Bio Susan Overlay

Susan Cardosi-Albert – Outreach Manager Susan Cardosi-Albert fell in love with storytelling and expressive arts at a very young age. She has been a dancer, volunteer, writer, teacher, and nonprofit leader. Her personal essays about being an adoptive parent and...

Bio Nadia Overlay

Nadia Irwin – Board Member & Treasurer Nadia immigrated to the US from the former Soviet Union at the age of 12 and has been a Los Angeles resident since. She graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in accounting and obtained her...

Bio Nancy Overlay

Nancy Weiss, LCSW, BCD – Board Member & Program Director Nancy L. Weiss, LCSW, BCD is a psychotherapist, spiritual director, collage artist and poet. She holds Masters’ degrees in Clinical Social Work and Education. Nancy taught in the Clinical Psychology Program...

Bio Amy Overlay

Amy Phillips – Board Member & Marketing Director Amy Phillips has more than 20 years in the Los Angeles arts community. She founded Girl Empowerment LA, a creative strategies program that explores issues of identity, self-esteem, role models and goals through the...

Bio popup Elya

Elya Braden: Founder & President From an early age, Elya was drawn to the expressive arts— writing poetry, singing and acting, dancing, and exploring various arts and crafts. However, after earning her B.A. in Religion at Duke University and her J.D. at Stanford...
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