Maureen Kochan is a mom and journalist responsible for reaching out to the community at large regarding online safety topics. "This is a critical time in the struggle between fear- and fact-based online-safety education," Maureen says. "The ConnectSafely mission is to encourage rational, balanced discussion – and provide a forum for it – resonated with me as a citizen and parent. My son's just a toddler but I'm always aware that he'll inherit a world shaped by many of the attitudes and policies being formed right now."

Maureen also helps maintain ConnectSafely's Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube spaces, and represents the organization at events and conferences.

As a journalist, Maureen has written extensively on the subjects of relationships, teens, teen culture and animal welfare. She helped launch DogChannel.com, and served as Editor of Dog Fancy, the country's most widely read magazine about dogs and dog ownership. Her work has appeared in Teen, Teen Style, YM and RevolutionHealth.com.