Erica Freudenberger is a promiscuous collaborator and innovator who works with libraries and communities to build the world as they dream it. An avid community engagement practitioner, she was an advisor to the Aspen Institute’s Re-envisioning Public Libraries pilot (2015). In 2016, she was named a Mover & Shaker by Library Journal for her work as a community builder. She was awarded the Public Library Association’s Library Innovation Award (2019) for the Southern Adirondack Library System’s Farm-2-Library initiative. She serves as an advisor to OF/BY/FOR/ALL, as well as the American Library Association’s Libraries Transform Communities: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries. In her free time, she collaborates with the fantastic Thriving Libraries team to create bold, joyful, and experiential learning opportunities.
Susan Hildreth is a library consultant based in Walnut Creek, CA. She served as the fellow with the Aspen Institute’s Dialogue on Public Libraries and was recently Treasurer of the American Library Association. She was the inaugural Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at the University of Washington iSchool and led the Institute of Museum and Library Services from 2011 through 2015. Hildreth held library leadership positions including California State Librarian and City Librarian for the Seattle and San Francisco Public Libraries. Susan is committed to community engagement as a key priority for the successful future of public libraries.
Beck is a PhD student at the University of Washington Information School. She researches how the design of public and digital spaces cultivates restorative and contemplative experiences. Beck has worked with libraries across the country and in her own community, helping library workers to connect with others through compassion and friendship, improve the quality of their lives through greater awareness of life as they’re living it, and cope with the distractions of digital culture. She writes about these things and more on her website.
Marsha Tonkins works in US Medical Affairs in the Oncology Business Unit at AstraZeneca. Prior to this, she spent 24 years in New York City where she worked as a Social Worker, an academic administrator and finally in the fashion industry. Her longest stint was 14 years with Tim Gunn, TV and movie personality and author. She was the Assistant Chair of Advising in the Fashion Design department at Parsons School of Design under Gunn’s direction and moved with him to Liz Claiborne in 2007 as his Creative Office Administrator until the parent company disbanded in 2014. At that time, she returned to Maryland, where she was born and raised, with her son Max.
While at AstraZeneca, she has won several awards and recently completed project management coursework in pursuit of PMP certification. She is passionate about Inclusion & Diversity work and has completed the certificate program in Inclusion and Diversity at Cornell University.
Dianne Winter has held financial management positions for government entities and nonprofits for over a decade. Currently the Bursar at Union College in Schenectady, New York, she oversees the college’s accounts receivable, with a primary focus on student accounts. Previous financial management positions include Finance & Administration Manager for the Southern Adirondack Library System, and Associate Director positions with Caffe Lena and Salem Art Works. Dianne transitioned into working directly for the nonprofit sector by acquiring her Masters in Arts Management after four years in the performance reporting department of Cambridge Associates, an investment consulting firm for nonprofits.
Robert Drake is a data analyst, IT guy, and project manager with 13 years experience in the
library industry. He has an MBA from SUNY New Paltz, is a certified Project Management
Professional, and, when time allows, hikes all the things.
Hello! I’m Jack, a librarian and archivist with a passion for user-focused website design. I blend my expertise in library science and digital technologies to create intuitive platforms that enhance information discovery and accessibility. Let’s collaborate on building user-centric websites that empower and inspire!