SOMA Living December 2023

MEET THE SPRINGER FAMILY

Photography by Jamie Meier

Meet the Springers, an active and close family who found a home in the picturesque town of Maplewood 18 years ago. Leslie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) from Ithaca, NY, and Mario, a first- generation Panamanian attorney from Wheaton, Illinois, first met in New York City in 2002 on a blind date. Today, they build their lives filled with love and shared values, raising their three remarkable daughters: Nadia, Sadie, and Leila. Leslie works as a therapist, in private practice, providing compassionate care to her clients. Reflecting on her professional journey, she shares, “Helping others has always been so important to me. Making a positive impact on people’s lives is incredibly fulfilling.” Mario serves as SVP, General Counsel & Corp. Secretary at a tech start-up called Justworks, Inc., where he manages the legal team while overseeing the cybersecurity and people teams. He takes pride in being part of a company that promotes inclusion and supports small businesses. After getting married in 2005, Mario and Leslie decided to move to Maplewood. Having no ties to NJ, they were attracted by the town’s proximity to NYC, public school system, reputation for diversity, progressiveness, and close-knit community. They welcomed their twin daughters, Nadia and Sadie, six months after moving from the city. When the twins were 20 months old, the family tragically lost their daughter Talia to stillbirth. Despite the tragic loss, the family continued to grow and welcomed their youngest daughter, Leila, in 2010.

DECEMBER 2023 | SOMA LIVING 7

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