Experience

Gather, Inc.

• United States
• Technology, Information and Internet

• Community Director, GatherBay

  • Aug 2022 - Present

  GatherBay is a new initiative of Gather, Inc (our umbrella organization). GatherBay connects young adults to each other, to Jewish organizations and initiatives, and to meaningful Jewish experiences in the East Bay. Learn more at https://gatherbay.org/ GatherBay is a new initiative of Gather, Inc (our umbrella organization). GatherBay connects young adults to each other, to Jewish organizations and initiatives, and to meaningful Jewish experiences in the East Bay. Learn more at https://gatherbay.org/



carokess.com

• Writer, Editor, & Strategist

  • Jan 2012 - Present

  When folks work with me, they’re empowered to finish books, refresh websites, concretize book proposals, sharpen their ideas, and ultimately, speak to the communities, customers, or clients they want to serve. I’m a hands-on editor who brings the big-picture thinking of a brand strategist and the wisdom of a trusted thought partner to help you break through whatever is holding you (and your book, brand, or initiative) back. My decade of experience and training as a poet and writer means that (together!) we’ll use the potent tools of language to crystallize your ideas and hone your voice. I’ll listen in between the lines of what you share, generating clarity for actionable next steps. Past/current clients include: bestselling author Chris Guillebeau // writer and changemaker Adam Smiley Poswolsky // founder of the Experience Institute, Victor Saad // and various startups like Vidcaster, Lyft, and ReWork. For questions or to discuss collaborating, head to carokess.com/contact. Show less



UpStart Lab

• Armenia
• IT Services and IT Consulting

• Editorial & Storytelling Manager

  • Jul 2018 - Oct 2020

  I managed and coordinated UpStart's thought leadership strategy, including concept design, drafting, editing, scheduling, and approvals for 30+ pieces (op-eds, press releases, blog posts, resource guides, and other materials) across our 5-city team. I served as the primary writer for major projects, including web copy for our new website (launched January 2019), our foundational case for giving and supporting materials, and other development communications. I managed and coordinated UpStart's thought leadership strategy, including concept design, drafting, editing, scheduling, and approvals for 30+ pieces (op-eds, press releases, blog posts, resource guides, and other materials) across our 5-city team. I served as the primary writer for major projects, including web copy for our new website (launched January 2019), our foundational case for giving and supporting materials, and other development communications.



Dorot Foundation

• United States
• Philanthropy
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Dorot Fellow in Israel, 2017-2018

  • Aug 2017 - Jun 2018

  I facilitated numerous sessions, including two day-long seminars (Theory of Occupation and Intentional Communities), conversations with award-winning authors Etgar Keret and Assaf Gavron, and workshops for organizations like Achvat Amim and the Negev Writers Retreat. As one of twelve people selected for this funded opportunity, I designed a highly-experiential, individualized learning program in which I studied Hebrew, volunteer with children of Eritrean refugees, participate in a Beit Midrash (Jewish study), and deepened into a somatic practice involving dance, movement, and contact improvisation. Two projects coalesced during my two: a collection of poems about Eve, femininity, and the body, as well as a collection of lyric essays about moving, displacement, and the diaspora. Show less



Ashreinu

• United Kingdom
• Education Management

• Co-Founder

  • Nov 2015 - Jul 2017

  Ashreinu is an egalitarian kehilla (community) that gathers for spirited davening, inspired learning, and creative ritual. We are steeped in tradition, based in St. Louis, and committed to building a collaborative, spiritual community. Founded in November 2015 by Caroline Kessler and Tasha Kaminsky, Ashreinu is the only egalitarian kehilla of its kind in St. Louis CIty. We meet in the homes of our community members throughout St. Louis, and occasionally in University City and Clayton. Our radically inclusive community has drawn people from all denominations, including those in the process of converting to Judaism. Our work has received generous support from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Moishe House Without Walls, Kol Rinah, and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Show less



Washington University in St. Louis

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• MFA Candidate in Creative Writing

  • Aug 2015 - May 2017

  I was a T.S. Eliot Scholar and the recipient of a fully-funded fellowship (tuition remission + stipend) for a two-year, full-time MFA program, as well as an instructor for Poetry Writing 1, a class open to all undergraduates at Washington University. My thesis has been published as a chapbook, Ritual in Blue (Sutra Press, April 2018). I was a T.S. Eliot Scholar and the recipient of a fully-funded fellowship (tuition remission + stipend) for a two-year, full-time MFA program, as well as an instructor for Poetry Writing 1, a class open to all undergraduates at Washington University. My thesis has been published as a chapbook, Ritual in Blue (Sutra Press, April 2018).



Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)

• Education Support Specialist

  • Mar 2013 - Apr 2015

  JVS transforms lives by helping people build skills and find jobs to achieve self-sufficiency. I wore many hats, doing everything from teaching over 200 workshops and strategy groups, developing online and in-person curriculum, supporting the 28th Kohn Summer Intern program, and coordinating two monthly newsletters. JVS transforms lives by helping people build skills and find jobs to achieve self-sufficiency. I wore many hats, doing everything from teaching over 200 workshops and strategy groups, developing online and in-person curriculum, supporting the 28th Kohn Summer Intern program, and coordinating two monthly newsletters.



The Sourcery

• United States
• Staffing and Recruiting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Candidate Manager

  • Jul 2012 - Dec 2012

  A new style of recruiting service that charges by the hour for their time, plus expenses (mostly the cost of advertising the jobs)--perfect for small and medium-sized businesses. The Sourcery is a recruiting-as-a-service company. In addition to filtering resumes, phone screening, and sourcing candidates, I managed the blog, Twitter, and Facebook. A new style of recruiting service that charges by the hour for their time, plus expenses (mostly the cost of advertising the jobs)--perfect for small and medium-sized businesses. The Sourcery is a recruiting-as-a-service company. In addition to filtering resumes, phone screening, and sourcing candidates, I managed the blog, Twitter, and Facebook.



Net Impact

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Communications Intern

  • Jan 2012 - Jun 2012

  Produced of twice-monthly newsletter reaching 34,000+ members using Exact Target and Salesforce Managed social media (Facebook and Twitter), reaching a total audience of about 16,000 Oversaw internal communication processes, such as proofing system, media scanning, and press monitoring Conducted research on various topics, such as CSR, sustainable business, career development, and MBA programs Produced of twice-monthly newsletter reaching 34,000+ members using Exact Target and Salesforce Managed social media (Facebook and Twitter), reaching a total audience of about 16,000 Oversaw internal communication processes, such as proofing system, media scanning, and press monitoring Conducted research on various topics, such as CSR, sustainable business, career development, and MBA programs



Forum for Dialogue Among Nations

• Goldman Fellow

  • Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

  American Jewish Committee Goldman Fellow Edited and designed donor reports for the Forum's largest project, the School of Dialogue Collaborated on three grants, conducted linguistic verification of Forum’s materials, developed a style guide for writing for American audiences, coordinated logistics for study tour American Jewish Committee Goldman Fellow Edited and designed donor reports for the Forum's largest project, the School of Dialogue Collaborated on three grants, conducted linguistic verification of Forum’s materials, developed a style guide for writing for American audiences, coordinated logistics for study tour



Deeplocal

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Assistant

  • Jun 2010 - Aug 2010

  Maintained relationships with ad agency contacts, wrote blog entries, monitored social media, gathered press, brainstormed new marketing strategies, researched and pitched specific projects to road roads across the U.S. Maintained relationships with ad agency contacts, wrote blog entries, monitored social media, gathered press, brainstormed new marketing strategies, researched and pitched specific projects to road roads across the U.S.



Academic Development, Carnegie Mellon University

• Academic Counselor

  • Jan 2009 - May 2010

  Advised students one-on-one for time management, study skills, and test preparation; developed and conducted large group workshops for students across all years and majors on preparing for finals, time and stress management, and other study skills Advised students one-on-one for time management, study skills, and test preparation; developed and conducted large group workshops for students across all years and majors on preparing for finals, time and stress management, and other study skills