A recovering lobbyist (healthcare) and published essay writer for Bethesda Magazine, Irene Schindler is a native Washingtonian who has worked on Capitol Hill for over twenty years as a legislative analyst and legislative director. I've been in the back corridors of many a Capitol Hill fundraiser and in the front row during far too many interminable Budget Committee markups, and watched while confused Members of Congress stare blankly and mouth the words, “Help me.”

Irene served as Legislative Director for the Congressional Commission for a National Women’s History Museum, an against-all-odds effort that succeeded. Approved by Congress on December 27, 2020, the law directed the Smithsonian to establish two museums —the American Women’s History Museum and the American Latino History Museum — to be constructed on the National Mall.

Today, Irene is a college-essay writing coach, helping students tell their most compelling stories. She’s been featured on podcasts and panels guiding students about how to tackle the dreaded “personal essay.” Irene has just completed my 54,000-word young adult/middle grade novel, “Dirty Laundry.”