meet the team
STAFF
KATHIE KLARREICH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kathie Klarreich is the author of Madame Dread: A Tale of Love, Vodou, and Civil Strife in Haiti and a contributor to two anthologies: So Spoke the Earth and Women, Writing, and Prison. In 2010 she received a Knight International Journalism Fellowship to train journalists in investigative reporting in Haiti, where she spent half of those previous 24 years reporting for print, radio and television, including Time, The New York Times, ABC, and NPR. Kathie started facilitating writing workshops in the correctional system in 2009 and began the writing exchanges with academic institutions in 2013 and founded E4C in 2014. She graduated from the University of Michigan and received her MFA from Lesley University.
MARIA L. LOPEZ ISABEL
OPERATIONS MANAGER
A lifelong advocate for justice and truth, Maria L. Lopez Isabel brings her passion for helping others to her role at Exchange for Change. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice, she is driven by a quest to create pathways for education and successful reintegration. Her operational expertise and research experience underpin the organization's programs, fostering environments where voices can be heard and positive change can flourish. Maria's unwavering commitment to service and ethical integrity make her an invaluable asset in advancing the mission of Exchange for Change.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WENDY HINSHAW
CHAIR
Wendy Hinshaw is an Associate Professor of English and Director of Writing at Florida Atlantic University. Originally from the midwest, Wendy has called Florida home for over a decade and has retired permanently from winter. Wendy's research focuses on writing by and about people in prison, and she has contributed to several collections on prison writing, including a co-authored essay with Kathie Klarreich, "Writing Exchanges: Composing Across Prison and University Classrooms." Wendy also co-edited a special issue of the journal Reflections on Prison Writing, Literacies, and Communities, which featured incarcerated writers from across the country and many from Exchange for Change. She currently serves as a founding member of the Florida Coalition on Higher Education in Prison, and her current research and activity focuses on banning the box and removing college application barriers for justice-involved students. Oddly enough, she has also taken up ice skating.
ANA M. LUSZCYNSKA
VICE CHAIR
Ana M. Luszczynska is the Dean of the School of the Environment, Arts and Society (SEAS) in the College of Arts, Sciences and Education at Florida International University (FIU). She joined FIU as an Assistant Professor of English in 2004 and served as the Graduate Program Director (2016-2019) and Department Chair (2019-2021) before becoming Dean of SEAS. Dr. Luszczynska received her PhD in Comparative Literature from SUNY Buffalo in 2003 with a focus on Latinx and African-American Literatures and 20 th century continental philosophy, with particular emphasis on Phenomenology. Her monograph The Ethics of Community was published by Bloomsbury Press in 2011 and she is currently working on her next book project on Latinx Literature in a Miami context.
MISTY HALL
TREASURER
With over two decades of leadership experience in the global financial services sector, Misty Hall has honed her skills in operational strategy, transformation, and innovation. Her journey has seen her leading large-scale transformations, championing diversity and inclusion, and building high-performing teams. Misty's ability to challenge the status quo and her unwavering commitment to doing what's right for businesses, clients, partners, and employees set her apart.
Beyond her professional achievements, Misty is a dedicated mother, wife, foster parent, offering support and guidance to teenagers navigating the probation system. Her experience in this role has fueled her passion for creating opportunities and amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals.
Whether she's leading large teams, guiding foster youth, or advocating for change, Misty's authentic leadership style, rooted in integrity, collaboration, and genuine care, inspires those around her to reach their fullest potential. Misty is excited to bring her extensive experience, inclusive mindset, and passion for community building to Exchange for Change.
RYAN MOSER
SECRETARY
Ryan Moser is a formerly incarcerated journalist and award-winning writer from Philadelphia. A former Exchange for Change student, Ryan has been published in many media outlets and literary journals, and is a 2023 Fellow for Resolve Philly and the Education Writers Association.
SKYLAR THOMPSON
DIRECTOR
Skylar Thompson is the Director of Global Advocacy and Accountability at Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), where she leads international justice and accountability efforts concerning human rights violations within the Islamic Republic. Her work is deeply rooted in advocating for and carving out strategic pathways to accountability across States and multinational institutions, including the United Nations. She is a guest author at Just Security and actively contributes as an authority on Iran-related issues to both print and broadcast media covering diverse topics including intricacies of accountability, and broader themes of international human rights and criminal law.
Prior to working on Iran, Skylar worked on the Rohingya refugee response in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and with the students at Exchange for Change where she was inspired daily by the creativity, resilience, and power to become their own advocates through writing. Skylar is currently based in Washington D.C.
SHARA KOBETZ PELZ
DIRECTOR
Shara Kobetz Pelz is a Professor of Legal Writing at the University of Miami School of Law. Prior to working at UM, Shara was an Assistant Public Defender with Miami-Dade County. Shara started teaching Legal Writing with E4C in Spring 2018. She has a BA in history from the University of Texas at Austin and she earned her J.D. from UM Law where she was a Miami Scholar. When she is not grading papers, Shara loves to read and spend time with her family.
INTERNS
ELYSE BARTELMEY
GISSELL DEL CASTILLO
LAURIN FRIEDLAND
NOT PICTURED
Joella Nortelus, Director
Kavell Scott, Director
ADVISORY BOARD
Russell Banks, In Memoriam
Reginald Dwayne Betts
Edwidge Danticat
Claudia Kitchens
Jody Lewen
Mitchell Kaplan
Isiah Thomas