We recently connected with Kristen Fogle and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kristen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

Innovation, for me, hasn’t come from one big idea—it’s come from the way I’ve built my career: through synthesis, not specialization. While many people follow a single track, I’ve intentionally gathered experience across a wide range of fields: I’ve led a drug and alcohol education organization, taught restorative yoga, performed and produced theater, written for magazines, worked with kids and adults, and even had a stint at a baseball stadium.

At the time, it might’ve looked random—but over the years, that mix of skills became a kind of toolkit. I didn’t just learn how to work in different environments—I learned how to think from different perspectives.

Now, as the executive director of a literary nonprofit, I draw on all of that. Most organizations in this space have narrowly defined roles: someone teaches, someone fundraises, someone curates. I’ve done all of it. That cross-disciplinary lens has allowed me to design programming that’s both creatively fulfilling and financially sustainable. I don’t just think like a writer—I think like an audience member, a parent, a performer, a funder.

That’s the innovation: building a community space that reflects the complexity and richness of the people it serves. Not by following a template, but by integrating what I’ve learned from every chapter of my career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For over a decade, I’ve been the Executive Director of San Diego Writers, Ink, a nonprofit literary arts organization located in Liberty Station that’s been supporting writers of all levels for over 20 years. We offer writing workshops, readings, open mics, critique programs, drop in writing sessions, youth programs, art shows, and special events that bring people together around the written word. At our heart, we’re a community—both online and in person. We believe in the transformative power of writing and the importance of creative expression at every stage of life. I also teach for other great organizations like La Jolla Playhouse and Wounded Warrior Project and recently accepted a board position with Dorland Mountain Arts.

Prior to Ink, I was a magazine writer and editor. I’ve interviewed celebrities like Taylor Swift and the Kardashians, reported on lots of fun events, and done dining and product reviews. I’ve also been doing theater for a long time.

What I’m most proud of is how we’ve grown the organization while staying true to our roots. Through it all, we’ve stayed committed to connection over competition, process over perfection, and building a creative space that feels meaningful.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

When I had a child six years ago, I wore the idea of “doing it all” like a badge of honor. After nearly 30 hours of labor and two major surgeries, I took pride in checking off tasks and answering emails—as if staying productive proved something important.

But I quickly learned that “doing it all” is a myth rooted in capitalism, not wellness. What I actually needed was rest, rhythm, and room to say no. Over time, I began to unlearn the belief that my value was tied to output. Slowing down, embracing ritual, and being more intentional with my time has been a slow return to sanity—and to what really matters.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, creativity is both a survival skill and a source of endless inspiration. It’s how I problem-solve, how I stay grounded, how I find new ways forward when things feel uncertain. I never run out of ideas—and more importantly, I trust that creativity will carry me through.

What’s most rewarding is knowing that this goes beyond me. Creativity, innovation, and expression aren’t side notes to progress—they’re the blueprint. They help us imagine better systems, tell truer stories, and connect in deeper, more meaningful ways. I genuinely believe they can transform not just individual lives, but the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://writeyourstorynow.org