Nannies & SittersMade Simple
Meet The Team
Kara Varnell
Owner
Kara is a mom of two rambunctious and sweet children Luke (8) and Eliza (who is 5 going on 13)! She has worked in almost every role with children in her career including babysitter, summer nanny, live-in nanny, live-out nanny, date nights, overnights, and working with special needs. She has a Master’s degree in Human Services with a focus on Marriage and Family, and thoroughly enjoys building relationships with both her clients and nannies. Kara is married to her high school sweetheart Caleb, co-owner of Select Sitters, who is a Real Estate Attorney in Raleigh. In the very limited free time she has, Kara enjoys reading, baking, the beach, family game and movie night, and being outside.
Jessica Whitley
Operations Manager
Jessica has been working with Select Sitters since March of 2018. She's originally from Indiana but moved to North Carolina to be with her husband. She has her A.A.S. in Veterinary Technology and her B.A. in Communications. Her past positions in childcare include working as a babysitter, a swim instructor, and a substitute teacher. She loves connecting with the families we serve, and always looks forward to meeting and interviewing potential babysitters and nannies! Jessica enjoys working out, reading, cooking, playing with her dogs, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
Meredith Cross
Placement Coordinator
Meredith began working as an Administrative Support Specialist for Select Sitters in 2022. Prior to joining the SS team, Meredith taught in the K-5 setting for 13 years before stepping away when her daughter, Charlotte, was born. Meredith's experience in the classroom gave her the ability to think quickly and to always be ready for whatever the day may bring. She is most looking forward to working with families and babysitters to find the best fit based on their needs!
Ashley Giampietro
Recruiter
Ashley has been a Recruiter for Select Sitters since 2019. Since graduating from the University of Central Florida in 2010, she has worked in a variety of industries, including elementary and middle school teaching, training, child and animal welfare, and recruiting! She has a passion for the nanny and babysitting industry, as she is a former babysitter and nanny herself. Ashley loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and also enjoys the great outdoors! Ashley is a mom to two little ones, Anthony and Olivia, and uses this perspective to guide her as she screens and recruits potential candidates for our clients.
Megan Tillett
Recruiter
Megan is a Recruiter at Select Sitters and has been part of our team for close to a year now. She attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in School Administration. Having spent a decade in correlating positions, Megan was most energized by the teacher-recruitment process, as well as partnering with families and children to tailor an educational experience that they were confident about and excitedly engaged in. She is thrilled to transfer those areas of professional interest into her Recruiting role at Select Sitters, while also collaborating with a wonderful team of colleagues. Personally, Megan lives in the Triad region with her husband, Jeremy, and son, Shepherd. Megan and her family enjoy regular outdoor adventures, reading, going on walks with their dog, Jake, and indulging in frequent visits to both Blowing Rock and Wilmington.