Upcoming Events

  • March 28, 2025 11-1: “Cocoon” and Memoir Writing with Sarri Gilman
    Join local author and community advocate Sarri Gilman, in her newest book Cocoon and her favorite writing exercises for your memoir.
    Clinton Community Hall: 6411 South Central Avenue, Clinton WA 98236
    More information here
  • May 1, 2025: Conference for Parent to Parent Network (Private)
    Topic: The Repair Shop - What helps when you are under continuous stress.
    The Washington State Parent to Parent Network provides compassionate support and resource navigation to families of children with disabilities.
  • The Summer Inspired Writing Circle: May 6, 2025-July 10, 2025
    This is a one hour group meeting weekly to develop your stories and memoir writing skills. It will meet online Tuesday nights 7:00pm-8:00pm PST. There are 12 spots in this group. Sarri will share her favorite writing tips and exercises. $300 for the class. If you are interested in reserving a spot, please email me

Hiring Sarri for Your Event

Schedule Sarri to work with your organization

    How To Schedule an Event with Sarri

    1. Sarri accepts a limited number of workshops and keynotes in a year. These are planned in advance.
      Presentations are online or in-person.
    2. The audiences I serve are people who serve. I am a fit for public health, healthcare, human services, social services, education, and organizations who are lifting others.
    3. Please email me for more information.

    Sarri speaking at TEDx event

    I have four published books and these are the topics I can address for keynotes, presentations, or workshops.

    Cocoon, How One Woman Created a Shelter for Teens and Found Hope Along the Way

    Topics I cover are: Community Building, Grit, Failure, Leadership, Stewardship, Secondary Trauma, Hope.

    New Offering: Using memoir writing and collage to find our way in the dark and create connection

    In this half day workshop Sarri will present ways attendees can use memoir writing and collage to help manage trauma and grief

    • Identify the trauma exposure people are experiencing in their communities and with current issues
    • Explore ways to meaningfully engage with attendees around these events using memoir writing and collage
    • Define expectations for memoir writing that protects privacy and safety for those who are vulnerable in their writing
    • Craft prompts that would create a safe container to share the writing and collages

    Transform Your Boundaries

    Topics I cover are: 4 Basic Keys to Boundary Building, Extreme Boundary Challenges, The 7 Patterns, Self-Care, Becoming a Boundaries Expert and the Art of Listening to your Boundaries.

    Naming and Taming Overwhelm

    Topics I cover are: Overwhelm, Prevention, Recovery, Trauma, Self-Repair, Overwhelmed Communities, Overwhelmed Organizations, Leadership Responsibilities, Navigating beyond Overwhelm, Self-Compassion.

    The Mystery of Knowing Journal

    Topics I Cover are: Tips on writing and Journaling, Building a Self-Care Toolkit, Writing Skills for any Writing Project.

    Please email me for more information.


    Organizations Sarri has worked with

    • Parent to Parent Washington
    • Kaiser Permanente
    • Ronald McDonald House Global Charities
    • Within Reach
    • CMO’s For Washington State Hospitals
    • Federation of State Physician Health Programs
    • The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
    • Cocoon House
    • Tulalip Tribes
    • Northwest Indian College
    • Tacoma Public Library System
    • Sno-Isle Libraries
    • Timberland Library
    • United Way of Tacoma
    • Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County
    • IGNS (national association of respiratory therapists)
    • Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials
    • Leadership Snohomish County
    • Northwest Education Service District
    • University of Texas for a Five State Region
    • Palm Beach Jewish Women’s Leadership Group
    • Island County Public Health
    • Dropbox
    • Tacoma Nurse Family Partnership
    • Peninsula Behavioral Health
    • Oregon Environmental Council
    • eWomen Network
    • Resource Innovation Group
    • Washington State Department of Early Learning
    • Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department
    • Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network
    • Medical Officer Collaborative