Laura Sherwood is the founder of Transformative Arts Project a local nonprofit founded to empower communities through art. She has a PhD in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University, her research focuses on the use of arts for community empowerment. She has facilitated a number of programs using arts-based methods that enhance individual and collect reflexivity. Laura has a background in both traditional and holistic therapies, she spent a decade working as a certified substance abuse counselor in Hawaii. She is a certified hypnotherapist, reiki master and attended 200 hr yoga teacher training in India in 2018. Currently she is facilitating Mediation and Movement at FAC, a space for individuals to experience mindfulness through movement.