about maggie

As a little girl growing up in Kansas, I lived large as a writer and illustrator of my own books, a queen of crafting, and a leader of a dozen different made up businesses within my household.

Today, not much has changed when I say I’m a multi-disciplinary creative and educator with an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the last ten plus years, I've combined my passions to launch and direct innovative programs for schools and museums and have co-founded two nonprofits. My creative work touches on those big (and small) questions in life, and my style is to create with heart and humor. Things that energize me: creativity, nature, animals, your grandma’s cooking, listening, words, collaboration, compassion, and the human spirit. (Hence, that one summer spent living with a friendly family of shepherds on a sheep farm in New Zealand after reading The Alchemist.) Things I believe in: our youth, the power of storytelling, the soul, technology, eco-honoring processes, bullet points, dark chocolate, Woody from Toy Story, timing, legumes, laughter = best medicine, and kindness.

As a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University’s Teachers College, I began my career in education in New York City. This began with a year of national service teaching through City Year AmeriCorps in Spanish Harlem. I went on to manage the construction and opening of the nation's first children's history museum and piloted the first art education programs for the New-York Historical Society, both of which continue to serve thousands of students with limited access to art and enrichment. I then returned to the classroom, expanding the Digital Media Technology program at the acclaimed LaGuardia Arts High School--the public school that inspired the film and TV show Fame. There, I hit the lotto teaching  graphic design, branding, package design, web design, digital media, animation, film,  illustration, children’s book illustration, water color painting, and fashion to the world's most talented teen artists--aka the coolest people on the planet.

I currently live in Los Angeles with my husband and mini bernedoodle named Benihana. Beyond working as an artist and giving to my various creative projects, you can find me cooking and hosting gluten-free dinner parties, getting down in a hip hop dance class, cackling at a comedy club, or meditating on the beach.

Ultimately, I want to cultivate deeper connection and make positive impacts while guiding others to do the same. Last year, I was recognized for this, receiving a Leadership Award from Comcast NBCUniversal and confirming that great power can come from doing you, doing well, and doing good.