At the intersection of creativity and community, Kids Can Write is on a mission to help children—and learners of all ages—become authors of their own stories. Founded by Virginia Tech student Elea Abisamra, the nonprofit teaches storytelling and writing skills through in-school and virtual programs, helping children publish their very own books.

This past semester, students in the Department of Management’s MGT 4084: Management Consulting Capstone partnered with Elea to help her rapidly growing nonprofit scale sustainably. The consulting team’s contributions included a new strategic fundraising plan, refined marketing messaging, event execution guides, and a framework for operational improvement.

“This project was highly rewarding,” said Tala Abuhamdeh. “It allowed us to apply consulting tools to produce high-impact deliverables. This experience elevated my confidence in problem-solving and project management” .

“We felt so proud and accomplished,” added Jessie Klausner. “It was great to have a real-world client we could truly help—and see our work make a difference” .

Working with a peer CEO offered a unique leadership opportunity for the team—one that reflects the Department of Management’s focus on hands-on, transformational learning.


“It was a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and supportive team,” said Kelly Livingston. “I gained valuable experience in research, analysis, and client communication” 

On the Consulting Team Experience

From Elea Abisamra, Founder of Kids Can Write

“Working with my consulting team was an incredibly positive and impactful experience. The team demonstrated a deep commitment to understanding Kids Can Write and went above and beyond to support its growth. From the very beginning, they were proactive, thorough, and collaborative—often identifying opportunities I hadn’t yet considered, such as potential partnerships with schools and local businesses, and taking the initiative to research and even reach out to them for me.”

“Their cooperation was outstanding. I felt truly supported throughout the process, and it was clear they had invested significant time and care into their work. They communicated regularly, adapted to feedback, and maintained a high level of professionalism throughout.”

“The outcome was both practical and inspiring. Their final presentation was polished and thoughtful—they even dressed in purple to align with KCW’s branding and displayed books we’ve published to help bring the mission to life. Their recommendations for building our social media presence, refining our collaborations, and approaching potential investors and donors were incredibly insightful. I fully intend to implement many of their suggestions as we continue to scale the organization.”

“This experience has left a lasting impact on me, and I’m truly grateful. I was deeply impressed not only by the team but also by the Pamplin College of Business Department of Management for offering such a high-caliber program. It made me feel supported as both a student and a founder.”

From classroom to community, and from concept to implementation, this project embodies what experiential learning at Pamplin is all about: students supporting students, with real impact.

To learn more or support the nonprofit, visit www.kidscanwrite.net.

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