Staff Bios

Our backgrounds are as varied as our product line!

Owners

Claire Cavanah

Favorite sex toy: Jupiter Dildo (now Pure Wand)
Read Claire's bio.

Rachel Venning

Favorite sex toy: Hitachi Magic Wand
Read Rachel's bio.

Staff Bios

Abby W.

Web Editor, Oakland
Favorite sex toy: Hitachi Magic Wand, always and forever

I lived in Brooklyn for ten years before making the leap to the left coast, where I live in a house (!) with mauve carpeting and Sadie the wondercat. My loves include, but are not limited to: pork, farmer's markets, gravy, good books, banjos, thunderstorms, purring cats, swimming in lakes (not oceans or pools), and second chances. Oh, and I've been working with Babeland since 2002.

Anne Semans

Director of Marketing, Oakland
Favorite sex toy: Laya Spot

My life’s passion has been talking and writing about sex. I’ve written several sexual self-help books, including The Many Joys of Sex Toys, Sexy Mamas, and The Good Vibrations Guide to Sex. On a personal note, I believe Prince’s music is the lyrical equivalent of sex. Plus, I’m the proud single mom of two fantastic daughters, and we are lucky to live up on the beautiful north coast of California.

Apaulo Hart

Customer Fulfillment Crew, Oakland
Favorite sex toy: Spareparts Joque Harness

I, the small nerdy Apaulo, started at the Babeland Warehouse October 2006. I box up your wildest fantasies and send you orgasms in the mail. I'm 28 going on 14 years old. I am a country-boy-Peter-Pan-faun-playful-creature and a warrior of love. I want to spread the love of safe and functional sex to all. I long to aid in awareness of transgender love, life, and sexuality. I hope to be an example of "being the change I want to see in the world" and gender fluidity and show the beautiful spectrum of sex, gender, and polyamory. My alter-ego, Puck Goodfellow, has performed in queer porn, such as Seven Minutes in Heaven.

Ashley

Sex Educator/Receiver, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: Babeland Silver Bullet

My name is Ashley and I have been working at Babeland since May 2007. I am originally from Mississippi and absolutely love living in Seattle and working at Babeland. My interests are: sushi, seeing live music, comic books, and daytrips outside of the city.

Audrey McManus

Marketing/Education Coordinator, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: Jaguar + Leo Dildo Combo

I love my job! I get to help people have better sex lives every single day — pretty nice, huh? I have been a sexuality educator since 2001 and certified by the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts as such since 2002. I am a former burlesque performer from Boston and currently the producer of a burlesque troupe here in Seattle called Sinner Saint Burlesque Revue as well as an organizer of the Capitol Hill Arts Walk. I pretty much spend my time playing with my dogs, going out to eat, baking cookies, and talking about all things sexual. My favorite topics to teach about are the G-spot and Anal Sex.

Carolanne Marcantonio

Sex Educator/Sales Associate, SoHo
Favorite sex toy: Mystic Wand

Babeland is one of those magical surprises you find when you're a teenager that you never forget about. I even got my first toy here at the legal age of 18. Formerly from Philadelphia, I moved to NYC to study Theater and Music at The New School, and was ecstatic to earn a job with the wonderful Babeland team. Being a sexual educator and teaching the anatomy of pleasure allows me to make sex fun, interesting and educational! This is truly an amazing place to be.

Chloe

Sex Educator/Sales Associate, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: I Heart Female Orgasm (book)

Chloe has been working at Babeland since 2008 as an SE/SA while finishing her degree in creative writing. She's an avid reader, writer, and musician. Among her other secret ninja skills, she has a remarkable aptitude for tidying books, watching clouds, and brushing her teeth.

Darlinda Just Darlinda

Premier Services Coordinator, NYC
Favorite Sex Toy: Pure Wand

I've been at Babeland since September 2004. I organize all the Private Workshops and Babeland Toy Parties, as well as coordinate all the NYC donations. I love working at Babeland because we spread the message of sex-positivity and create a fun and safe environment for folks to learn about sex while shopping for sex toys! I am a performance artist/burlesque performer, and in 2007-2008 I worked on a "life as art" project called a Year in Rainbow, where I wore one color every day for a month then wore rainbow in the alternating months; I blogged daily at www.yearinrainbow.com. You can find out more about my burlesque performances at www.darlindajustdarlinda.com.

Greta Carey

Web Marketing Manager, Oakland
Favorite sex toy: Nexus Double Dildo

I’m a native New Yorker who's transplanted to the Bay Area via Music City, USA. I've spent this wonderful life exploring, celebrating and writing about the sexual panorama. I am thrilled to be a part of the Babeland family doing work I love for a company I care about. Though I spend way too much time in front of a computer, I also enjoy the 3 B's — burlesque, boxing and baking. I am semi-retired from performing, but can be coaxed back by a rhinestone-encrusted costume and good wig. I enjoy being in the ring as much as I enjoy watching boxing, and am at my finest when whipping up a batch of baked goods.

Jen May

VP of Sales and Marketing, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: Wahl 7-in-1

I'm a former resident of: a one-horse town, the biggest city, the city of brotherly love, and am now rooted in Seattle with my Great Dane. I have had the pleasure of working with Babeland for over 7 years and have spent at least 3 days in every Babeland location. In my spare time I am learning how to run, how to cook, and how to relax.

Jennifer

Sex Educator/Sales Associate, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: Pure Wand

I am a classical realist painter-in-training, an art history nerd, a lascivious diner, and a passionate lov-ah. Currently a student, I spend long, long hours in dark, dark rooms with gorgeous nude models, single-source lighting, very sharp sticks of fancy French charcoal, and 9-step grisaille palettes; when not neck-deep in charcoals and paints, I'm busy sex educatin', thinking about what food I'd like to eat next, or talking about things not suitable for "polite conversation."

Kai Kohlsdorf

Sex Educator/Sales Associate, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: Crocodile Clamps

Kai loves talking about sex, and has made it his life goal to talk about sex as much as humanly possible. He feels very lucky that he gets to do this at Babeland. Kai is a community organizer and activist, former drag performer, and teacher. Personally, beyond the constant sex talk, he is a fan of all things fuzzy, orange, and tacky, loves to run, and is nearly constantly giggling.

Kathi

Store Manager, SoHo
Favorite sex toy: Jimmyjane Little Chroma

Working at Babeland has been like a dream come true! As a New York City native, I've had the privilege of being exposed to Babeland's sex-positive magic for what feels like forever. I’m proud to say that I'm going into my third year here, and hope for many more. When I'm not steering the ship at the SoHo location, I can be seen skidding, skitching and riding all around town on my bike or skateboard, and playing in any number of grrrl punk bands. Skate or die.

Kelly Arbor

Sex Educator, New York
Favorite Sex Toy: Babe dils

What else is a fashion-core, gender-queer kid gonna do? Working at Babeland continues to be an amazing ride. Our customers are incredible. I feel lucky every day. I DJ theme parties, organize community theory spaces, craft my fashion line, and basically try to be as gay as humanly possible.

Krista

Sex Educator/Sales Associate, Oakland
Favorite sex toy: Candy Colored Glass Dildo

I am a curious mama and I plan to be a lifelong learner. I love working for Babeland and I love the people I work with. I am motivated by diversity, education, and fun. My goal is to help people be comfortable with themselves and their bodies, to truly enjoy their lives and their partners, and to learn as much as possible about what makes them happy. I believe in the mantra, "Be Here Now," and I am probably 'Here Now' to answer your questions, so don't be shy! Please play responsibly and use condoms.

Kristie Metcalf

Sex Educator/Sales Associate, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: Jimmyjane Form 2

Kristie doesn't want to quit her day job. In 2007, she did quit a corporate job and got hired part-time at Babeland while pursuing her goal of starting a clothing line. On her off-time, she's taking fashion design classes, making clothes, or spending time with her partner and their adorable pets (two cats and a standard Schnauzer). She loves working the sales floor of Babeland, giving first-time strap-on tutorials, dressing up the store windows, and talking up her personal faves: the Jimmyjane Form 2, the Gigi, and the Jaguar Harness.

Lara Maldjian

Sex Educator/Sales Associate, SoHo
Favorite sex toy: Gigi

Hi, I’m Lara! I’m a g-g-gayyy feminist goofball living in post-academic bliss. I HAVE THE BEST JOB EVER, BELIEVE IT. I kind of want to come to work covered in sequins every day, just to be as fabulous as the store. Sometimes when I'm putting out new inventory I imagine I'm the sex-toy-fairy and start sprinkling all the dildos with glitter. I'm not even kidding, you guys. Babeland rules. What other job provides the opportunity to talk to so many different folks about PLEASURE? And I get to say the word "clitoris" like 1,000 times a day — try and stop me! CLITORIS!

Lauren Gulbrandsen

Sex Educator/Receiver, SoHo
Favorite sex toy: Hitachi Magic Wand

Slingin' dildos since April 2008! I love being here because I get to work with some of the best people around. It's thrilling to be able to talk about sex all day! When I'm not helping people on the floor or transitioning cardboard boxes into the toys you get to bring home, I'm riding my scooter all around Brooklyn, going to shows, playing music, or volunteering at the Lesbian Herstory Archives. I'm a radical feminist dyke who's really into the woo and spends part of the summer working at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. Yay!

Leah Perrotti

Marketing Coordinator, NYC
Favorite sex toy: Hitachi Magic Wand

Working at Babeland is like being a kid in a candy shop — and boy do I love sweet things. I moved to NYC with nothing but a basic slimline vibrator and two years later I have gathered an impressive collection of toys! When I am not busy helping people pick out great products I can be found drinking coffee and waitinnggg for the G train.

Lilly Walleck

Sex Educator/Sales Associate, Lower East Side
Favorite sex toy: Club Vibe

A Midwestern trannyboi/jock dyke, I relocated to NYC in February of 2009 and joined the Babeland family shortly after. I do party promotions for several queer dance parties around Manhattan and Brooklyn, spend most of my free time with my puppy, and think G-/P-spot stimulation changes the world. I like glitter and radical politics most of all.

Monster Bruyn

Sex Educator/Affiliates Producer, Oakland
Favorite sex toy: Share Double Dildo

I rescue animals, love silent/horror films, study coronary science and work part time as a Barber. I am a California native, growing up in Southern CA. I have just recently moved to the Bay Area and couldn't be happier to call this place my home. I try to remember this quote every day: "I have a lot to teach and even more to learn..." I am passionate about helping and teaching others about one of my favorite things, sex. Sex constantly reinvents itself, so there is always something to learn and something to teach.

nic

Manager In Training, SoHo
Favorite sex toy: Candy Colored Glass Dildo

Hi, I'm nic, and I'm a proud lesbian feminist. I left the warmth of my women's college and the west coast for NYC in '06. I still don't get the appeal of seasons. I do, however, understand the immense appeal of the land of sex-positivity that is Babeland, and what must be the best job in existence. Working in a space where the most taboo of subjects is commonplace is empowering and certainly a lot of fun. I am so proud to be a part of this incredible team and hope that everyone who has the chance to visit a Babeland store is sure to do it.

Phoebe Grott

Junior Buyer, Oakland
Favorite sex toy: Spareparts Joque Harness

When I’m not at Babeland, where I’ve been working since 2007, I’m busy eating tasty granola with yogurt, listening to Adam Lambert’s album, playing with my pet turtle, and helping my friends/acquaintances move with my pickup truck. I love sunsets, long walks on the beach, key lime pie, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Shannon Solie

Store Manager, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: Pure Plug

I've been with the company since February of 2007. When I am not slinging dildos and peddling smut, I am rounding out my persona as a single mother and music enthusiast. There are so many toys that I love...where to begin? I truly believe that there is a toy for every body and every occasion.

Status Causey

Manager In Training, Seattle
Favorite sex toy: Hitachi Magic Wand

Status has been with the company since 2006. He loves working at Babeland because of the staff, the customers, and the constant access to Hitachi Magic Wands, Vixskin dildos, and NJoy butt plugs. Status also loves doing outreach and teaching workshops, especially at colleges. When not at the store, Status moonlights as DJ StatusApparatus. His likes include R&B, tap dancers, and Aries who act like Scorpios.

Steph

Manager In Training, Lower East Side
Favorite sex toy: Waterdancer

At seventeen I developed a crush...on Babeland. I spent my college years working at a sex-positive gynecological clinic buffing up my sexual health know-how. Come graduation, I joined the Babeland family. Nearly two years and many dildos later, my crush on the ultimate informative and inclusive environment is strong as ever. In my free time I like to paint, write, and water my spider plants.

Tanya S.

Store Manager, Lower East Side
Favorite sex toy: Nea Vibe

Back in high school, one of our class debates got so heated that I just blurted out "What's wrong with sex?!" From then on, I was the "what's wrong with sex?" girl. Obviously, Babeland is a dream place for me to work so I can continue to spread the word that sex is a positive experience and that no one should be punished for have a healthy enjoyable sex life. When you come for a visit over at our Lower East Side shop, I hope to be able to hook you up with all the toys needed to make your fantasies come true, because after all...what's wrong with sex?

Terry

Sex Educator/Receiver, Brooklyn
Favorite sex toy: Spareparts Joque Harness

I used to wear pig costumes and hand out leaflets about factory farms, but these days I'm more likely to be seen sporting a huge vulva costume and talking about G-spots — just one reason why working at Babeland is so amazing! And don’t let my cat tattoo (cattoo) fool you, I don't just sit at home knitting cat hair sweaters. In my spare time I like riding my bike, going to punk shows, staring longingly at pit bulls, and covering pretty much everything in veganaise.