Jennifer Steele has served the young people and communities of Chicago for nearly 20 years through her work in education, nonprofit leadership, and partnership with community organizations and cultural institutions across Chicago to ensure that young people have access to opportunities and experiences that allow them to be dreamers and change-makers. She most recently served as the Executive Director of 826CHI, a youth writing and publishing organization. She previously served with Digital Youth Network and Chicago Public Library’s Teen Services in both the establishment and expansion of its YOUmedia program along with leadership of other partnership programs including founding the ChiTeen Lit Fest, a two-day storytelling festival for-teens-by-teens and coaching Youmedia’s Rooted and Radical Youth Poetry Slam team. Her work has included education and program strategy, design, and implementation which has brought her so much joy in having the opportunity to be a part of the bright and bold journeys of many of Chicago’s young people. She has had the honor of working with and presenting for other local, national, and international educators through the Chicago Learning Exchange, YOUmedia Network, Mozilla Festival, and National Endowment for the Arts.

Vashti is passionate about mission-driven work and the finances and resources that make it all happen! Vashti has over a decade of nonprofit management experience in education, fundraising, and finance at various Chicago organizations including Emerald City Theatre, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, and Lifeline Theatre. Vashti studied theatre, history, and environmental studies at Williams College and received her M.B.A. from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University with concentrations in Applied Economics and Leadership and Change Management. Vashti is an avid reader, sports enthusiast, gardener, and budding baker.

Alison grew up in the west suburbs of Chicago, after which she attended Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN where she graduated with a BA in History and an ultimate frisbee obsession. Shortly after, she made her way back home to Chicago to serve as a college access coach at Bowen High School for two years before joining the Open Books team in 2017. Since then, Alison has expanded her role to oversee Open Books' fundraising and communications efforts, including individual giving, corporate engagement, marketing, and institutional grants, as well as direct volunteer engagement across Open Books' programs and retail operations. She has served as the organization's Associate Board liaison since 2018, managing special events and supporting young professional leaders in their efforts to drive awareness and funding to Open Books' mission.

Chelsea Ridley is a leader in community engaged practice in art and non-profits and has worked at organizations such as Chicago Cares, the DuSable Museum, and Mikva Challenge. In 2020, she joined the Open Books team as the Project Director for the North Lawndale Reads program and now serves as the Director of Community Engagement. Outside of her work at Open Books, Chelsea is also the co-founder of the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, a community museum in a shipping container. Chelsea holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Russian Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Masters Degree in Museum and Exhibition Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she was awarded the MUSE Social Justice Award. Chelsea was also a Civic Leadership Academy Fellow at the University of Chicago in 2023.

Paula Santos is an arts and culture leader and educator who has devoted the last 15 years of her career to making non-profits, museums, and other cultural organizations more equitable. She has worked at major cultural institutions in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, including Brooklyn Museum, the Whitney, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Most recently she was Senior Manager of Learning and Engagement at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. Paula is also a founding member of the Museum Workers Relief Fund, a mutual aid fund that has raised over $120,000 for museum workers adversely affected by Covid-19.

Deirdre is a Chicago native who spent over a decade teaching in Chicago Public Schools after graduating from Loyola University. Working with educational programs for years showed her the impact educators can have outside of the classroom, and she strives to design effective programs that empower children to see themselves as readers and assist teachers and families in the journey of teaching children to read. She earned her MA in Community and Teacher Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University, engaging in research on diversity (and lack thereof) in children’s literature. Her free time consists of crafting, slowly tackling her massive TBR, watching a select few shows on repeat, and being surrounded by too many cats.

Valeria was born and raised in Pilsen, she grew up volunteering and working in the Community of as a mentor and coordinator assistant. She obtained an Associate in Arts degree from Chicago Community Colleges in 2015. While initially continuing school to pursue a career in music education she was able to reconnect with her passion for books and graduated with a Bachelors degree in English Literature from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2018. Since then she continues to nurture her love of music, by sharing videos of herself singing on her Ukulele, and working on her goals which are to make a difference in her community and to finish writing her very first Latino Science Fiction novel.

Riley’s journey with Open Books began as an English-Creative Writing undergraduate student at DePaul University. She ran Reading Buddies sites as a student intern, before returning to the organization years later post-graduation in the Literacy Program Coordinator role. It is with joy and a passion for reading, writing, and working with young people that Riley returns to Reading Buddies, youth programming, and the Open Books team. Between her Open Books journey, Riley previously worked in youth library services and became a yoga teacher. Besides programming here, Riley encourages everyone to eat their dark leafy greens, continues to teach yoga classes, and is rarely seen not in the color lavender.

Tate Broberg, originally from the Black Hills of South Dakota, joined Open Books in 2023. Tate possesses a strong focus on inclusive education and youth engagement. With a background in Youth Mentorship and After-school Education from her time working at RCITY Community Development Center in Humboldt Park, she thoroughly enjoys packing boxes of free books for educators in southwest Chicago. First joining Open Books as a Warehouse Coordinator, she now oversees Classroom Granting, curating inventory from book donations, and committing her energy towards improving DEAI initiatives and inclusive representation. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing poetry and music, supporting queer and trans artists, and exploring the cutest of vintage stores.

Audrey studied Public Administration at Florida International University and spent several years as a Library Specialist in South Florida, followed by work in Project and Marketing Management for a trade media magazine before moving to Chicago to continue a career in community-centered work. After a time substitute teaching and volunteering across the city, Audrey joined Open Books as Book Access Manager in December, 2023 and connects educators, organizations and individuals to free, diverse and high interest books. You might spot her covered in book dust at Open Books Pilsen, or out in the wild at a poetry reading, movie theater, or nature preserve.

Britton Farrell (she/her) is a graduate of the Masters of Arts Administration and Policy program at School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a multidisciplinary visual artist and has completed her Bachelors in Art with double minors in African American Studies and Art History from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Her work has been featured in person and virtually in cities across the country. As an arts administrator, she has held roles and responsibilities in the art and culture sector through development and marketing, outreach and programs, and community and social activism. She is a self-titled blerd who enjoys anime, contemporary art, and cooking videos.

As a lifelong resident of North Lawndale, Pam is deeply committed to fostering literacy and community engagement in my neighborhood. Pam serves as the North Lawndale Reads Coordinator on the Community Engagement Team at Open Books, where she works to expand access to books and literacy resources. Her responsibilities include identifying new business partners for our Book Nook program, recruiting home daycares for our Residency program, maintaining Little Free Libraries throughout the community, and distributing free books at various events. Additionally, Pam leads a book club for North Lawndale residents, creating a space for meaningful discussions and a shared love of reading. With extensive hands-on experience in community engagement, Pam has dedicated her career to building meaningful relationships, fostering collaboration, and driving positive change. Pam has successfully led initiatives that connect diverse groups, facilitate important conversations, and create impactful programs that address community needs. Her ability to engage stakeholders, organize events, and advocate for community-driven solutions has allowed her to make a lasting difference. Passionate about inclusivity and empowerment, Pam thrives in creating spaces where people feel heard, valued, and inspired to take action. Beyond her work, Pam enjoys connecting with friends and hosting a weekly game night.

Pati is a well traveled but ultimately lifelong Chicagoan, sports fan/retired athlete, self-proclaimed bookworm and nature enthusiast. She graduated virtually from DePaul University with a BA in Community Psychology and a minor in Latin American Studies. Prior to Open Books Pati held various positions in healthcare and research, she has well over a decade of experience working with vulnerable populations. After experiencing intense burn out she decided to take the leap out of healthcare and applied to Open Books (her nervous system is still recovering *laughing but very serious*).

Pati es una viajera, pero Chicago definitivamente tiene su corazón. Ella es una fanática de los deportes y deportista retirada, autoproclamada aficionada a los libros y le encanta la naturaleza. Se graduó virtualmente de la Universidad DePaul con una licenciatura en Psicología Comunitaria y una especialización en Estudios Latinoamericanos. Antes de Open Books, Pati ocupó varios puestos en el ámbito de la atención médica y la investigación; tiene más de una década de experiencia trabajando con poblaciones vulnerables. Después de experimentar un agotamiento intenso, decidió dar el salto a la atención médica y se postuló para Open Books (su sistema nervioso todavía está recuperando *se ríe, pero muy seria*)

Chris was born in Denver, but grew up outside of Detroit. After living in Ann Arbor while completing his BS in philosophy (with a minor in literature) at Eastern Michigan University, he moved to Chicago in the fall of 2001. His life in the book business began with part-time work while in college and has continued to this day, almost uninterrupted. When not managing the Pilsen store and warehouse, he can be found running tables at a nearby pool hall or futilely trying to catch up on all of the books that he's intended to get to over the last 25 years.

Jeremy started his career at Open Books in 2012 as a volunteer at the Open Books Store at its orginal location in River North. He became a staff member in 2015 and has since worked at the warehouse in Pilsen. He is thrilled to have a job where he can spend his days with books and forward the cause of literacy. When he is not at work he is either reading science fiction or spending time with his family, including his dog Empanada.

Jermaine painter and poet from the south side of Chicago. He is a former journalist and veteran of the United States Navy. In his free time he really likes to read and spend time near the lake.

Marlo has been with Open Books since 2019. As the Logistics Lead, she schedules and coordinates our free pickup service that picks up books across the city and beyond, as well as collaborates to hold book drives with businesses, individuals, and schools. She earned her MFA in Studio Art in 2018 and has lots of excitement for art of all kinds, as well as literary fiction. In winter 2024 she initiated and produced Open Books' holiday giveaway of 100's of handmade miniature books at the retail locations.

Joey fell in love with Open Books shortly after moving to Chicago in 2019, stopping by once a week every week until his now-manager told him he might as well just apply to work there. He interviewed to be a bookseller on the morning of his 24th birthday, and got the job the very next day. Four years later, he's still slinging books with a smile and pushing his deranged staff picks on unsuspecting customers. When he's not busy selling books, he can usually be found sleeping through a movie at the Music Box Theater or Regal City North.

Having worked in logistics at the edges of retail for some time, Peter's heartstrings were tugged by the stacks of books and buzzing about at Open Books' Pilsen warehouse when he first donated books there in 2015. Peter soon began volunteering there and at the West Loop store, eventually accepting a part-time bookseller position in early 2021, and have been happily doing all the things the team has to and get to do with books and customers outside and inside the organization ever since. Peter and his partner have all the cats, and he likes to make stuff, go to the movies, and read fiction again now that his coworkers have got through to him that it's not just so much fluff.

Kelsey moved to Chicago in 2017 after completing a Master’s in Psychology. Once out of school, they were able to (finally) prioritize reading for fun while also working in the service industry. She started volunteering at Open Books in 2019 and was happy to officially transition to the bookselling team in 2020, supporting access to books and literacy programs in Chicago.