Brooks serves as President and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council, an outcomes-driven research and innovations network of more than 175 leading North American public libraries. Under his leadership, ULC champions the future of public libraries by engaging and uplifting members, focusing intently on equity and inclusion and leading on core policy issues that drive our communities forward. Throughout his career, Brooks has worked to advance urban policies that expand local democracy and provide funding for local programs related to economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and sustainability. Prior to joining ULC in July 2022, Brooks served as Senior Executive & Director, Center for City Solutions at the National League of Cities where he drove the organization’s research agenda and oversaw technical assistance efforts and leadership education. Brooks holds a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sonia Alcántara-Antoine is the CEO of Baltimore County Public Library, overseeing 19 branches, 550 staff, and a $51 million budget. Named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women and a 2023 Leader in Diversity by the Baltimore Business Journal, she serves as past president of the Public Library Association. Sonia is an advocate for intellectual freedom and was critical to the passage of Maryland's Freedom to Read Act in 2024. Previously, she directed Newport News Public Library and held leadership roles at Virginia Beach Public Library and Enoch Pratt Free Library. An ALA Spectrum Scholar, Sonia holds master's degrees in library science from Florida State University and Public Administration from Old Dominion University. She is a renowned speaker and thought leader of the art and science of library leadership, actively shaping the profession for today and tomorrow.

Meredith Ash is the Community Engagement Librarian for the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Born and raised in Iowa, she moved to California to become an archivist; to Louisiana to become a children’s librarian; and back to Iowa to become a programming librarian for all ages. She currently works with patrons to reserve space within the library, to take the library into the community, to learn about the people around her and to create connections within the community.

As Chief Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of Ottawa Public Library (OPL), North America's largest bilingual (English/French) public library, Sonia provides strategic leadership and practical guidance to all OPL's departments, programs, and services. A deeply engaged leader and librarian who has worked in all areas of the profession throughout her career of nearly 25 years, OPL benefits from her thoughtful management style and her broad executive leadership experience, including more than a decade at the Library of Parliament (LOP), where she was responsible for all aspects of collection management, information management, and branch services. In addition, Sonia was responsible for the execution of the redesign of the LOP offsite collection facility and the collection move, which decanted the historic Main Library Building to support the Parliament of Canada Centre Block restoration. Sonia holds a Master of Library and Information Science and a Bachelor of Arts in English/English Literature from Western University and a Master of Arts in English/English Literature from University of Waterloo. She is fluently bilingual. Serving more than one million residents, OPL helps to build community and transform lives through its mission to inspire learning, spark curiosity, and connect people. Sonia leads significant initiatives across OPL's 34 physical and virtual branches and spearheads OPL's collaboration with Library and Archives Canada on Ādisōke, a joint landmark library facility and landmark city project that will welcome both Ottawa residents and visitors from around the world. Sonia represents OPL on several sector-specific associations and committees including Canadian Urban Libraries Council, Urban Libraries Council, and Chief Executives of Large Urban Public Libraries.

Scott Bernier has been serving libraries for nearly 30 years. He led the global Marketing team for EBSCO Information Services for more than two decades, before moving into his current role of Vice President of Library & Government Relations. He is dedicated to extending the reach and value of libraries through advocacy, strategic corporate initiatives and community collaboration. Scott is currently working toward his MLIS at Simmons University.

Will Bohlen stands at the intersection of strategic communications, Washington influence, and local, national, and international media. His distinguished career spans journalism, in-house organizational leadership, and high-impact C-suite public relations consulting, a unique mix that has made him a sought-after advisor for organizations navigating complex communications challenges. As a consultant for more than a decade, he has helped clients communicate through crises, leadership transitions and external scrutiny to project newfound organizational strength. The former head of communications for the German Marshall Fund (GMF), Bohlen led strategic communications for a 150-person international policy institute with a presence across eight countries. During his near-decade tenure between Brussels and Washington, D.C., he developed an ability to navigate and message across a range of political contexts. Bohlen’s policy communications career is built on a journalistic foundation, including work as chief researcher for Politico co-founder John F. Harris’s The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House, as a reporter for The Chicago Tribune and as a freelance writer for outlets including The Washington Post, Slate, The Boston Globe and Chicago Tribune.

Since 2018, Paula Brehm-Heeger has served as the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library. She oversees, 40 public library branches, a Downtown Main Library, and a Distribution Center, and approximately 850 staff members serving a community of more than 800,000 people. She is responsible for the oversight of CHPL’s ambitious Facility Master Plan. Paula has worked in public libraries for nearly 35 years. Prior to returning to her hometown of Cincinnati, she worked for the Indianapolis Public Library, Anderson (IN) Public Library and the Kansas City (MO) Public Library. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, she also holds an M.L.S. from Indiana University and an M.P.A. from Northern Kentucky University, where she was named the Distinguished MPA graduate for the 2016 program and the Outstanding student by the Association for Public Administrators - Greater Cincinnati Area Chapter. In 2023, Paula was named the Distinguished MPA Alumna by NKU. She is a past recipient of the Urban Library Council's Joey Rodger Leadership Award and in 2023, was named by Government Technology as one of their national Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers.

Nate Coulter, an Arkansas native, graduated from college and law school at Harvard University and earned a master's degree in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. He practiced and taught law for over twenty-five years before becoming the executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) in 2016. CALS is a fifteen-branch system serving about 11 percent of the state’s population, primarily in the state’s capital city, Little Rock. As a part of Coulter’s vision, CALS has expanded its community outreach staff dedicated to strengthening the library’s service to Black and Latino communities, hired three full-time social workers to assist patrons and support public service staff, opened a hub to assist under-resourced entrepreneurs, launched a one-on-one K–12 math tutoring program, introduced a digital library card for over 57,000 local elementary and secondary students connecting them to the library's online educational resources, and established Be Mighty Little Rock that has enabled the serving of over fifty thousands of meals and after school snacks to children and teens from CALS' libraries. Under Coulter's guidance, CALS won approval from over two out of three voters in a pair of 2021 and 2022 millage elections that secured the financial foundation of the library and enabled a $30 million renovation of the main library. During Coulter’s tenure, CALS won the prestigious Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize (2021) and secured a federal court preliminary injunction (2023) blocking implementation of Arkansas’ book ban law. Coulter and his wife, Nathalie, a public elementary school administrator, enjoy travelling and hiking. They have four adult children now living in four different states, and Theo, a ten-year-old rescue pup.

Joey Crawford is a Senior Media Consultant with Cox Media Group and CMG Health Marketing in Miami. For the past nineteen years he’s worked with Cox Media Group in their Atlanta and Miami offices overseeing broadcast and digital marketing strategies for brands such as Walt Disney World, Nissan Motor Company, McDonalds, and AT&T. He currently serves as Chair for the Board of Directors of the Broward Public Library Foundation which supports the Broward County Library Division's 38 locations. In his role with the board, he provides advice on fundraising initiatives, grantmaking, endowment investment, membership expansion, and program funding. While he works in advertising and marketing, Joey’s mission is to help his clients solve their ongoing business challenges. Joey has a degree in International Relations/French from The Johns Hopkins University.

Leander Croker is the Deputy Director of Public Services and Strategic Initiatives at Greensboro Public Library. Since beginning her library career in 2007, she has been a dedicated advocate for the essential role that librarians and library workers play in bridging the gap between knowledge and resources within communities. Before joining Greensboro Public Library, Leander spent five years at Durham County Library, where she specialized in integrating library services with entrepreneurial support. She holds an undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Her leadership is deeply rooted in her belief in the transformative power of libraries and the professionals who ensure they are accessible to all.

Shelli J. Golson-Mickens, MPH, is a researcher, evaluator, and racial justice advocate with over 15 years of experience. She is the Founder and Principal Evaluator of Golstone Evaluation Consulting, where she leads projects that center cultural responsiveness, equity, appreciation and utility. Shelli has worked with organizations including the American Library Association, Urban Libraries Council, University of South Carolina, and the Consortium of Research and Academic Libraries, supporting efforts to build evaluation capacity and use data as a tool for social change. Her work is deeply informed by her lived experience and a commitment to challenging systems that have historically excluded or misrepresented communities of color. She approaches evaluation as a collaborative, context-driven practice that amplifies community voice, disrupts extractive data practices, and prioritizes justice. In her free time, Shelli enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and just relaxing with her husband, Josh, and her three children, Brian, Rianne, and Soleil.

Shamichael is a social, civic and tech innovator. As a '23 Loeb Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, he explored how urban design and planning can make for socially inclusive cities. He has served as the Senior Library Manager with Memphis Public Libraries where he guided the reimagining of the historic Cossitt Library. His 2020 TEDx talk "Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community" garnered international acclaim. In 2021 he co-founded Libraries as Bridges which focuses on evaluating how libraries build social cohesion, promote civic renewal and advance the ideals of a healthy democracy. Shamichael is the author of "Meet Me at the Library: A Place to Foster Social Connection and Promote Democracy."

Michelle strengthens the urban library role in local ecosystems and advances partnerships and programs resulting in systemic change. She is known and respected throughout public libraries for her leadership to diversify the profession, to serve marginalized communities and to increase racial and social equity. Prior to joining ULC, Michelle served as Prince George's County Memorial Library System's chief operating officer and led the mission, vision, innovation and operations of the library's 19 branches and the county detention center.

Jason Kucsma’s nearly 20 years of leadership in libraries comes after nearly a decade leading a nonprofit independent media organization and publishing an internationally distributed politics and culture magazine while living in northwest Ohio. Kucsma is a born-and-raised Ohioan who earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication and master’s degree in American Culture Studies at Bowling Green State University. He earned his master’s degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Arizona before moving to New York City to work with public, academic, school, and special libraries as Executive Director of the Metropolitan New York Library Council. Kucsma returned to Ohio in 2015 to assume the role of Deputy Director at Toledo Lucas County Public Library. He was appointed Executive Director in August 2019, where he helms a leadership team and staff of nearly 400 employees providing world-class library services to the diverse communities of Lucas County—earning the system the National Medal Award for Library Services in 2023. His work in libraries is informed and driven by his dedication to the role public libraries play in building strong communities through equitable access to information and technology—and the expertise library staff bring to help navigate both.

Tommi Laitio is an internationally recognized leader and expert on public life, cities and public innovation. Tommi’s advisory and consultancy builds on his background as a city executive and a researcher. Tommi was the City of Helsinki’s first Executive Director for Culture and Leisure where he led a team of 1,800 professionals delivering over 20 million annual arts and culture, sports, public library and youth work experiences. Based on his innovative leadership, he was appointed as the inaugural Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow at Johns Hopkins University where his international research focused on the partnership capabilities of local governments in creating public spaces.

Mitch Landrieu is a public servant, lawyer, author, and nonprofit leader. Landrieu most recently served as a senior advisor to President Biden and the Infrastructure Coordinator at the White House, responsible for the implementation of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In that role, he oversaw the most significant and comprehensive investments in American infrastructure in generations that led to over 40,000 new projects in two years encompassing roads, bridges, rail, ports, airports, transit, clean water, clean energy and high-speed internet. A former two-term mayor of New Orleans, Landrieu led the recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. He also led the removal of four Confederate monuments, for which he received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. Prior to his terms as mayor, Landrieu served two terms as lieutenant governor of Louisiana and 16 years as a state legislator.

Landrieu is also the founder of E Pluribus Unum, which collaborates with leaders and communities across the American South, providing tools and support to bridge divides and foster connections across differences. Landrieu penned a New York Times bestseller, In the Shadow of Statues: A White Southerner Confronts History, in which he recounts his personal journey confronting the issue of race and institutional racism that still plagues America. A past president of the US Conference of Mayors, he was named the 2015 Governing Magazine Public Official of the Year. He currently serves as co-chair of American Bridge 21st Century. He and his wife Cheryl live in New Orleans, where they raised their five children.

Brian Lawrence is the Chief Executive Officer of The Seattle Public Library Foundation. He was named CEO in 2024 after serving as the Foundation’s Deputy Executive Director since 2017. Brian has spearheaded the Foundation’s fundraising campaigns, overseen key investments to grow library programs and collections, and strengthened partnerships with library staff and community organizations. He has played leadership roles in national library initiatives, including the Books Unbanned program. Brian grew up in Michigan and worked in the auto racing industry before moving to Seattle. He obtained a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University and has worked for organizations including the Pacific Science Center, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and The Mockingbird Society. Brian lives in West Seattle, serves on the Seattle University Alumni Council, and enjoys reading (of course!) and recreating in the North Cascades.

Bridget A. Marquis is the director of Reimagining the Civic Commons, a national initiative transforming public places to foster engagement, equity, environmental sustainability and economic development in cities. She manages the national Civic Commons Learning Network, housed at U3 Advisors, providing coordinated learning, impact assessment and storytelling across eleven U.S. communities. Prior to leading Reimagining the Civic Commons, Bridget served as program director during the start-up phase of ArtPlace America, where she developed and executed grantmaking strategies to inform and accelerate the field of creative placemaking. She is a frequent speaker and author on reimagining public space as critical civic infrastructure for equitable and resilient cities.

Sarah Meilleur is the CEO of Calgary Public Library. She is a recognized speaker at international conferences, has authored numerous journal articles, and has lectured at Harvard University on library design. She also led the design thinking, completion and launch of Calgary's award winning new Central Library. Sarah believes in supporting the community through volunteering and has served as the vice-chair for the Calgary Heritage Authority, on the Cultural Leadership Council and the Social Wellbeing Advisory Committee. She received Avenue Magazine's Top 40 under 40 award in 2011 and was a recipient of Queen Elizabeth ll's Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for outstanding service to family, community, and country. Sarah is passionate about how public libraries transform lives, and she works to foster curiosity, innovation, belonging, and fantastic visitor experiences.

Steve Powell serves as the Library Director and CEO of the Orange County Library System in Orlando, Florida. Under his leadership, OCLS has become a more user-friendly, accessible, and welcoming place for everyone. He fosters a workplace culture that makes the library a great place to work, while advancing strategic initiatives that support lifelong learning, strengthen partnerships, and expand access.

Jennie Pu is the director of Hoboken Public Library (NJ) and New Jersey Library Association 2024 Librarian of the Year. Named the top honoree of NJBIZ’s Education Power 50, a Library Journal Mover and Shaker, she is the recipient of American Library Association's DiMattia Award for Innovation and Service. Since 2021, she has transformed the library into a vibrant community hub by abolishing late fines, hiring the city’s first social worker, and directing an award-winning historic restoration of the main library. Under her leadership, Hoboken became New Jersey’s first book sanctuary, inspiring 35 other libraries and 4 municipalities to follow statewide. She co-chairs the New Jersey Library Association Public Policy Committee, advocating for the state’s Freedom to Read Act. Jennie serves on the board of Urban Libraries Council and the American Library Association Policy Corps’ Unite Against Book Bans.

Genive Purchase currently serves as one of the Deputy Chiefs for the Central location of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, which is also the State Library Resource Center. In the scope of this position she is responsible for one half of the front-line public service departments. Genive has worked in Public Libraries for 12 years. For the majority of her career she worked for Queens Public Library where she held several management positions and provided services to patrons of all age ranges. She is also currently serving as the President of the Black Librarians Caucus of MLA.

Marie Pyko is an accomplished Chief Executive Officer at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, where she leads a dedicated team of 66 professionals in enhancing community services and literacy initiatives. With a strong background in library science, she has progressively advanced through various leadership roles within the organization since 1991. Marie's expertise spans across archives, collection development, and strategic communications, positioning her as a thought leader in public library services. Her tenure includes significant contributions to community outreach and adaptive change management, showcasing her commitment to fostering literacy and learning. As the Big Read Chair from 2006 to 2014, she demonstrated her passion for engaging the community through literature. Marie holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Emporia State University and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Wayne State University, which informs her approach to understanding community needs. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration and innovation, making her a pivotal figure in public services.

Kelsey See started her work in public libraries in 2012 as a Children's Library Associate at the Moore Public Library of the Pioneer Library System in Central Oklahoma and eventually the Children's Services Manager. She earned her MLIS from the University of Oklahoma in 2023 and currently serves as the Branch Manager at Norman Public Library East. Kelsey is passionate about creating safe spaces for all, providing engaging opportunities for growth and learning for library staff, and creating meaningful connections and partnerships within the community.

Mi'Jan Celie Tho-Biaz, Ed.D., is a 2019 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist who moves between the realms of oral history, art, ritual, and civic engagement to produce meaningful, forward-facing cultural projects. Mi’Jan was a 2023–2024 Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow at the Huntington Library, where her research with Octavia E. Butler’s archives continues to unfold. In 2023, she served as a Fulbright Specialist in Ecuador, advising Universidad de las Artes on its new curriculum and pedagogical framework design. Previously, Mi’Jan curated and hosted Unfinished Network’s 2022 inaugural salon on the theme of multiracial democracy with CNN’s Van Jones and MSNBC’s Maria Teresa Kumar; designed and led the Gloria Steinem Initiative’s public policy digital storytelling pilot; and held various faculty and scholar appointments at Columbia University, New York University, and the Banff Centre in Canada. One of Mi’Jan’s greatest joys is connecting with audiences through her visionary, story-rich talks at a range of institutions, from Carnegie Hall to the Institute of American Indian Arts to SXSW. Making history contemporary, personal, and futures-dependent, she surfaces the stories that need to be heard.

Roosevelt Weeks is the Library Director of the Fort Bend County Library System. Weeks brings more than two decades of distinguished experience in library leadership, most recently as Library Director at the Austin Public Library system, where he has worked for the past seven years. Prior to that, he served as Deputy Director/Chief of Staff at the Houston Public Library (HPL) system for 11 years. He also served as Chief Technology Officer at HPL. Weeks is passionate about improving technology, literacy, and education in the communities he serves. His goal is to empower individuals with the tools they need to ensure a future workforce capable of the complex critical-thinking skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing competitive environment. Weeks is a highly respected figure in the library community. He has been recognized for his strategic vision, exceptional leadership, and dedication to advancing library programs and services. His contributions to the profession have been acknowledged through numerous awards, including being named Texas Librarian of the Year by the Texas Library Association in 2023, receiving the University of North Texas Outstanding Alumni Award in 2023, and earning the prestigious “I Love My Librarian” national award from the American Library Association in 2016.

Lisa Wells serves as the Executive Director for the Pioneer Library System in central Oklahoma, where her leadership and strategic vision have significantly impacted the library community. Holding an MLIS in Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma, Lisa's expertise and dedication to library services are well-recognized. Her achievements include being named a 2024 Oklahoma Woman of the Year Honoree and a 2022 Most Admired CEO by the Journal Record. She is also a proud graduate of the Urban Libraries Council Executive Leadership Institute, and was awarded the ULC Joey Rogers Leadership Award, highlighting her commitment to innovation and community service. Further demonstrating her influence and contribution to the field, Lisa was recognized as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2008 and is a graduate of Class XXII of Leadership Oklahoma. Her distinguished career and contributions underscore her commitment to enhancing library services and her role as a formidable leader in the community.

Genevievre Wood is a Senior Librarian and Young Adult Coordinator at Richmond Public Library. She previously served as Circulation and Resource Sharing Manager as well as Chair of the Library Outreach Team at Randolph-Macon College and taught middle school English and Creative Writing. She earned her MLIS from Syracuse University, where she received the 2023 Master’s Degree Award: Library and Information Science Program. Genevievre now develops systemwide strategy for young adult services, designing evidence-based programs, building community partnerships, and overseeing teen initiatives that expand opportunities and create inclusive experiences for Richmond’s youth.