Gratitude for Anya Endsley

Anya Endsley and Kristina Powell

I remember the first time I met Anya, over Zoom, in a series of interviews for the Executive Director position here at The Telling Room. Anya was warm and thoughtful, clear and direct. Learning more about her through the process only made me more eager to be at this organization. By the time we were sitting outside for lunch together for the final interview, I was eager to get to work. Excited that as a new Executive Director and member of The Telling Room community I would have the opportunity to be able to learn from and partner with her. 

During Anya’s time as President she has led the organization through changes, transitions, and visioning of our future. In the last year she steered us through an intensive strategic planning process, while our programs rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, and we returned to the State Theatre for one last Show & Tell event. 

“It has been a joy and privilege working with Anya these last three years at the Telling Room” says incoming President Tanuja Desai Hidier. “I met her first via Zoom in 2020 when she and Tim Schneider interviewed me for the Board; as Vice President, she was a terrific welcomer into the fold, and shone more still in her role as President soon after. Anya has been a brilliant leader and kindred spirit these past years. Her keen eye for detail, attentive ear to The Telling Room community, kindness and empathy, smarts and steadfastness helped shepherd us through the stress and flux of the pandemic, as well as our Executive Director search (resulting in securing the treasure that is Kristina Powell), and the intensive heartfelt work that went into creating our new Strategic Plan. I have never seen Anya without a warm smile on her face, and words that are akin to an embrace—of the humans of The Telling Room, as well as its mission, aspirations, and values. We will miss her and are grateful for our time together here.”

“The Telling Room has been so fortunate to have Anya Endsley on our board and as a collaborator,” shares Communications & Editorial Director Rylan Hynes. “She has successfully steered The Telling Room through the tumultuous years of the pandemic and navigated new waters as we searched for our new Executive Director, always with a steady hand on the tiller. Throughout it all, she has made herself available to all members of the team for a conversation or a coffee, leading with transparency and care. I've learned so much from having the chance to work alongside her, and am so grateful that she chose to share her passion for the written word with us here at The Telling Room.”

Personally, I am grateful for Anya’s patience, steadfast commitment and perspective-taking in her service and tenure as President. On behalf of The Telling Room’s staff, students, and board, we would like to share our deep gratitude towards Anya for everything. 

With Gratitude,

Kristina Powell
Executive Director
she/her/hers
kristina@tellingroom.org