Our Leadership Team
Founder & Executive Director
Elizabeth Perlman (she/her)
Elizabeth created this organization because it was what she wanted and needed when she was a teen: a safe place to write, speak and be heard. Even after ten years of leading workshops and developing curricula, Elizabeth continues to be inspired (and often moved to tears) by the wisdom, depth and raw, world-changing courage of young writers.
Elizabeth has a BA in Media Arts & Film and a Masters in Transformative Arts, the study of creative expression as a tool for personal growth. She is also a certified Group Leader in The Amherst Writing Method and a member of the Board of Directors of Amherst Writers & Artists. Before launching TIWP in 2013, Elizabeth worked for over ten years as a graphic designer and art director in the advertising industry.
Elizabeth lives in her favorite city, Oakland, California, where she loves to run in the redwoods, roller skate everywhere and write late at night, ideally (like all the OG women writers of the last five centuries) by candlelight.
You can read her blog here and you can reach her at elizabeth@intuitivewritingproject.org.
Director of Programs & Lead Instructor
Melissa Quiter (she/her)
Melissa has been part of the TIWP since 2016, and is currently serving TIWP as the Director of Programs in addition to being our Senior Teacher and Editor of The Intuitive Voice. She taught high school Journalism and World History at Miramonte for 10 years, bringing their student newspaper to national prestige.
She holds a BA in Journalism from Boston University and a secondary teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Earlier in her career, she worked as a journalist at the Sunday Times in London, an international trip leader for high school students, and a rock climbing instructor.
Melissa is a proud Oakland resident, where she lives with her husband and 3 kids. She is an avid snowboarder and an accidental ski mom, and you will find her shredding in Kirkwood all winter long.
You can reach her at melissa@intuitivewritingproject.org.
Senior Teacher
Gretchen Cion (she/her)
Gretchen is a writer and an educator who has been bringing the magic of creative writing to students for over twenty years. She has taught as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist and writer in residence, working with both children and adults. She is grateful for the way in which her students inspire and inform her own writing.
She holds a B.A. from Washington University and an M.A. in Education from Hunter College in NYC. While in NY, she was involved with Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Thanks to her profession as an educator, she has written countless stories to help teach the craft of writing. Gretchen is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Nonfiction at San Francisco State University.
When she is not writing, she can be found compiling the perfect mixes for her rise-and-shine dance parties or practicing her Italian as she stretches toward becoming a polyglot. Gretchen lives in Berkeley with her artist husband and their two wildly cool boys.
You can reach her at gretchen@intuitivewritingproject.org.
Elana Joy (she/her)
Teacher
Elana's favorite way to capture a moment is by telling its story, and she is passionate about supporting others in this practice. She has worked as a writing coach for both high school and college students. While completing her BA in English at Arizona State University, she also interned as a creative writing instructor (remotely) with incarcerated students in solitary confinement. Elana hopes to continue working with students in both academic and correctional environments, to support all her fellow storytellers. She loves to hike with her dog and take her on excursions across the US in their van.
Crystal Williams (she/her)
Bookkeeper Extraordinaire
Crystal is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor with over 20 years of experience in the small business bookkeeping and accounting industry. She is the founder and owner of CW Bookkeeping, a full-service firm that provides a wide range of services to businesses within multiple industries. Before starting her own company, she worked as a senior accountant and controller. She is passionate about helping businesses succeed and feels a special affinity for The Intuitive Writing Project, as she herself is also a writer, currently working on her first documentary film. In her spare time, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and playing golf.
Our Youth Advisory Team
Reagan Kaelle (she/her)
Youth Advisor to the Board
Senior at Miramonte High School
TIWP Writer: 6th - 12th grade
Writing matters because it immortalizes extraordinary thoughts. For me, The Intuitive Writing Project is where I forged my voice and discovered the power of self–assurance.
Caroline Hesby (she/her)
Youth Advisor
University of Washington, majoring in English and creative-writing with a minor in business
TIWP Writer: 10th - 12th grade
Writing matters because it is both the medium by which important voices can be heard by the world, as well as a restorative practice. For me, The Intuitive Writing Project is the place where young women can create, lead, and inspire—while growing into their most confident, unapologetic and truest self.
Julia Lima (she/her)
Youth Advisor
Pre-law student at the University of Southern California, majoring in law, history, and culture, with a minor in social justice
TIWP Writer: 9th - 12th grade
Writing matters because it’s the single-best thing a young person can do to learn and understand themselves throughout their developing years. For me, The Intuitive Writing Project opens space for healing, learning, vulnerability, self-love, creativity, and magic.
Maxine Pollock (she/her)
Youth Advisor
Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Reims &
UC Berkeley, majoring in politics and government with a minor in legal studies
TIWP Writer: 6th - 12th grade
Writing matters because it allows us to express our innate wisdom and creativity and provides a platform to share the stories the world needs to hear! For me, the Intuitive Writing Project is a magical initiative where young people are celebrated for who they are, supported in and out of class, and ultimately learn to find their voice.
Sarah Inouye (she/her)
Youth Advisor
University of Iowa, majoring in English and creative writing on the publishing track
TIWP Writer: 6th - 12th grade
Writing is important because it is a fundamental point of connection between us and our communities. It allows us to better contribute our ideas, move in the pursuit of beauty, and to nourish ourselves and each other. For me, The Intuitive Writing Project is a healing, affirming space where one learns to grow into who they are and what they want, so that their writing can come from a place of resilience, strength, and thoughtfulness.
Our Board of Directors
Board Chair
Praveen Singh (she/her)
Chief Marketing Officer
at TYT Network
Writing matters because it fuels creativity and imagination. For me, The Intuitive Writing Project is a program that creates a safe and joyful space for girls to build confidence through encouragement and positive feedback.
Secretary of the Board
Janet Moga (she/her)
Director of Digital Health
at Sage Therapeutics
Writing matters because it is a powerful form of communication that allows you to express yourself in your own unique way. For me, The Intuitive Writing Project is a place for girls to find their voice through writing and to build self-confidence in a safe, trusted environment surrounded by positivity and support.
Treasurer of the Board
Jodi Kaelle (she/her)
Co Founder & Managing Partner
at MontaRosa
Writing matters because when you thoughtfully curate your words, there is no other art form that feels more concrete to share an inspiration, idea, plan or strategy. For me, The Intuitive Writing Project is a courage builder, a creativity feeder and a self-therapy all wrapped into one complete package that makes you feel more open to the world around you.
Business Sponsors
Garden Lights Landscape Development
https://gardenlightslandscape.com/
Genuine Goodness
Laraarchitecture
http://www.laraarchitecture.com/
