Celeste Headlee is an award-winning journalist, professional speaker and the author of We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter, and Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving. An expert in conversation, human nature, reclaiming our common humanity and finding well-being, Celeste frequently provides insight on what is good for all humans and what is bad for us, focusing on the best research in neuro and social science to increase understanding of how we relate with one another and can work together in beneficial ways in our workplaces, neighborhoods, communities and homes. She is a regular guest host on NPR and American Public Media and a highly sought consultant, advising companies around the world on conversations about race, diversity and inclusion. Her TEDx Talk sharing 10 ways to have a better conversation has over 23 million total views, and she serves as an advisory board member for ProCon.org and The Listen First Project. Celeste is the recipient of the 2019 Media Changemaker Award. She is the proud granddaughter of composer William Grant Still, the Dean of African American Composers.

Ozy Aloziem is an Igbo social worker deeply committed to collective liberation and social justice.  Originally raised on Omaha land, she has been a visitor on Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute territories since 2015. Ozy is the Denver Public Library's first Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Manager. She is a 2021 Library Journal “Movers & Shakers” award winner for her racial equity research and advocacy. As a critical Black feminist, she prioritizes racial and gender equity in her teaching, scholarship, and activism. She uses this focus to amplify voices of marginalized communities that are left on the fringes of research, public policy, and global conversation. Presently, her research is centered around trauma-informed & culturally responsive community engagement, radical healing, and radical imagination.

Beth Atwater is the Fiction and DVD Collection Development Librarian for the Johnson County KS Library system. In other words, she has her dream job. Beth is also a Romance reviewer for Publishers Weekly and a devoted fan of all things fiction regardless of media type. In her free time, she can be found binge watching, reading, or listening to an audiobook. Beth is honored to have been PLA’s 2020 Allie Beth Martin winner.

Patricia B. Ball, PhD, has many years of experience working in various types of libraries. Presently, she is a manager with Cobb County Public Library System (Stratton). She previously worked for Atlanta-Fulton, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Public Library Systems and is an active ALA member. Dr. Ball served on OITP (Office of Information Technology Committee); chaired E-Government Services Committee; Copyright Committee; chaired Telecommunications Committee; Census Committee; ALA Legislation Committee; served on LITA (Education, Top Tech Trends Committees); Library Freedom Institute Cohort Two (Privacy Advocate).

Nicholas Alexander Brown is a Honduran-American library executive, arts producer, and musician based in Prince George's County, Maryland. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Communication and Outreach at the Prince George's County Memorial Library System. In 2019, Brown was named to the Library Journal Movers & Shakers - Innovators list for his work in programming and community engagement. He is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Library and Information Science at The Catholic University of America and a past president of the District of Columbia Library Association. Brown previously worked in the Office of the President and Provost at Harvard University, and held internships in the Office of the First Lady at The White House (Obama Administration) and in the Boston Symphony Orchestra Press Office.

Stephanie Buchanan is Director of the Bucyrus Public Library in Bucyrus, OH. She previously worked as the director for the Bellevue Public Library and before this as a branch manager for the Huron County Community Library, all rural libraries in Ohio. Stephanie has served the Ohio Library Council in several capacities, been an active Rotarian and volunteered for many boards. She is also the founder of a grassroots nonprofit for the betterment of her community. She has a passion for rural libraries and sees them as an integral part of their communities. She strives to identify the gaps in equalities and shift the focus of her library to fill them, making the community a level playing field for all. She has a business degree from Tiffin University and has worked in public libraries for over 27 years.

Dianne Connery has been committed to rural public libraries since 2010. She earned a Master of Library Science from Texas Woman's University and a Master of Gerontology from the University of North Texas. Ms. Connery is actively invested in efforts to improve broadband access and digital inclusion in rural communities. She is passionate about inspiring others and advocating for the work of rural libraries, with emphasis on addressing the technology needs of the community. Ms. Connery was honored as an Innovator in Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers class of 2021.

In his current role as a library assistant with Madison Public Library, Dominic Davis has co-chaired the department Racial Equity Change Team (RECT) since 2019 which aims to foster a sense of urgency in addressing racial equity and social justice by providing resources, professional development, and leadership across the organization. He is also the project manager for the library Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Affinity Group. The BIPOC Affinity Group formed because of the need to make sure during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, during heightened political tension, that staff of color feel supported and that they belong - and this group provides space for staff of color to show up as their whole selves.

Brittany Garcia is the Adult and Teen Services Supervisor of the Rancho Cucamonga Public Library. She has been working in adult and teen services as well as technology services for the last eight years specializing in programming, leadership, and grant writing.  She earned her Master's in Library and Information Studies from San Jose State University.

As Senior Library Manager for Collection Development Services at Wake County Public Libraries (WCPL), Theresa Lynch oversees three distinct areas of Collection Development:  Selection, Materials Management, and Deselection/Disposal.  The mission of Wake County Public Libraries is to instill the love of reading and foster the pursuit of knowledge for all residents of Wake County, and this is achieved by managing a collection of over 1.5 million items - focusing on popular reading materials for all ages.  WCPL serves a growing population of over 1 million residents living across 835 square miles and enjoying our 23 public library locations abundantly full of books, engaged staff, and exciting programming.

Brandy McNeil, Ph.D is a NY bred, serial innovator who focuses on community needs through game-changing innovations to build successful adult education programs. As an award-winning Director of digital literacy for The New York Public Library, Dr. McNeil has played a significant role in paving the way for impactful programs in the 89 branches under her stewardship across NYC. Dr. McNeil is a leading figure and sought-after speaker of digital equity, workforce readiness and DEI. She is also a contributing writer of the book titled Libraryland, It’s All About The Story published in 2020 and has appeared in various publications including the New York Times, the NY Daily News, American Libraries, and a host of others. Brandy holds a Doctorate in Business and an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship.

Kathleen Montgomery is the Outreach Manager with Charleston County Public Library. Kathleen's position as Outreach Manager allows her to serve the public in new and exciting ways, and to advocate for all of the underserved communities in Charleston. Kathleen loves collaborating with local organizations to build lasting partnerships and working to help the community thrive.

Lisa Oldoski is a collection development librarian who purchases Young Adult, Nonfiction, and zines, and is the Overdrive Administrator for a 19 branch library system. She has worked in libraries for 25 years, and collection development for 20. Though much of her work life is dedicated to the acquisition and promotion of ebooks, her personal life is dedicated to books made of paper.

Suzi Perez is the TechCentral Manager at Cleveland Public Library. As a transplant to Cleveland, OH, she has spent the last 10 years working to increase digital literacy and bridge the digital divide in the greater Cleveland area. She is dedicated to helping people become their best selves by ensuring exposure and access to digital technologies.

Morgan Perry is the Business Outreach Specialist for the Mid-Continent Public Library and coordinates the Square One team. A founding member of the Square One Small Business Services, Morgan has dedicated her career to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs. She spends the majority of her time making connections between the Library and resource partners across the Kansas City Metro, as well as developing innovative new programming and events. Her passion is taking the Library out of the branch and right into the heart of the business community. Morgan’s work with food businesses has been featured in two different books, Kansas City Food Trucks: Stories & Recipes and the American Library Association publication ‘Round the Table: Food Literacy Program, Resources, and Ideas for Libraries. She is also a board member for The Toolbox focusing on language access in business education and The Prospect KC focusing on workforce development and access in the food industry. She is currently a student in the MLS program at Emporia State University.

Jennie Pu is the new Director of Hoboken Public Library. As well as directing the Library's traditional customer-focused operations, she oversees its restoration of full services post-COVID and shepherding the Library’s renovation of its historic main building, a process that is well underway. She most recently served as Dean of College Libraries at Hudson County Community College, where under her leadership she expanded digital services, programs and access, and won a half million dollars in grant funding for college-wide diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Tiffany Russell, LMSW is a licensed clinical social worker. She received her BSW & MSW from Western Michigan University. She has been in the social work field for 17 years. Tiffany has experience in community mental health  and is a trailblazer in the emerging field of library social work. She has conducted trainings for library staff, facilitated workshops and participated in several webinars for libraries across the country. Tiffany was the recipient of the Field Instructor of the Year award for Western Michigan University’s School of Social Work – Southwest Campus in 2019. Additionally, she is a part-time instructor for Western Michigan University’s School of Social Work. She resides in Southwest Michigan with her spouse, children, and chocolate lab.

Saved from a stroke by telehealth, Craig Settles pays it forward by uniting community broadband teams and healthcare stakeholders through telehealth projects that transform healthcare delivery. He views telehealth as the “Killer App” that can close the digital divide because everyone experiences illness or cares for someone who is ill. Prior to his works with broadband, Mr. Settles assisted high tech companies with marketing and PR for 20 years.

Lauren Stara is a registered architect and a professional librarian, specializing in library building design. Her library experience includes everything from front desk clerk to director, university lecturer, and consultant across the US and Canada. She is a WELL^TM Accredited Professional and the coauthor of Responding to Rapid Change in Libraries: A User Experience Approach (ALA Editions, 2020).

Allison Waukau (Menominee/Navajo) resides in Minneapolis and works in community outreach. Allison currently is a Member at Large with the American Indian Library Association and one of Library Journal’s 2021 Movers & Shakers. Allison’s professional interests include exploring library land acknowledgement practices, developing community-led library programs, and elevating the voices and perspectives of her Native community and colleagues near and far.

Wendy Bartlett joined Cuyahoga County Public Library in 2009 as the manager for the Beachwood branch, where she streamlined the collection and implemented 24-Door-to-Floor workflow for shelving returned materials. In 2011, she became the Fiction Buyer for the CCPL system, working with both author events and merchandising. In 2012, she became the Collection Development Manager, centralizing selection for the system and launching a floating collection. Wendy has several publications to her credit, including Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success. She is a member of Library Journal’s Review Advisory Committee for 2021.

Matt Enis, Senior Editor, Technology, Library Journal

Elizabeth Kobert is an archivist and contributing writer at Library Journal living in New York City. She studied history at UPenn and library science at Pratt Institute, and enjoys yoga, art museums, and embroidery.

Kiera Parrott is the Director of Darien Library (CT), a Library Journal 5 Star Library. Before taking on her current role in September 2020, Parrott served as the Reviews and Production Director for Library Journal and School Library Journal, where she oversaw the publication of over 12,000 book and media reviews annually and launched and expanded numerous professional development events and training courses for library professionals nationwide. Kiera’s been a proud library worker since her teen years, working as a page for the Queensborough Public Library in high school, as a reference assistant at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst during college, and as a senior librarian for the New York Public Library. She previously worked at Darien Library from 2008–2013 as a children’s/collection development librarian and as Head of Children’s Services. She lives in Norwalk with her husband (also a librarian) and their two cats. 

Lisa Peet, News Editor, Library Journal

Veronda J. Pitchford is the Assistant Director of the Califa Group, a nonprofit library membership consortium representing 230 libraries in California committed to unleashing the impact of libraries. As part of her role, she serves as a strategic partner for several national grant projects and manages Infopeople, Califa’s national training that delivers online learning for library people. She is an active American Library Association (ALA) member and currently serves on the ALA Business Advisory group, the United for Libraries board and ALA’s Center for the Future of Libraries Advisory Group.  Most recently she wrote an IMLS funded grant entitled Libraries As Second Responders designed to build recorded training modules and microlearnings to support library staff in gaining skills to serve COVID impacted BIPOC communities. She was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2005 and was awarded the 2018 American Library Association Cathleen Bourdon Service Award for her outstanding service and sustained library leadership in advocacy for expanding ebook access for libraries to better meet community reading and learning needs. She has a master’s degree in library and information science from North Carolina Central University, a historically black college in Durham, North Carolina, and an undergraduate degree in public relations from Central Michigan University.

Meredith Schwartz, Editor-in-Chief, Library Journal