Wings Not Strings

Dennis Trittin is Founder and President of LifeSmart Publishing, whose mission is to inspire and equip young people to flourish in adulthood. He is the author of What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead, co-author of Parenting for the Launch: Raising Teens to Succeed in the Real World, and co-author of Wings Not Strings: Parenting Strategies to Let Go with Confidence. Through his books, curriculum, speaking engagements, and blog, Dennis serves young people and the adults and organizations guiding them on a global basis. Prior to founding LifeSmart, Dennis was a senior executive for Russell Investments for 28 years where he researched and evaluated leaders worldwide, served as Director of Research, and managed $35 billion of assets as lead portfolio manager. He has also served as Board Chair for a private school, advised several non-profits, and is an active mentor to young people.

Dennis received his B.B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his M.B.A. from the University of Washington where he was Valedictorian. He is also a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). Dennis and his wife Jeanne reside in Gig Harbor, Washington and have two grown children.

Arlyn Lawrence is co-author, Curriculum Director, and seminar leader for LifeSmart Publishing. She served as editor and project manager for What I Wish I Knew at 18: Life Lessons for the Road Ahead, author of the What I Wish I Knew at 18 Leadership and Life Skills curriculum, co-author of Parenting for the Launch: Raising Teens to Succeed in the Real World, and co-author of Wings Not Strings: Parenting Strategies to Let Go with Confidence. Her background in publishing includes freelance writing, editing, and project manager, as well as serving as Founder and President of Inspira Literary Solutions, a comprehensive book development company. She is also an international seminar leader and youth director emphasizing children and family leadership.

Arlyn is a graduate of the University of Maryland. She and her husband Doug have five children and six grandchildren and reside in Fox Island, WA.