Elaine completed graduate work in Performance Studies and Southeast Asian Studies receiving both the highest scholar's honor and the Alexander Astin Spirituality Award. Her BA was earned at William and Mary where she was a Wilson Scholar majoring in English Literature and minoring in Dance. Elaine taught at ASU in the Asian Pacific American Studies Program as well as in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication. She was a Summer Institute Fellow at Northwestern University's Center for Global Culture & Communication. Elaine owns and operates Elaine Kessler Photography, LLC. She also directs an arts based non-profit called Created Equal Trigger Exhibits where they present interactive art exhibits that generate conversation, collaboration and civic action. Elaine was nominated for Business Woman of the Year and featured in Gilbert Woman Magazine and was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce.