Parenting Advice, Parenting Resources: Who We Are


	Talk About Parenting with Shirlee Smith, Inc. launched with the popular television show in 1993, broadcasting from the City of Pasadena Television Studios. Currently the organization produces: • LIVE on-line U-stream channel shows • Parent Training Workshops • Parenting Column in LA Times, Pasadena Sun Talk About Parenting with Shirlee Smith, Inc. is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. The organization was originally funded by the City of Pasadena. A partial list of other funders included The Wilt Chamberlain Foundation, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Michael D. Antonovich, Philanthropist, Adelaide Hixon, and numerous individual donors.

	Shirlee Smith, President, CEO About Shirlee Smith > Philip Argento Phil Argento joined the Talk About Parenting Board of Directors in 2014. Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 1982, he served as a trial judge on the Pasadena Municipal Court before it merged with the Los Angeles Superior Court, from which he retired in 2005. In 1990, he was elected Chair of the Presiding Judges Association representing the county’s then 24 municipal courts. He was honored as judge of the year in 1997 by the Pasadena Bar Association. Since retiring, he has been appointed by the Chief Justice to hear cases in Los Angeles, Inyo, Riverside and other counties. He has taught law at Pasadena City College, Pomona College, and three local law schools. He was designated as a distinguished alumnus in 1999 by Pasadena City College. He is a graduate of Pomona College. He is married to Jane O’Brien Argento, and they have four adult children and four grandchildren. Prentice Deadrick Bio pending. Ivan Light, Ph.D., Director Emeritus Ivan Light specializes in urban sociology with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and immigration. He is the author of numerous textbooks. He is a member of the American Association and the International Sociological Association. He frequently lectures abroad, and is a retired professor from UCLA. Married and the father of two college students, Light says, "Parents must read to their children at least a half an hour everyday!" Emma P. Oshagan Emma P. Oshagan is a clinical psychologist with an extensive background in the psychiatric and mental health areas, most recently with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, where she serves on many committees. She is currently Director of Armenian Program Development at Pacific Clinics in Pasadena. She was a college psychology professor and a professor of journalism and communication before arriving in Los Angeles County. She received her M.A. in Psychology/Child Development from American University of Beirut and her Ph.D. in Communication in Wisconsin. She earned both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. She is involved with numerous mental health education programs and projects involving Armenian and non-Armenian groups and is founder and president of Armenian American Mental Health Association. Emma serves as Board Recording Secretary.				Peggy Sisson Peggy Sisson, a lifetime Pasadena resident, was the City of Pasadena’s Child Care Coordinator (recently retired). She has also been involved professionally with several organizations involving children, including the L.A. County Child Care Planning Committee, the Head Start Policy Council, and local and national Associations for the Education of Young Children. She has been a volunteer for numerous local organizations including the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association where she is now an Honorary Lifetime Member, the Pasadena Commission on the Status of Women, and Child Care Information Service, among others. She received her BS in Social Science at Cal Poly University – Pomona and her MA in Human Development at Pacific Coast College. She lives with her husband in Pasadena and is the mother of two adult sons. Paul L. Smith Paul L. Smith is a highly experienced and skilled network developer and architect, and has provided programming support for numerous web applications. He has several certifications including Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA), and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), among others. He received his BS in Computer Science/Computer Information Systems from Valdosta State University. He lives in Atlanta, GA, with his wife and two young children. Andy Takakjian Andy Takakjian is a Los Angeles based artist who has worked in various aspects of the entertainment business off & on over the past 30 years. He was an associate producer on Talk About Parenting With Shirlee Smith,LIVE and also held a position as CG operator, worked on additional aspects of the show creating graphics and additional promotional materials for the organization. Andy is a writer of numerous automotive articles and a motorcycle enthusiast.