Lis Bensley graduated from UCLA’s College Counseling program, an intense program and practicum that focuses on counseling a range of students. Since 2009, Lis has worked with hundreds of students as the College Counselor for the Kirby School in Santa Cruz. She built a highly individualized college program there and has helped students get into a range of programs, from the most selective, to those with special services, always focusing on finding the best fit college for her students.     

Lis is also the author of the award-winning novel The Glimpse; the children’s book, The Adventures of Milo and Flea, and The Women’s Health Cookbook. She has worked as a journalist for The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, ARTnews, Fine Cooking, The New Mexican, and other publications.

Jill Wolfson is a professional writer, editor and writing coach who specializes in helping young people discover the joy of self-expression. She has led workshops and worked one-on-one on college application essays, journalism, poetry and all forms of creative writing.

For many decades, she has run writing workshops with youth incarcerated in juvenile hall. She loves helping reluctant writers overcome blocks and to discover their own voice. 

Jill is the author of four published novels for middle-grade and young adult readers. As a writer and editor, her work has appeared in many media outlets, including Bay Area Parent magazine, the Mercury News and the public radio show, This American Life.