Lorelei Verlee

CWOW FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A lifelong artist and innovative entrepreneur, Lorelei VerLee was inspired to start Creative Women of the World four years after being invited to assist in an artisan-based startup in Haiti named HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International).

For the initial month of formulation she lived in their rural community and observed their desires and assets. When she returned to the States she continued to volunteer as product designer and Marketing Director and made frequent trips back to Haiti. 

When other artisans from around the world heard about HAPI they began asking for similar help in distributing their unique products, Lorelei knew it was the right time to expand the outreach. 

Most women were very talented in handcrafting but had limited access to business training and broader distribution beyond their meager markets. They wanted to learn how to sustainably support their families. Lorelei's passion is to respectfully walk alongside them as they give birth to small businesses that are ethical and profitable. Lorelei knew from experience that authenticity, focused work and transparency leads to wholeness, spiritually and professionally.  And that leads to peace!

Lorelei has a passion for and has collected indigenous textiles from her travels around the world.   So during the product development stage she always tries to honor the artisan’s ancient cultures and traditions while guiding the eye of the producer to design products that appeal to buyers in a contemporary marketplace.

"Every person on earth is gifted with at least one asset that can transform their world." - Lorelei Verlee