upbringing emphasized the importance of giving back, a value she continues to carry with her in all aspects of her life. After completing her Bachelor’s degree at Cleveland State University, Alexis pursued a Master’s degree from Tiffin University, solidifying her dedication to education and self-growth. Throughout her academic journey, Alexis remained focused on her passion for helping others, which has always been the guiding force behind her career and personal endeavors. Alexis comes with a whirlwind of experience in various business areas. She is currently employed at a government agency as a Grants Manager. Alexis is married to her amazing husband of 8 years and a proud mother of two girls with her youngest being born in March! She values her family and looks forward to building a bright future together. As a mother, she is especially excited to have found Lorain with Littles, a community that aligns with her values and passion for nurturing the next generation. Above all, Alexis is driven by a true commitment to service and community involvement, continuously striving to make a positive impact on the lives of those around her. Her passion for helping others is at the heart of everything she does, and she remains dedicated to fostering growth, opportunity, and kindness in her community. In her spare time she loves traveling to tropical places, playing cards, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Mitsy Rodriguez
Board Member
Next up is Mitsy Rodriguez. Mitsy brings such great energy to the team and has a huge heart for helping her community! She admirably stands up for what she believes in and we’re so excited for her to take on the role as a Community Outreach Specialist in the future as we continue to grow our organization. 💕 Mitsy is a Patient Service Specialist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Therapy Services, where she plays a key role in coordinating services for children who need physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Her dedication to ensuring families receive the support they need in their healthcare journey is central to her work. In addition to her role at Cleveland Clinic, Mitsy is the Media and Event Coordinator for CrossPointe Misión Hispana, where she is deeply involved in the children's ministry and helps coordinate major events like the annual Latin Festival and Vacation Bible School. Her passion for working with kids and the community is evident in everything she does. Mitsy began her career at PNC Bank, where she spent 11 years in various customer service and administrative roles, building a strong foundation in client relations and service. Outside of her professional life, Mitsy owns a balloon décor and custom apparel business Blessed Creations by Mitsy, which allows her to express her creativity and bring joy to celebrations. As a mother of three, she loves spending time with her family and friends, always finding ways to bring smiles to others' faces. A lover of music, she also enjoys singing in her spare time.
Kaitlin Huff
Board Member
We’re happy to introduce Kaitlin Huff, an active member in the community and all around awesome person! She has such a genuine personality, is so great with kids and we’re very lucky to have her on board. Kaitlin (Kaitie) is a compassionate and experienced childcare professional with over a decade of hands-on experience working with children from infancy through age 12. Her background spans roles in both educational and home settings, where she has consistently demonstrated a nurturing approach and a strong commitment to supporting children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. Currently serving as a Special Education Paraprofessional with Lorain City Schools, Kaitlin provides vital classroom support, fosters a safe and engaging learning environment, and specializes in promoting social-emotional learning and behavioral support. Her previous roles include working as a Private Family Nanny and a trusted Freelance Babysitter, where she delivered personalized care and educational enrichment for multiple families. Recently, she has started a charity in memory of her late father, 70 Athletics, which helps to raise money for youth sports in Lorain & Lorain County. In her spare time you can find her reading, bingeing true crime, spending time with family and friends and going on adventures with her dog, Theo With expertise in active listening, age-appropriate communication, planning and organization, and creative problem-solving, Kaitlin brings a well-rounded, empathetic, and proactive approach to childcare. Her passion lies in creating positive, structured environments where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Alexa Tucker
Board Member
Alexa has a huge heart for giving back to others and helping those in need. We’re particularly excited to utilize her experience in social work and the mental health field and have lots of ideas up our sleeves for ways to serve families in our community on an even deeper level. I have 2 sons turning 5 and 2 this summer named Barrett and Wylder. I was born in Lorain, but attended Keystone schools for most of my schooling. I received a Bachelors in Psychology from Cleveland State University, a Success Coaching and Mentoring certificate from LCCC, and an Executive Leadership certificate from the National Society of Leadership and Success. I currently attend Cleveland State University for a Master of Social Work degree. I aspire to work with children in crisis. I am slowly but surely working on a grant writing certificate. I am a proud Christian, attending Church of the Open Door Lorain, where I serve on the worship team. I love to sing worship songs as I tend to my flower garden at home early in the morning in the spring and summer. I serve on another nonprofit’s board for youth empowerment called The Grind League. I have previously worked as a mental health case manager and crisis assistant at The Nord Center (now called Riveon), and have recently worked part time as a mental health tech at a mental health hospital. I get to marry the man who makes my dreams come true this fall. Our 2 boys are over the moon to help us with the details!! I applied to be on the board for Lorain With Littles after being impressed time after time with the thoughtfulness of each play date I’d attend, watching social media for the play dates that were sold out, seeing a true community build. I knew I would enjoy contributing whatever I could and felt drawn to not only the purpose, but the women (and man) behind LWL!! It’s simple- my fellow board members are positive, kind, creative, and hardworking. Who doesn’t want to be involved in something like that!!
Jacob Diaz
Board Member
Last but certainly not least, meet our “token dad” on the LwL Board of Directors, Jake! He’s not only an awesome dad, but a great person and team player! We are so lucky to have him and appreciate all he brings to the table, including creative ideas, a father’s point of view, and all around good vibes! Hi, my name is Jacob Diaz, and I’m excited to serve as a board member for Lorain with Littles. As the only male on the board, I appreciate the opportunity to bring a unique perspective and learn from the strong team around me. I’ve worked as an HPC provider for the state of Ohio for six years, and I’ve always been passionate about helping others and giving back to my community. Outside of work, I’m a proud father to a six-year-old son. We enjoy spending time together collecting cards and golfing. I joined this board because I believe in the impact we can have on future generations, and I’m grateful for the chance to be part of something meaningful.
PARTNERSHIPS
We are proud to be official partners of these amazing local organization. Click on their logos to go to their websites and learn more about all they do for littles in our community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please send us a message.
FEATURED ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
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