Education + Credentials

Highlights

Worked with hundreds of people, individually and in small groups, online and in person, ranging in age from 18 to 80+.

Described by members of writing, coaching, Jewish, and social justice communities as bringing generosity, clarity, authenticity, grace, empathy, insight, intuition, honesty, and fierce acceptance to my clients and groups
Author of Fierce Encouragement: 201 Writing Prompts for Staying Grounded in Fragile Times (2025) and three poetry collections: Don’t Miss This (2012), The Inside of Out (2013) and Why I Was Late for Our Meeting (2016)
Poet Laureate at the Jewish Community of Amherst
Certified Facilitator of the Jewish Studio Process
Jewish educator in partnership with IYUN
Sketching, photography, and collage (just for fun)
Widely published: personal essays, poems, op-eds & anthology contributor
Proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and advocate for trans youth
Proud lover of Am Yisrael
Started blogging in 2007 and never stopped!
Professional experience as a Hillel director, academic advisor, college writing instructor, and career counselor
Founder and Owner of Strong Coaching (2003-2010)
Advanced training with the Coaches Training Institute (2001-2003)
M.F.A. with Honors in Creative Writing from Emerson College (2000)
B.A. in Russian Studies from Barnard College, Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa (1995)

Serendipitous connections, unexpected collaborations, and simple greetings — three of my favorite things.