I’m a writer, researcher, and consultant based in Washington, D.C. I work at the intersection of history, education, and public policy, helping people and organizations bring clarity to complex stories and projects.

For the past several years, I’ve led a multi-layered research project into the history of Kiawah Island, South Carolina, uncovering voices and stories that have long been overlooked. My work combines archival research, descendant outreach, and public history to illuminate the island’s layered past and create new paths for remembrance.

Alongside this, I’ve built Riesenberg Consulting LLC, where I help schools, nonprofits, and cultural organizations design meaningful learning experiences. From exhibit concepts and curriculum design to community engagement strategies, I bring the same tools I use in historical research—curiosity, analysis, and imagination—to contemporary challenges.

I began my career as a teacher and school designer in New York City, then earned an MPA at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Over the years, I’ve worked with public schools, city governments, preservationists, and philanthropists—always with a focus on making knowledge accessible, memorable, and impactful.

When I’m not in the archives or the classroom, you can find me experimenting with exhibit design at Fort Totten in D.C., drafting my forthcoming books, or hiking Rock Creek Park with my Carolina dog, Lulu.