By Circle of Parents

Circle of Parents is proud to recognize the following outstanding Parent Leaders for 2025.

Tonnie Cantore – The National 2025 Parent of the Year from Vermont:

Tonnie is a mom of a six-year-old son and is the Parent Leader of a Circle of Parents group for single moms. She is a survivor of a toxic domestic violence relationship and openly shares her struggles with other group members. She is at the forefront, providing a listening ear, validation, and relatable personal experience to her fellow group members. She goes beyond that and ensures the women in her group get connected to local, state, and national resources if appropriate, all of which segue into her leadership within the group. She has been active with her Circle of Parents group for three years. For the past two years, she has served on the Advisory Committee for the Family Place, a local \parent/child family center in Norwich. She has taken on numerous leadership roles at the Family Place. Tonnie is a true role model of perseverance and resilience.

Illinois Parent of the Year – Cierra Munoz – Cierra is the mom of three children – ages 2. 3 and 17.

She has been part of Circle of Parents for five years, during which time she has found a job and graduated from a nine-month program in business at the local junior college. She serves her community as a member of the Brightpoint Advisory Committee. She is a true leader and full of wisdom, helping other parents as an energetic and positive role model!

Kansas Parent of the Year – Chelle Hanson – Chellie is the mom of two children – ages 13 and 16.

She has been a part of the Circle of Parents program for three years and participates in several groups – Special Needs Parenting, Kinship Caregivers, Virtual Mom, and Positive Parenting. She has supported the Parent Leadership Conference and many other Kansas Children’s Service League activities. Chelle has gained confidence in herself and her parenting strategies. She is always open and honest, making others feel comfortable and not judged.

New Jersey Parent of the Year – Kristi Williams-Toe – Kristi is a mom of a 12-year-old and has been a part of Circle of Parents for ten years. Kristi joined the group as a young mom. Kristi lost her husband to gun violence seven years ago. Kristi has identified services to support both her and her son in navigating the storm of her husband’s sudden death, and she is turning that experience into a place of support for others. Kristi has found her voice and uses it to support other parents in the group. Kristi leads by example and practices mutual support in her everyday life, group, and religious community.

Oklahoma Parent of the Year – Tarah Palacio – Tarah is a mom of two children, ages 3 and 5, and has been part of her Circle of Parents group since its inception six months ago. Tarah is very organized and was on board and part of the planning process, assisting her group to get started. She is a strong leader in her family and attends school full-time. She will graduate with her SLP-A degree in May 2025. Tarah serves on the National Circle of Parents® PAL Team (Parents as Leaders). Her passion and self-motivation for learning new skills that will directly impact her children and family is invigorating!

West Virginia Parent of the Year – Ally Stacy – Ally is the mom of two children, ages 6 and 7. She has attended Circle of Parents for four years. Initially, she was shy, yet since becoming a Parent Leader, she has grown into a community leader, serving as the PTO Vice President and President and several other community leadership roles. Ally is always ready to help others wherever she can!

Congratulations to all our 2025 Parent Leaders! Thank you for your service to Circle of Parents and all the families you help succeed in their parenting journey in your community.

For more information about Circle of Parents, visit www.circleofparents.org or contact Julie Rivnak-McAdam, Circle of Parents Program Manager – nationalcircleofparents@gmail.com.

View the full PDF here. Additionally, if you're interested in connecting with others for support, sign up for a parent support group here.