Building Community by Connecting Families.
About Us
The Grant Park Parents Network (GPPN)’s mission is to cultivate and foster relationships among families residing within Neighborhood Planning Unit W and adjacent neighborhoods. We sponsor events for children of all ages and offer opportunities for parents to become involved in the community through improving education, creating neighborhood resources, and partnering with other community organizations. The GPPN has a board of eleven volunteers. We continually need volunteers to help on the planning and implementation committees.
If you are interested in volunteering, please vicepresident@grantparkparents.org.
GPPN Board
President - NIrva Dhaya
president@grantparkparents.org
Family. Community. Food. The three pillars of Nirva’s life. He brings these to his role as President of Grant Park Parents Network. He is coming up on six years in Atlanta, with the last four in Grant Park with his partner and their two year old son. Nirva genuinely believes in the importance of community and a fun, safe environment to raise a family. He loves spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking when he’s not too exhausted from the day and a long run with their pitbull pup. His motto is “If you have opinions, we need volunteers”.
Treasurer – Chetsi Khare
treasurer@grantparkparents.org
Chetsi relocated back to Atlanta in 2015 after a few years in Houston and Little Rock for work. She and her husband, Sachin moved to Summerhill in 2020 and has since grown their family with two sons and their pup, Jack. Chetsi loves exploring the city with her family. Their favorite spots are Little Tart and the many playgrounds within walking distance. They also enjoy all the GPPN events and meeting other families in the same phase of life. Chetsi is looking forward to continue growing the community through the board.
Community – Rachel Wilbur
community@grantparkparents.org
.Rachel has lived in Atlanta since 2013, and has called Grant Park home since 2017. She loves soaking up neighborhood life with her husband and two kids, ages 5 and 2 - attending GPPN events, frequenting local restaurants, and spending time playing in the park. Rachel works for a nonprofit focused on public health and education, and outside of work she enjoys traveling, exploring local coffee shops, and cooking alongside her family. She’s thrilled to support and give back to the community that has meant so much to her family over the years.
Member at Large – Lauren Mattingly
playgroups@grantparkparents.org
Lauren and her family relocated to Atlanta from Brooklyn, NY in 2022 and have enjoyed exploring the city and making Grant Park their home. Her son, Graham, is two and Lauren truly feels like she has found such a wonderful gem of a community for him through GPPN. She has an extensive background in education having earned a MAT in Childhood Education and has worked as a teacher, school leader, and school improvement consultant for New York City public schools and the Arkansas Department of Education. When she’s not working or volunteering, you can find Lauren at a yoga class or out hunting for Atlanta’s best Americano.
Communications Chair – Audrey Ann Stoffle
communications@grantparkparents.org
Audrey grew up in the greater Atlanta area and has called this neighborhood home since 2013. She lives here with her two kids (ages 7 and 5), one cat, and a flock of chickens. As a new mom, she found community and support through GPPN and is excited to give back through board membership. Her professional background is in writing and editing, and she works as a digital content manager overseeing online education and career websites. Audrey enjoys being outside — whether it's on a run through the park, playing tennis, or riding bikes with her kids — and in the kitchen perfecting her next sourdough recipe
Executive Creative Director - Laura Canning
Playgroups Chair– Paula Goyanes
Paula has loved being a part of Grant Park's vibrant community over the last 5 years. Whether it's going for a morning walk with her two Xoloitzcuintles or a playful afternoon at the park with her daughter, every activity is elevated by interactions with the wonderful people in our community.
Through GPPN's playgroups and events, Paula found support and friendship for herself and her daughter. As playgroup chair, she is excited to spark those same connections for other families and to model volunteerism for her child.
Outside of parent life, she enjoys tinkering, making art, and sewing accessories for her dogs.
Technology Chair– Tabitha Press
marketing@grantparkparents.org
Tabitha moved to Atlanta after college for a year and never left. She moved to Grant Park with her husband Joe in 2021. They have since welcomed their young son Arthur and pup Winston. Tabitha is a proud graduate of Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business and works in Strategy & Operations. When’s she’s not chasing a toddler around, she’s passionate about baking, live music, and reading. She’s excited to give back to the community.
Member at Large – Mary Alice Tudor
Mary Alice is an Augusta, GA native (but has called many cities around the US home since birth). She moved to Atlanta after 13 years in NYC with her husband Frank in 2020, and has since found a home in Grant Park with their young son Arthur and pup Dolly. She has a communications degree from Miami University (Ohio) and a fulfilling career in Brand Marketing in Architecture & Design. She is passionate about music, road trips, and time with family and friends. She is looking forward to exploring ways to give back and engage in the community through the GPPN.
Fundraising Chair - Katherine Connell
fundraising@grantparkparents.org
Katherine and her husband, Jeremy, moved to Grant Park in June 2024 after living in Miami, FL. Originally from Birmingham, AL, they have loved getting to know their new neighborhood by exploring the park, zoo, and great local shops and restaurants. In August 2024, they welcomed their first child, Violet. Katherine has spent her career in nonprofit fundraising, focusing on foster care and education. She is excited to build connections in Grant Park and be part of an organization that supports families.
Marketing Strategy- Mary Douglas
Mary and her family have made Grant Park their home, where she loves being part of the vibrant community. She is passionate about fostering connections that support our Grant Park families. With a background in communications and marketing, she is excited to strengthen GPPN’s impact by shaping messaging, storytelling and outreach efforts.
On the weekends you can find Mary practicing yoga, finding new ways to give back to the community or just hanging at the park with her husband Lee or 3-year-old daughter.
Member at Large - Samantha Martin
Member at Large - Jenna Quinn
Jenna has a background in healthcare and moseyed her way into a sales career. She can often be found riding her e-bike with her family to various local haunts for ice cream and queso (with her daschund Tony stuffed in a bag alongside). She’s lived in Grant Park since 2021 in an old house that she loves dearly but keeps her on her toes with its various maladies. Weekends can find her with a good book on her porch. She’s happy to be here.
Interested in joining us? We would love to have you volunteer! We are always in need of help planning and operating our events.
Please email president@grantparkparents.org for more information