On the frontlines of a changing planet, storytellers are our greatest witnesses. They see the world for what it is and what it can be, transmitting information in a way that informs, empowers, and drives tangible action from the ground up.

Nowhere is that informational link more important than in our own communities, places that are affected by large scale environmental, societal, and sociopolitical issues at the root level. Now, more than ever, it is essential to listen to these communities and their stories, using the knowledge they sow to enact larger, more comprehensive solutions built for everyone, not just the privileged few.

At Ori, we believe the best way to support this kind of progress is to give underrepresented students and community members the tools to tell their own stories. Through the unique Ori Collective nonfiction series, students from around the greater Seattle area will learn from working journalists, photographers, and editors to identify the key issues affecting their local ecosystem and produce well-researched reporting to drive systemic change. This semester-long program promotes sustainable storytelling, and a chance to not only see the world, but to be a part of it.

The Ori Collective is a free after-school resource for high school students. We have partnered with Garfield High School and are currently accepting applications from other Seattle area public high schools. If educators or school administration are interested in learning more about the program and how to enroll, please contact us at hello@ori-mag.com. Our next session begins January 2026 and lasts until June 2026.

"In order to reclaim ownership of our narrative, we need to train the next cohort of journalists from our region to tell compelling local stories—I see these workshops and Ori as doing precisely that."

- Jamie Rees, Teacher/Activities Coordinator, Garfield High School

Our Team

Founder/Programming Lead

Kade Krichko

Kade is an internationally recognized journalist that believed in the connective power of knowledge. He’s chased the barbed wire surf scene in Lebanon, run with Cuba’s underground Internet pirates, and traced skiing’s origins in rural China. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, ESPN, VICE, Anthony Bourdain's investment 'Roads & Kingdoms' and Outside among others. His work aims to give a voice to the voiceless, and provided young storytellers with the skills they need to tell their own stories. Kade is fluent in two languages, but has gotten lost in many others.

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Story Lead/Writer

Leah Rodriguez

Leah Rodriguez brings women’s health and culture stories to life. She’s interviewed everyone from ‘90s pop stars to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. Her reporting can be read in the pages of New York Magazine's The Cut, Elle, Bustle, Latina, The Infatuation, and more. Her work is grounded in community and collaboration.

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Community Outreach Manager

Kailee Lee

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Harborview Medical Center, Kailee leads Ori’s community outreach initiatives, emphasizing cultural and generational empowerment in marginalized populations. Kailee has a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Washington and is dedicated to building her local community from the ground up, especially in the realm of youth education and mentorship.

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