Becoming President of WFWA
Ahead of my term as President of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, i was asked to share more about me, my why, and what I envision for the future. Here is the full version. In all transparency, I did not join the organization in late 2022 to become it’s President in 2026. But I got involved in 2023… then more involved in 2024… and here we are. The answers below were submitted pre-election.
Tell us something about your background and how it has prepared you for this position.
Like many WFWA members, I’m not a full-time writer—at least not yet. My professional background is in the nonprofit world, where I’ve built experience in network management, external audience engagement, event planning, and project management for a world-renowned research think tank. Before that, I spent nearly a decade working in sales and retail for my family’s small business before stepping away to make more space for writing.
These experiences outside of writing have shaped how I approach leadership. They’ve prepared me for the responsibilities of serving as President and for delivering a well-rounded, meaningful membership experience. By combining my professional skillset with my passion for fiction, I’m able to step back, see the bigger organizational picture, and move forward with ideas that genuinely add value.
A few examples from this past year include planning and executing the first Women’s Fiction Virtual Summit in June, launching the WFWA Quarterly Workshop Newsletter, building a soon-to-launch Programs volunteer space with standardized onboarding, and creating a Programs Committee that will help shape what we offer in 2026.
While I’m proud to have seeded these ideas, every one of them is a team effort. I love collaborating, brainstorming, and workshopping ideas with volunteers and fellow members. I’m a team-first person; I believe both the work and the credit should be shared, and that more minds coming together (within reason!) makes it more likely we’ll achieve our goals.
When and why did you join WFWA?
I joined WFWA in December 2022 when I was actively searching for a writing community. I kept hearing that “writing is a solitary experience,” and even before I found WFWA, I didn’t quite buy that—at least, not as the only way it had to be.
At the time, I had just completed my second writing workshop ever and wanted to meet other writers. A simple Google search led me straight to WFWA.
Like many new members, I dipped my toe in by joining the Critique Program in January 2023. I met three wonderful writers and experienced the critique process for the first time. From there, I served as STAR Award Chair in 2024, then transitioned to VP of Programs in late 2024, which is where I’ve been serving since.
How has WFWA impacted your personal and professional writing journey?
I write both women’s fiction and fantasy, and like many writers, I enjoy stretching into different genres. I mention this because everything WFWA offers—Critique Groups, workshops, retreats, writing dates—supports my entire writing journey, not just my contemporary women’s fiction.
Being a WFWA member gives me access to discussions, webinars, and opportunities where writing is the shared language. It’s a world where everyone “gets it,” in a way my non-writer friends and family (lovely as they are) simply can’t. WFWA has been both grounding and energizing for me.
What prompted you to stand as a candidate for WFWA President?
The impact I’ve seen from my role as VP of Programs is a huge part of why I stepped forward. It has been an honor to have a bird’s-eye view of so many writers’ journeys this past year.
I’ve watched members who workshopped their opening pages in the Grabbing the Reader workshop get agent requests in Pitch Events. I’ve seen authors who were weighing their publishing path decide to go indie and thrive. These stories—among many others—continue to show me the real power WFWA has to shape a writer’s path.
I’ve also been consistently in awe of our volunteers. The sheer amount of work they do to create opportunities for members is remarkable. I want to continue being part of that legacy and find even more ways to make the volunteer experience clearer, more impactful, and better supported.
And finally, it has truly been an honor to serve with the current board. Their openness and support have made me feel seen, valued, and even more enthusiastic about being a member and volunteer. I’m an ideas person, and collaborating with people who welcome new ideas has been incredibly energizing.
If elected, what would you like to see happen over your 2-year tenure?
1. Strengthening connection and communication
With a large, virtual membership, helping people feel connected is essential. If elected, I would focus on making it easier for members to find information, understand what the organization offers, and engage with one another. Clearer communication and more accessible touchpoints would be a top priority.
2. Inviting more member input
Our members are passionate and bring a wide range of skills and perspectives. I want to continue creating meaningful ways for them to share ideas, offer feedback, and help shape the organization’s future. The more voices we hear, the stronger and more responsive we become.
3. Expanding opportunities for smaller communities
In a large organization, finding your niche can make all the difference. I would work to develop additional interest-based groups that give members smaller spaces to connect, collaborate, and support each other around shared experiences and writing paths.
4. Supporting writers at every stage
Our community includes brand-new writers, experienced authors, and everyone in between. I’m committed to making sure our programs and opportunities serve this full spectrum—whether that means offering resources that help writers grow their craft, providing avenues for professional development, or supporting authors as they promote their books.