Meet Our New Executive Director, Kristina M.J. Powell
Dear Telling Room Community,
As the brilliant colors emerge in the leaves and the crispness is felt in the air, I write to you both honored and thrilled to be joining The Telling Room community. This letter is just the start of our conversations and partnership as I share my story with you. I so look forward to learning yours.
As the next leader of The Telling Room, I look forward to bringing my journey of identity formation and passion for the literary arts to the role of the Executive Director. I am a transracial adoptee, an American of Korean descent, a single mother raising a biracial son. Identity is complex, and there is intersectionality within all of us. The last two years brought deep personal reflection as I continue to cultivate and strengthen my voice as an Asian female leader. Finding our voices and sharing our stories, asking questions, and listening to each other is how we can work collectively to create a cultural shift - celebrating the diversity of experiences and perspectives that strengthens our communities. We are all lifelong learners, and each of us can be an ally for someone else.
Maine has always been part of my life, and I am so excited to return to this beautiful state. Growing up, I frequently traveled from New York to visit family in Maine. When it came time for college, I attended Bowdoin, holding jobs and spending summers in Brunswick. Maine became home. From the coast to the mountains, old mill towns, and islands, I am on an ongoing journey to learn about the history and the cultures across our state’s vast 35,000+ miles. I have dedicated my career to working in Maine-based nonprofits, focusing on education; building and supporting programs that create community, preparing youth to be curious and courageous leaders.
For 17 years, The Telling Room has developed best practices and become a leader in teaching youth the art and skill of writing while delivering on its promise to uplift their stories and share them with an ever-growing audience. The confidence and leadership of The Telling Room’s students and alumni strengthen the communities where they live and learn. I am excited to build on The Telling Room’s broad foundation of programs and steadfast community support, to deepen and grow the network of community partners as we continue to empower youth while removing barriers to access.
Thank you to the Board of Directors, Celine, and the entire Telling Room staff for their leadership and guidance; meeting the challenges of the last year by reimagining how to connect students, opening opportunities throughout the State and growing our community by gathering in ways not limited by geographic proximity. The past year and half have created new and exciting opportunities for us to envision students across the state coming together, and innovative spaces for alumni and literary leaders to share. These days a student from Presque Isle, a student from Kittery, and an alum on the West Coast can all learn from one another, virtually gathered in community and guided by our talented teachers.
I am eager to work with the growing alumni community to develop their connection to current Telling Room students, providing structure and opportunities for formal and natural mentorship to occur, and bringing alumni together to celebrate their growth and success. I look forward to deepening relationships with current partners and creating new connections as we grow the network of support for youth stories throughout the state of Maine. We know that change does not happen alone. Our relationships strengthen us and working together is how we can actualize a systemic change.
I hope you will connect with us (if you haven't already) and become involved in our work! Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on social media, contact us directly. Ask questions, read, listen, and share our students' stories.
In the coming months I will have the great pleasure of meeting with The Telling Room community, being in programs with the students and staff, listening and learning, and asking “What if…?” as we collectively imagine the next chapter of The Telling Room’s story. I hope you’ll join me.
See you at The Telling Room soon,
Kristina M.J. Powell
she/her/hers
kristina@tellingroom.org
Executive Director Kristina M.J. Powell joins The Telling Room having dedicated her career to community building, Maine-based nonprofits. She graduated from Bowdoin College with her BA in Anthropology, which included a semester abroad with the School for International Training in the Tibetan Studies program. For seven years she worked in admissions & enrollment at the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), building relationships with colleges and universities both domestic and abroad, later co-managing the study abroad advising department. At Bates College, she served as Associate Director developing and implementing new programs for underrepresented alumni, students, and their families. Kristina later managed the development team at The Center for Grieving Children, based in Portland, ME. In June 2021 she received her MBA while serving as the Director of The Berwick Fund at Berwick Academy, a PreK-Grade 12 independent school located in South Berwick, ME.