We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elana Merzin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Elana, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I get my resilience from a deep well of lived experience, inner knowing, and creativity. It has been shaped by the moments I felt lost, the times I questioned my path, and the struggles that forced me to rebuild. Growing up, I learned the power of evolution and reinvention, and that has carried me through every pivot in my life—whether it was shifting from art to social work, navigating burnout in the nonprofit world, or taking the leap into entrepreneurship.
My resilience is deeply tied to my Jewish identity. The concept of tikkun olam is rooted in Hebrew, with tikkun meaning repair, heal, or amend, and olam representing the world, universe, or eternity. It is the lens through which I view and move through the world—a call to recognize the brokenness around us, yet also the infinite potential for renewal and transformation. It reminds me that even in brokenness, there is purpose. Every setback, every moment of doubt, has been an invitation to reimagine, create, and trust that I am being guided.
Creativity is my anchor. It’s how I process the world, navigate challenges, and reconnect with myself. Whether I’m painting, writing, or holding space for others, I’m channeling an inner spark that keeps evolving and growing.
I find strength in the people who uplift and inspire me—my mentors, friends, husband, and the incredible women I support. Their unwavering belief in me, especially in moments when my own confidence wavers, fuels my passion and reminds me of the impact I’m here to make.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Welcome IN!
I am Elana Merzin, a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) here in Boulder, CO, with Midwest roots, originally from the metro Detroit area. With a background in both social work and art education, my journey into this work began with a pivotal experience—an Alternative Spring Break trip to Overtown, Miami, Florida, with EMU (Eastern Michigan University) Hillel, where I helped build houses with Habitat for Humanity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
That experience shattered my understanding of impact, privilege, and responsibility, making me question everything I thought I knew. It was there that I pivoted from pursuing art education to social work, realizing my calling to work within communities and create systemic change. I am now a spiritual entrepreneur and the Founder/CEO of The WildHERness Co.
With over 13 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, I bring a unique lens to impact-driven work, exploring how we can challenge existing structures and take responsibility for creating more inclusive, healing-centered spaces.
As a spiritual entrepreneur, my work is deeply rooted in guiding Jewish women to reclaim their creativity, embrace healing, and step into their authentic power and calling.
As I pursued higher education at The University of Michigan, working toward my Master of Social Work with an emphasis on Social Systems and Community Organizations, I found myself deeply questioning the structures around me. tikkunelana began as a personal blog, a fun way to document what I was learning in my journey as a social worker and a space to explore the intersections of creativity, healing, and community impact. My journey has taken me from Michigan to Chicago, then to Colorado, Tulsa, back to Michigan, and now back to Colorado—a winding path that has deepened my trust in the process of unfolding.
Along the way, I’ve embraced creativity and holistic wellness as tools for resilience, integrating esoteric practices and somatic healing to combat burnout. My work centers those who identify as neurodivergent, those who move through the world a bit differently, and those who seek off-the-beaten-path approaches to healing and self-discovery. By weaving together embodiment, integration, and intuitive practices, I guide others in aligning with their true selves and reconnecting with their innate wisdom. Each move was a lesson in resilience, reinvention, and the power of listening to my intuition.
Moving across the country reinforced my belief in trusting intuition and embracing change. As I followed my intuition, Tikkunelana evolved into something far greater—a movement dedicated to helping Jewish women in the nonprofit and impact sectors navigate their careers, reconnect with their creative spark, and break free from limiting narratives. My journey of relocating across the country multiple times—from Michigan to Chicago, to Colorado, Tulsa, back to Michigan, and now back to Colorado—pushed me to embrace uncertainty, deepen my trust in the unfolding path, and discover new ways of creating impact.
During the pandemic, I returned to my creative roots in a whole new way—delving deeper into spiritual and esoteric practices that reshaped my understanding of healing, purpose, and personal power. It is about reclaiming our inner artist and creative force to release stagnant energy, allowing us to step fully into ourselves as thought leaders and changemakers. I realized that my path wasn’t just about making space for my own voice but about holding space for others to rediscover theirs. That’s when I leaped fully into my calling as a spiritual entrepreneur, weaving together coaching, consulting, and creative healing into my work.
Through tikkunelana, I guide Jewish women on a journey of self-reclamation—helping them embrace their creativity, honor their intuition, and step into their fullest, most liberated selves. I offer 1:1 coaching, nonprofit consulting, and transformative workshops that focus on aligning passion with purpose. I help women step into leadership while nourishing their well-being, combat burnout with holistic healing, and fully embody their gifts in their work and communities. My work is about deconstructing the systems that confine us, co-creating spaces of liberation, and revolutionizing what it means to lead and soar.
While I work with Jewish women in intergenerational spaces, I have a soft spot for Jewish Millennial women navigating nonprofit spaces, as I deeply identify with their experiences of feeling boxed in, underutilized, or undervalued—just as I once did. My goal is to guide them into leadership without burnout, using nonlinear leadership frameworks, mentorship rooted in Jewish values, and creative expression as a form of stepping into their power. My work also challenges the scarcity mindset in impact spaces, shifting away from competition and toward collaboration, mutual support, and abundance.
The WildHERness Co. was born out of pure frustration and angst in June 2024—because traditional systems just don’t work for me, and it’s clear that I am not alone. This space was created as a vibrant, co-creative community designed to support and empower women navigating the liminal spaces of life. Rooted in the lens of tikkun olam—the Jewish call to repair and heal the world—The WildHERness Co. is a sanctuary for those who feel like they are moving between worlds, whether professionally, personally, or spiritually. With nearly 260+ free members who have already joined this space, this is just the beginning. No matter where you are geographically, professionally, or personally, you are welcome here. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued—together, we can heal ourselves and repair the world. It is a reclamation—an act of allyship, discernment, and witnessing each other on our own WildHERness journeys.
WildHERness Co. builds on this mission, serving as a vibrant, co-creative community for Jewish-identified women navigating life’s transitions. By weaving ancient Jewish mysticism with modern-day magic, we help women reconnect with their wild, divine selves through creative self-expression and healing practices.
Here, we challenge outdated systems, bring magic into the mundane, and co-create new ways of being. Whether you are shaping change in the nonprofit and impact sectors, stepping into leadership, or seeking deeper purpose and connection, WildHERness Co. is here to hold you. Through retreats, creative experiences—both virtual and in-person—and healing practices rooted in Jewish mysticism and modern embodiment techniques, we help women reconnect with their wild, divine selves.
As a new space, we envision the continuation of circling each month in alignment with the Jewish calendar and Rosh Chodesh—the head of the month, a sacred time in Jewish tradition marking renewal and new beginnings. These sacred moon circles allow us to honor, mark time, and embrace the natural rhythms of change in our lives. In the future, we plan to create a membership community—an ever-evolving, intentional space where we can deepen our connections, expand our learning, and co-create meaningful change. This vision is greater than I ever imagined, and you can be a part of it!
What excites me most about this work is that it is both deeply personal and radically transformative. It’s about reconnecting with the essence of who we’ve always been, dismantling limiting beliefs, and stepping boldly into the lives we are meant to create. It’s about disrupting outdated systems, questioning societal expectations, and co-creating a world where women feel empowered to be their authentic selves. This is more than just a movement—it is a revolution in how we heal, create, and lead.
We are not meant to do this work alone. By coming together in community, we amplify our impact, strengthen our voices, and remind each other of the power we hold. Through The WildHERness Co. we are weaving new narratives, honoring both the seen and unseen labor of transformation, and making space for all who feel called to step into their next chapter.
This is just the beginning. A reclamation, a return, and a remembering of who we are at our core. The world needs our voices, our visions, and our collective magic. Together, we are reimagining what’s possible. It’s about reconnecting with the essence of who we’ve always been, dismantling limiting beliefs, and stepping boldly into the lives we are meant to create. It’s about disrupting outdated systems, questioning societal expectations, and co-creating a world into being.
What Makes My Work Special:
My work stands out because it integrates my personal journey of rediscovering creativity, healing, and spiritual connection. Creativity has always been a vital part of my life, but I lost touch with it during my years in the nonprofit sector. Rediscovering it became central to my healing journey, and now, through tikkunelana and WildHERness Co., I help other women embrace their inner artist, healer, and change maker.
The intersection of creativity and healing is sacred—it’s the heartbeat of transformation. When women reclaim these powerful parts of themselves, they tap into an inner wisdom that not only heals their own spirit but also sparks inspiration and empowerment in everyone they touch. Witnessing this expansive unfolding is what lights me up and fuels the soul of my work.
What’s New?
The doors to The WildHERness Co are wide open—and I’m beyond excited to welcome you into this soulful community. Whether you’re navigating life’s transitions, craving deep connection, or ready to awaken your creative and intuitive power, this space is for you.
Join our thriving community of Jewish women on a journey toward healing, creativity, and empowered growth:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewildhernesscollective
Ready to delve in deeper or curious about how we can collaborate or co-create?
Explore more at https://thewildherness.co/ or reach out directly to me on—I’d love to hear from you!
Welcome to your WildHERness—let’s embrace this adventure together.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and Areas of Knowledge
1. Creative Expression for Healing and Radical InnovationReturning to my creative roots has been a game-changer. It’s been my medicine, a way to heal deeply, and a source of powerful ideas that have shaped my professional journey. When we engage in creative practices, we unlock hidden parts of ourselves—areas blocked or silenced—that logic alone can’t touch.
My advice: What lights you up? Follow that spark! If you’ve been longing to pick up colored pencils after years away, trust that calling and start creating. Prioritize creativity, even when it feels unrelated to your career—it’s your secret weapon for healing and radical transformation.
2. The Courage to Pivot and Chart Your Own PathLife is beautifully messy and unpredictable—I’ve learned this firsthand. Pivoting from art education to social work, then from nonprofit roles to entrepreneurship, taught me to trust my inner compass fiercely. Charting your own path is not just a skill; it’s an act of radical self-trust and courageous rebellion against boxes that don’t fit.
My advice: Embrace change boldly. See pivots as powerful opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. Every shift brings clarity, alignment, and a deeper connection to your authentic purpose.
3. Creating and Cultivating Intentional CommunityBuilding community has been central to my life and work—especially when I’ve felt like an outsider. Sometimes, the communities we crave don’t yet exist, and it’s up to us to create spaces where people feel deeply seen, supported, and empowered.
My advice: Prioritize nurturing connections that uplift and inspire. As spiritual entrepreneurs, it’s easy to isolate or adopt the hermit archetype. While solitude is healing, community fuels our inspiration and sustains our growth. Trust your intuition, build intentionally, and seek relationships that energize your spirit.
Advice for Early Journeys:
Reach out boldly—connect intentionally with mentors, peers, and people who inspire you. Invest in relationships that accelerate your growth.
Don’t fear pivots; uncertainty is fertile ground for discovering your true calling.
Integrate creativity into your daily life. It doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be authentically yours.
Invest in your well-being, personal growth, and development—your impact depends on it.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Collaborations and Partnerships
Collaborations and Partnerships
I am passionately open to meaningful collaborations and partnerships that align with the bold, transformative mission of The WildHERness Co.—healing and repairing the world by empowering individuals to unapologetically embrace their sacred and creative gifts. Collective growth thrives when diverse skill sets, radical ideas, and powerful perspectives unite to ignite lasting impact.
I’m particularly eager to partner with:
Creative Rebels (artists, writers, designers): Ready to co-create bold resources, dynamic programs, and transformative workshops that amplify healing, self-expression, and radical innovation.
Visionary Nonprofit Leaders and Social Entrepreneurs: Committed to systemic change, justice, and deepening conversations around identity, belonging, and empowerment. Let’s collaborate on energizing speaking engagements, dynamic workshops, and restorative retreats.
Spiritual Guides and Healers: To expand the offerings of WildHERness Co. through sacred workshops, intuitive rituals, and holistic practices.
Women-led Businesses and Organizations: Who share the mission of fostering radical personal and professional growth for all women.
If this resonates with your vision, let’s connect! Reach me at [email protected] or DM me on Instagram at @thewildherness.co.
Together, let’s fiercely empower each other to embody our wildest, most authentic selves and heal the world through our collective magic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tikkunelana.com/ and https://thewildherness.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tikkunelana/ and https://www.instagram.com/thewildherness.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tikkunelana/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tikkunelana/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tikkunelana
Image Credits
John Hardwick
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
