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What it's like to work with Willa...

"The significance of Willa's guidance during a pivotal transition in my organization's journey exceeded all expectations I had of a mentor. Rather than working from her own assumptions and delivering platitudes, she really listened to me—to all of us—and brought that rare capacity to understand our needs on all the dimensions we had them. In simple terms: She unblocked me. She didn't cheerlead—she clarified, she oriented, she made hurtles that were once scary feel fun and possible. Bravery can be learned and she is a gifted teacher. With her attentive support I was able to face my financial situation, develop goals, produce an action plan, and create a pitch deck, which she followed up on by co-planning a presentation to people who would become key supporters. Had Willa not provided a steady hand for our team, a foundation for us to stand on, and the time and resources we needed to make the hard decisions, The New Inquiry would not exist today. It's difficult to sum up in words, but simply put, Willa has a gift and our organizational well-being is a testament to it."

— Rachel Rosenfelt, Publisher and Vice President of The New Inquiry

"Willa is a triple threat: a sharp, strategic thinker with design and editorial strengths as well as a deep network across the creative community. She has produced some of the most impactful, inventive projects and campaigns I've seen, including The Creative Independent’s ‘zines, guides, and industry reports, and her very own artist residency program that she runs entirely as a one-woman production. Her work is impactful, culturally significant, and has helped uplift and support so many artists, writers, and other cultural producers."

— Lindsay Howard, Independent Curator

"My conversations with Willa around online media and publishing have been a testament to both her wealth of experience and her quick thinking. I found in Willa a pragmatist who moves easily between the strategic and the tactical. Our 1:1 discussions provided unexpected clarity when formalizing the thought leadership model of my practice. I'd confidently recommend Willa as a thought partner or strategy consultant to both industry leaders and entrepreneurs going to market with a new media product."

— Toby Shorin, Cultural Theorist, Design Strategist, Writer, and Partner at Other Internet

"Willa provided laser-pointed advice for Project Inkblot over a communications strategy that was both realistic for us, as well as effective. We trust her precision and willingness to deliver the truth, always cloaked with humor, and with the intention to expand our thinking. It's refreshing to work with someone who knows when to be hands-on, when to trust and hold space for our own process, and how to reliably deliver exactly what we needed to succeed."

— Boyuan Gao, Principal & Partner at Project Inkblot

"I have worked with Willa in numerous ways over the last few years, from collaborating on editorial projects, to getting feedback for my public lectures, to working with her to host the School for Poetic Computation's annual retreat at The Strange Foundation. In working with her as an editor, her meticulous process brought confidence to my writing, while leaving enough freedom for me to deeply explore my ideas. In all her work, she generously shares her perspective to bring clarity to my vision, and I've always found her to be highly communicative, patient, and understanding of everyones' different creative processes. Recently, I've enjoyed watching her foster a vast network of independent practitioners around the world through The Strange. I highly recommend Willa as an authentic leader and collaborator for your editorial, research, community organizing, and facilitation projects."

— Taeyoon Choi, artist and co-founder of the School for Poetic Computation

"Willa is a creative lamp—no, blowtorch—lighting the unfolding path. Willa has an exceptional eye for finding and refining talent, acting in roles as advisor, editor, and curator. I benefited from Willa's vision during a residency at the Strange Foundation's inspiration Decelerator program, where Willa served as a sounding board to help refine my project's direction, and introduced me to other incredible artists and cultural workers. In follow up, Willa invited me to publish two articles under her thoughtful guidance. Willa thinks and works with a profound generosity, a flexible spirit, and has proven time and again to possess a wildly innovative imagination. Whatever Willa invites me into, without hesitation, I'm there. I know the benefits will be tremendous." 

— Caits Meissner, author and Prison and Justice Writing Program Director at PEN America

Hello, you've reached the bottom of this page. Maybe you'd like to connect 1:1 now? You can email me [willa dot koerner at gmail dot com] with inquiries, questions, opportunities, or just to say hello. 'Til then, bye! <3