Hello.
I’m Erica Ostermann,
nice to meet you.
I support people during their life transitions. I draw on a broad set of professional, problem solving, and interpersonal skills honed over many years working with whip-smart faculty and students in some of America’s most elite universities.
I endeavor for my interactions with others to be joy-filled and offer relief. There are plenty of stressors and expectations out there already. I am a trained listener, communicator, and facilitator with over a decade of experience as a crisis on-call responder. In times of stress and uncertainty I bring a calm and reassuring presence.
People often comment on my incredible energy–I think my young kids are way more impressive on that front.
My journey
From Maine
to California
to New York
I started as an assistant director in residential life at Bowdoin College in 2006. Three years later I moved across the country to earn my M.A. in Education at Stanford. While there I was accepted into the design school’s bootcamp class and later was part of the teaching team for the inaugural Launchpad course.
In 2010 I joined the faculty-led living learning community at Cornell University as an assistant dean. In my spare time I was a rock climbing instructor, Information Science PhD student, and facilitator for the team and leadership center. In 2020 I traded dorm rooms for classrooms, transitioning into the role of an academic advisor.
And in summer of 2023 I launched aligndwell to bring together my unique combination of professional experiences creating spaces and advising people navigating life transitions.
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![bird feeder on winder]()
View from the sink.
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![Coastal Maine beach scene.]()
Vacationland.
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![Journals and pens]()
Wellness box.
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![woman with dog in lap]()
First furbaby.
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![4 year old girl in purple sweatshirt school picture]()
Favorite top circa 1988.
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![child's artwork rainbows and trees]()
I still love rainbows.
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![Woman with bicycle at Crater Lake National Park]()
California to Maine.
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![Dirty boots on feet.]()
Maine fashion.
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![Two women in front of Stanford's DISH]()
Grad roommate.
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![woman on Libe Slope at Cornell]()
New town and new job.
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![Two adults snowshoeing on clear winter day]()
Jason meets Dad.
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![Four cyclist at Golden Gate bridge]()
Seattle to San Diego.
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![Erica Ostermann and Jason Hecht smiling on their wedding day walking down the aisle]()
Let the party begin.
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![IVF collage photo]()
Long and hard journey.
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![pregnant woman with gelato]()
Babymoon.
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![three women at coffee shop in winter]()
College roommates 10 years later.
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![Box of tissues and pillows and eye glasses on couch arm with open journal reflecting growth and challenges.]()
Sometimes I am leaky.
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![Yankee's stadium big screen]()
Summer memories.
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![kids birthday cake with race cars]()
Making cakes and car chases.
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![Operating photo of Dad with new baby]()
Not all things go as planned.
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![Dachshund running with stuffed bone in mouth]()
General Leia Organa.
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![Ballpit with grandma]()
Life goals: ball pit at age 88.
Delightful Details
I enjoy tea and hot chocolate, but avoid caffeine.
I grew up in central Maine, and yes, once I was stuck behind a moose on my way to school.
My favorite quick read when it isn’t clear what comes next is Becky Chambers’ A Psalm for the Wild-Built.
My pens of choice are the STABILO point 88 Fineliner (for colors) and the Pilot G2 Extra Fine Point (in black).
Houseplants were my pandemic project.
Making chocolate-chip pancakes with my family lets me create a sense of home wherever we are.
I am comfortable in many settings; I am at ease with silence, honesty is my jam, and I know my boundaries.
More Information
Education
Bowdoin College, B.A.
Stanford University, M.A.
Cornell University, currently a Ph.D. student
Location
From Maine
Lives in Ithaca, New York
Other Details
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Married: Jason Hecht
Children: 2
Pets: 2 dogs
Loves: Winter, old family photos, fixing small things, baking, and houseplants.