FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Parent Engagement Network Welcomes Melanie Piazza as Executive Director
As PEN celebrates 25 years of supporting parents, Piazza steps into leadership to guide the organization’s next chapter.
BROOMFIELD, Colo. — June 2, 2026. The Parent Engagement Network (PEN) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Melanie Piazza as the organization’s new Executive Director. Piazza first joined PEN as a member of the Board of Directors in 2025 before stepping into the role of Interim Director earlier this year. Following a successful transition period, she has officially accepted the position of Executive Director.
Piazza brings a unique blend of business and marketing expertise, entrepreneurial leadership, and a deep commitment to supporting parents and families. She began her career as a corporate buyer before realizing her passion lay in building meaningful community connections for parents and families. Drawing from her own experiences navigating early parenthood, she founded Family Village, a cooperative coworking, childcare, and community center that served families across Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins for eight years.
Through that work, Piazza developed a strong understanding of the challenges parents face and the importance of accessible support systems.
“Parents were never meant to do this alone,” said Piazza. “Every parent deserves connection, support, and access to trusted resources. PEN has spent the past 25 years creating those opportunities for families, and I’m honored to continue and grow that work alongside this incredible community.”
Piazza’s leadership reflects PEN’s mission to connect parents with practical tools, expert resources, and a supportive community so families can thrive.
“Melanie brings both professional expertise and genuine compassion to this role,” said Kathy Valentine, President of the PEN Board of Directors. “Her entrepreneurial background, community-centered leadership, and deep commitment to parents and caregivers make her a great fit to lead PEN into our next chapter. We are very much looking forward to what is to come.”
Founded in 2001, PEN was created in response to a call to action from the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) to address growing concerns around youth substance use. Supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, BVSD established a Substance Abuse Task Force that included a parent-led initiative focused on engaging, educating, and empowering parents. That initiative became the Parent Engagement Network.
Today, PEN serves families across Boulder, Broomfield, and Weld Counties through workshops, conferences, peer groups and community gatherings, speaking engagements, parenting book groups, and collaborative partnerships with local organizations and experts. Many programs are offered in English and Spanish.
PEN’s vision is for all parents to feel supported and empowered throughout their parenting journey. The organization takes a holistic approach to family support by combining parent education, leadership development, and human connection. PEN serves parents and caregivers of children from birth through adulthood. Over the past 25 years, PEN has supported thousands of parents and caregivers, helping families build resilience, confidence, and connection.
“Joining PEN during its 25th year feels especially meaningful,” said Piazza. “I’m really excited to be part of what comes next as PEN continues to grow and expand to meet the evolving needs of parents and families.”
Learn more at www.parentengagementnetwork.org.
About Parent Engagement Network, Inc.:
Parent Engagement Network (PEN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting parents and caregivers with practical tools, expert resources, and a supportive community so families can thrive. Serving families across Boulder, Broomfield, and Weld Counties, PEN offers strength-based programs, workshops, events, conferences, community gatherings, and resources in English and Spanish to support parents throughout every stage of the parenting journey.
Media Contact: PEN Marketing
Parent Engagement Network
555 Burbank St., Unit M
Broomfield, CO 80020
www.parentengagementnetwork.org
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