Our steering committee volunteers their time, skills, and passion to bring Mom’s Morning Retreat to our community. Motherhood, sisterhood and connection are the foundation of our group.
Laura Woodward – Mom’s Morning Retreat Chair
Hi, I’m Laura! In 2023, my husband, our daughter, and I moved to Poulsbo to be closer to my mom and auntie on Bainbridge Island. As dual citizens of the US and UK, my husband and I lived abroad in England, Wales, and Tanzania since 2007. Reacquainting with American culture and being new to the area was a big transition, so it was an absolute delight to discover an authentic circle of moms who cultivate meaningful connection and practice care through reflective listening at Mom’s Morning Retreat. While my background is in psychology, language, and human resources in the nonprofit world, for the time being, I am excited to be homeschooling our daughter. (I would love to chat more if homeschooling is also intriguing/terrifying to you!)
You will usually find me making things – most often with fiber like knitting, sewing, and occasionally spinning on a wheel – or sketching, painting, and most recently shaping clay. Ever since childhood, I’ve been drawn to the mystical aspects of our universe. Lately, I’ve begun offering energy work and tarot sessions and attempt to teach yoga, all as ways to more deeply connect with community. Reading is a core part of my self-care, and baking is a wonderful bad habit (really, would you say no to pie for breakfast…?). I find solace in my garden, the trees, mountains, and the sea, reminding me that everything will be ok and we can do this thing. Nature is vital. Looking forward to seeing you soon! 🩷
Megan Landstine – Finance & Fundraising
I live in Kingston with my husband, Ian, and our three sons, and have been working on Bainbridge since 2021. I joined MMR during my third pregnancy in 2023, and it quickly became a place where I could show up fully — pregnant, tired, unsure, real — and be met with warmth instead of judgment. That kind of held space is rare, and it’s part of why I’m so glad to help steward it forward on the finance and fundraising side.
I love women. It’s the thread that runs through everything I do — as a mother, as a friend, and in my work supporting women through prenatal and postpartum fitness and whole woman care, including breast tending and scar tissue remediation. I believe deeply in women tending to women, in bodies that have been through pregnancy and birth being cared for rather than just “bounced back,” and in *community* as medicine. Feel free to reach out anytime, or text me at (360) 535-4918 — I’d love to connect.
Maggie Kizer – Digital Community
I was born and raised right here on Bainbridge Island and moved back in 2019 to raise my own family. I have been called the “yellow pages of Bainbridge” by other mamas, so reach out to me if you’re new to the island and looking for all the things. I joined MMR in Fall 2019 and I’m so grateful to give back now on the steering committee to this community that has buoyed me for so many years.
With a background in education and family support, I love helping build warm, welcoming spaces where families can take a breath, connect, and recharge. When I’m not helping out with MMR or volunteering at Helpline House, you can usually find me out exploring the Pacific Northwest – paddle boarding, walking, adventuring —with my husband Lyle, our son Eli, and our daughter Grace.
Molly Cowan – Social Outreach & Communications
As a Washington native, I grew up visiting most of my family on Bainbridge Island often. From Edmonds to Bellingham, Austin, Seattle and now here – I feel grateful that my dream of settling down on the island is finally coming true. I have two young children (ages 5 months and 2 years) and am married to my college sweetheart, Coby. When I first moved to the island freshly postpartum I experienced feelings of loneliness and isolation and longed for a community of other moms. When I searched for Mom’s Morning Retreat and saw that their first meeting of the year was the next day, I took it as a sign that this might be the place for me. Ever since, I have felt incredibly cared for, held, listened to and experienced so much joy from this beautiful community.
Instead of saying “in my free time”… (because what is free time as a parent?!) I find joy and purpose in spending time with family, being outside, baking yummy food for friends, watching movies, writing and photography/film. I’m so looking forward to meeting new and returning moms this year and spending precious mornings together. Feel free to reach out to me anytime, for a listening ear, if you could use an organized meal train or would like to plan a specific event. mollyccowan@gmail.com
Anna Gottlieb – Social Outreach & Communications
I grew up on Bainbridge Island and (after a series of adventures in Portland, Spain, Seattle and Austin) now happily live in north Kitsap county with my husband, 5 year old daughter and 3 year old son. This area along the Salish seashore has always felt like home to me and it has been a joy to put down new roots and grow community here in this season of life. Becoming a mom during the COVID pandemic made the longing for connection with other moms especially acute, and I am so thankful that I found Mom’s Morning Retreat back in 2023. MMR has been such a grounding, nourishing, and supportive space for me over the past few years and has led to blossoming and deepening connection within myself and in community.
I am excited to be joining steering this year to ensure that this space can continue to flourish and bring us together. Outside of parenting, I work part time as a therapist specializing in parenting, perinatal and pediatric mental health, and enjoy reading, travel, baking sourdough bread, paddle boarding, and jumping in the Sound as often as possible. Feel free to reach out to me anytime, if you could use support of any kind, to plan a get together, or just want to chat! (Email annajoyscott@gmail.com or text 206-499-6361 for a quicker response!)
Emily N. – Special Projects Coordinator
My life journey has gifted me with motherhood to two epic young adults and two quirky cats. My family moved 7 times in 16 years: I know what it’s like to walk in the room as the new mom. And then do it all over again. And again. And again. I am passionate about a space for women building up other women in the emotional labor of active day-to-day hands-on parenting: the grit, not the highlight reel. Your kids grow when you grow. Moms Morning Retreat offers a container for IRL encounters with laughter, tears, slow self-disclosure, and seeing the strengths in each woman’s journey. Presence over perfection. Just show up!
Mom's Morning Retreat 