Co-Founder, Julie Giesy Metzger, RN, MN
Julie Giesy Metzger began her nursing career at Seattle Children’s Hospital in 1981 caring for hospitalized teens and their families in the adolescent unit. The experience of working with teens who managed their lives with resilience and strength solidified her passion for adolescents and their families. In graduate school at the University of Washington School of Nursing, Julie pursued her passion through research analysis of the experiences of young women in puberty. Inspired by that work, Julie designed and delivered For Girls Only: A Heart to Heart Talk on Growing Up in 1988 while living in Pittsburgh, PA—the class became a local hit.
Julie returned to Seattle and began teaching For Girls at Seattle Children’s Hospital and launched what is now a perennial rite of passage for tens of thousands of preteen girls and their families throughout the Pacific Northwest and San Francisco Bay Areas. Over the years Julie has written and taught curricula for preteens and teens that promote strategies for decision-making, and she has written two books for preteens.
Julie has been invited to numerous school and community groups to talk to parents about topics related to adolescence. Her encouraging, straightforward approach, matched with the latest research and strategies, have made her a popular presenter.
Julie’s professional and clinical experiences include managing a pediatric unit, teaching pediatric nursing, and facilitating projects at Seattle Children’s. She and her husband are parents of three young adults who have been the primary inspiration of her work.
Co-Founder, Robert Lehman, MD
After completing his training in Pediatrics in Denver, Colorado, Rob found his passion by pursuing additional fellowship training in Adolescent Medicine. Ever since, he has been working to promote health care for teens as a teacher, clinician, and policy developer.
Over the years, Rob has managed and practiced at teen clinics in a variety of settings, including public health, specialty referral, homeless teen clinics, reproductive health, incarcerated youth, college youth, and special projects involving youth with disabilities. He has practiced and taught primary care, reproductive health, chronic care and all other aspects of the unique healthcare needs of youth to health care professionals from various disciplines.
At present, he is continually thrilled to be teaching classes on puberty and sexual health, in giving talks to families and professionals on teen health, and has co-authored a book on puberty. Rob has also been active in health policy on state and national levels as chair of the Washington Health Coalition on Children and Youth, chair of the Northwest Chapter of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, Consultant in Adolescent Health for Public Health/Seattle & King County and held an executive position in the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine, the leading international professional organization devoted to teen health. Rob serves on the Seattle STD/HIV Prevention Training Center Advisory Board and is an Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington.
Fred Capestany
Fred comes from a long, extensive background as an educator and trainer with specific experience in sexuality education. He has worked with kids of all age ranges in addition to families. Currently, he is the Director for College Support at Rainier Scholars in Seattle. In addition to working with college age students at Highline Community College and University of Puget Sound, he has also been a sexuality educator with the Seattle School District.
Greg Smallidge
Since 1996, Greg has facilitated sexuality classes for kids, teachers, parents and families. He’s worked with high school peer educators, created curriculum, and is currently producing a documentary that explores the ideas and practices of sexuality education. Greg began teaching For Boys Only in 2008, bringing an easy, comfortable style to talking with boys and their families. He is raising two boys with his wife, Susan.
Linda Brooks
A health educator since 2003, Linda facilitates processes that encourage youth to become empowered to choose and act with awareness. In the For Girls Only classes she’s been teaching since 2009, Linda enjoys providing information to enable girls and their families to communicate openly and constructively about a variety of important topics. Linda is also a professional photographer and enjoys camping, playing guitar, and teaching and learning from her son.
Amy Johnson
Amy Johnson, MSW, CSE, is passionate about healthy families and great communication. She has worked with youth and families since 1982 and with Great Conversations since 2013. Amy’s passion for helping adults and youth think intentionally about their relationships is evident in her work as a national trainer, educator, and author. When she’s not teaching, Amy enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with family and friends of all ages.
Mary Patterson
Mary Patterson is an educator, community advocate and non-profit executive. She has dedicated her work of the past 25 years to improving the health and well-being of children and youth. Mary has been teaching For Girls Only since 2008. She is also the Director of Strategic Partnerships at The Health Trust and President of the Board of Legacy Academy, a charter school serving middle school youth at risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system. Mary lives in San José, California, with her husband and two daughters.
Carlos Villarreal III
Carlos Villarreal II has been a youth educator since 1999 and has worked with youth in a variety of settings since 1999. He been teaching Heart to Heart: For Boys Only since the Summer of 2015. He enjoys making a difference and helping youth and their families. He is the father to four boys and is also a high school soccer and club soccer coach.
Elena Pacheco
Elena Pacheco has been teaching Heart To Heart in Spanish since 2008. She has been a 25 year volunteer at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. She is actively involved with undocumented high school students and advocates for the dreamers. Her dream is to make sure that each of her students can go to college.
“Someone You Should Know…” Julie Metzger – on talking to preteens about puberty/sex
Parent Map
“Rite of Way: Coming-of-Age Rituals for a New Generation” – quotes by Dr. Robert Lehman
ParentMap
“Beyond the Sex Talk: Tips for Parents of Teens and Tweens” – quotes by Julie Metzger
ParentMap
“Go ahead: Talk about sex with your kids | Sex in the Suburbs”
FEDERAL WAY Mirror
“Not your usual swimsuit model: ‘She looks like me!’” – quotes by Julie Metzger
Q13 Fox
“Your Daughter’s First Pelvic Exam” When to go, why to go, what to expect
Parent Map