Our Team

Sarah White is a freelance writer and personal historian who helps people write about their lives and work as a developmental editor, writing coach, and ghostwriter. She teaches reminiscence writing, creative nonfiction, and writing craft. Sarah holds a Journalism degree from Indiana University and an MFA-Creative Nonfiction from the University of King's College. She has taught Guided Autobiography workshops since 2004. Instructor, "Find Your Students, Fill Your Classes" for Birren Center.

Cheryl Svensson has been involved in the field of aging since she graduated from the first Masters in Gerontology program at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1977 and later completed her Ph.D. at the University of Lund, Sweden. She worked closely with Dr. James Birren, founding Dean of the Davis School of Gerontology at USC, and is the Director of the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies. The Birren Center is dedicated to researching and developing programs to help people write and share their life stories. She has taught Guided Autobiography (GAB) at USC, UCLA, CSUF, libraries, and senior and assisted living centers. In 2009 she created a live, interactive online training course to teach students how to become GAB instructors; there are now nearly 700 GAB instructors in 32 countries. She is the co-author with Richard Campbell of the book, Writing Your Legacy: The step-by-step guide to crafting your life story and Bonnie Bernell, Uncovering the Treasures that Matter. She’s passionate about writing and sharing life stories. Cheryl makes her home bi-continentally - living in the fast lane in southern California and in the bike lane in Sweden. You may reach her at cheryl.svensson@gmail.com.

Heidi embarked on her Guided Autobiography (GAB) journey in 2015, becoming a certified instructor. Starting with workshops at home, she expanded to lead groups at libraries, churches, retirement centers, family retreats, and online, including international destination retreats. Currently, Heidi instructs in the GAB Instructor certificate program at the Birren Center. With a career in education spanning public and private schools, from middle school to adult students, she developed skills in curriculum development and teaching. Heidi witnessed the power of storytelling in her classrooms, fostering engagement and friendships. Today, through GAB classes, she continues to witness the transformative impact of sharing life stories. Apart from GAB, Heidi enjoys culinary adventures, gardening, reading, traveling, fitness, and cherishing moments with her three young adult children. As a Birren Center Board member, she aims to honor the legacy of Dr. James Birren and Dr. Cheryl Svensson by nurturing GAB's growth and connecting with diverse perspectives in life.

GAB Certified Instructor and Trainer for the Birren Center.

Writing Coach at Through Your Eyes ~ Writing Your Life Stories

Steven Weisberg is a 2012 Birren Center GAB grad who was inspired by the themed-based structure it offered for self-reflexive memoir writing and how those life-stories came to life through oral recitation.

“My branching out story involved the opportunity to meet Senator Robert F. Kennedy during his 1968 Presidential Campaign. Inspired by his famous quote “'Some men see things as they are, and say why. I dream of things that never were, and say why not.” I’ve spent a lifetime down that road less traveled seeking to bring new ideas to life”.

As a member of the Birren Board, I’d like to develop working collaborations with established institutions to create welcoming partnerships to bring the inspired life work of Dr. James Birren into local communities through the network of graduates of the GAB program he created.