Tanuja Desai Hidier (center) at Paint the Town Read in fall of 2024, photo by Dave Dostie. From left to right: Telling Room Executive Director Kristina Powell, Board member Bob Zager, former Board President Tanuja Desai Hidier, Zoé Rani HIdier, and Board Member Joe Conway.

How fortunate we are at The Telling Room that Tanuja found us, and for her sharing with us her authentic love of and pure belief in our mission. When I first met Tanuja, I was eagerly absorbing everything about The Telling Room. I was just beginning to understand the depth of what I would bring to my role as the new Executive Director, and what dreams and possibilities the Board, staff, and community would elevate to make real together. Tanuja was the first board member to reach out after I accepted the position, and her infectious warmth and enthusiasm leapt off the page. I was so excited to meet her.

Tanuja’s deep love for the literary arts and the power of youth voices is unwavering. Her time as President came sooner than anticipated, with the sudden and unexpected passing of incoming President Rob Gould. Tanuja met the moment with true grace in her leadership, and the utmost care for our entire Telling Room community. Unsurprisingly, this continued throughout her presidency, as the organization dug into the work of developing our strategic plan and celebrating our 20th anniversary year.

“It has been a distinct pleasure and a privilege collaborating with Tanuja during our time together at The Telling Room,” says incoming Board President Libby Lauze. “Tanuja's warmth and welcoming demeanor is a keen reflection of The Telling Room's values and it made her an exemplary ambassador and leader for the organization. Tanuja always says that speaking about the mission and contributions of The Telling Room to the community is one of the easiest jobs she has ever taken on. Her authentic passion for the organization's work is evidenced by her ability to engage community members in an enriching conversation that brings to life the work of The Telling Room. Tanuja's ability to draw new people into the orbit of The Telling Room is admirable. Thank you, Tanuja, for your exceptional leadership of The Telling Room. We will miss you but take comfort in knowing that you will always be one of The Telling Room's biggest champions in the community.”

“Tanuja has a way of conveying her passions with such sincerity, that it’s impossible to not share her zeal,” shares Sonya Tomlinson, Director of Alumni Development. “To know her is to know her family, all three generations in her household. Tanuja became engaged with us when her eldest daughter returned home from a program singing The Telling Room’s praises. Since then, every member of her family has been involved with us in some way. As board president and community-wide ambassador of the work we do, she leaves no stone unturned, no effort unthanked. Rarely would a stretch of time go by without her showing up to our writing center with someone totally new to us by her side, as if walking over the threshold was proof enough of the magic that happens here. She walks the walk, talks the talk, and floats on air. We are so grateful for her contributions leading our organization, and her unrelenting support that we know will continue.”

I consider myself better for having had the opportunity to work with Tanuja. It is not often that an organization has Asian women in its most senior roles. One of Tanuja’s greatest gifts to The Telling Room has been her unwavering love of all members of our community; her ability to see, hear, and hold the stories and experiences found in our books; and to bring all of us together—united by belief in the power of literary arts, youth voices, and of community listening and sharing together.

I speak for the entire Telling Room community when I share our heartfelt gratitude for Tanuja for all that she has given to The Telling Room. We cannot wait to see what she writes in her next chapter.

With Gratitude,

Kristina Powell
Executive Director
she/her/hers
kristina@tellingroom.org

Our Thanks for Tanuja Desai Hidier