Brooks Rainwater serves as President and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council, an outcomes-driven research and innovations network of nearly 200 leading North American public libraries. Under his leadership, ULC champions the future of public libraries by engaging and uplifting members , strengthening the essential role of public libraries as dynamic places for innovation, equity, and opportunity. Rainwater advances the core vision that urban libraries are the key civic anchor institutions that provide critical resources for transforming lives and strengthening communities. Throughout his career, Rainwater has worked to advance urban policies that expand local democracy and provide funding for local programs related to economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, literacy, and equitable growth. He has advised city governments in the US and globally on a range of key urban issues.

Rainwater has published reports and articles on innovative solutions that lead to vibrant and successful places. His primary research interests center on the need to support and bolster democratic institutions, the role libraries play in the age of AI, the importance of third spaces in urban communities, and the economic impact of investing in local entrepreneurs to spur city innovation. Rainwater’s thoughts have been read, heard, and seen on MSNBC, NBC's TODAY Show, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, CNN, NPR, BBC, and the New York Times. He has also contributed writing to Fast Company, Bloomberg, TechCrunch, US News, and Fortune.

Prior to joining ULC in July 2022, Rainwater 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. He 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.

Cordelia Anderson is a library marketing and communications consultant and the author of Library Marketing and Communications: Strategies to Increase Relevance and Results, from ALA Editions. She is a seasoned marketing and communications executive with 20+ years of experience. She is based in Charlotte, NC but has clients around the US and is nationally recognized for her innovative, strategic and results-driven marketing and communications programs. Clients have included public and academic libraries, library associations, local government agencies and nonprofits.

Cordelia is Accredited in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America, which indicates advanced mastery of the knowledge, skills and abilities to practice public relations. She uses this approach to help her clients solve complex marketing and communications challenges so that they can tell their stories and reach their goals. Cordelia is a member of the Library Marketing & Communications Conference board and the advisory board for the UNC Charlotte Atkins Library. She is a past jury member for the John Cotton Dana Awards.

As Chief Executive Officer and Chief Librarian 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. 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 ensures innovative and responsive services across OPL’s 34 physical and virtual branches, and spearheads OPL’s collaboration with the City of Ottawa and Library and Archives Canada on Ādisōke, a joint library facility that will be the home of OPL’s Central branch. This landmark city project 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 (Vice Chair 2025-2027, Chair 2027-2029), Urban Libraries Council, and Chief Executives of Large Urban Public Libraries.

Jaime Cruz is the Executive Director of Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada's Local Workforce Development Board. Under his leadership, the organization has earned national recognition for innovative workforce development initiatives, strengthened employer partnerships, and expanded access to career and training services throughout the region. Prior to entering workforce development, Jaime led sustainability and energy-management initiatives for multiple resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. He is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Sustainable Development Professional, and Certified Public Manager. Jaime serves as a Trustee of the Vegas Chamber and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. He also holds leadership roles with national workforce development organizations, helping advance workforce policy and best practices across the country. A native of Peru, Jaime immigrated to the United States in 1987 and became a naturalized citizen in 1994. He has proudly called Southern Nevada home for almost four decades. His two adult children, Samuel and Sofia, are his greatest pride.

Heidi Daniel is the executive director for King County Library System (KCLS). Her journey began with children and teen programming in Oklahoma City and Houston before transitioning to library administration. Her first Executive Director job was overseeing the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Before joining KCLS, she was the CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore for over six years. She has a strong commitment to breaking down barriers of access, and made the Pratt one of the first public library systems on the East Coast to eliminate fines. Under her leadership, the Pratt was named one of the “Nicest Places in America” by Good Morning America and Reader’s Digest. She also received the Daily Record’s Maryland Most Admired CEOs award in 2023. Daniel is the daughter of a factory worker — her parents, who did not go to college, used the library in her Michigan hometown to impress upon her the importance of education. Daniel earned her bachelor’s degree in women’s studies at DePaul University and her master’s degree in library sciences at Texas Woman’s University.

Marc DeBevoise joined OverDrive in 2026 and is our Chief Executive Officer. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors. As a recognized leader in digital media and streaming technology, Marc brings more than 20 years of experience building and scaling global content and technology platforms.

Prior to joining OverDrive, Marc served as CEO and Board Director of Brightcove and previously held senior leadership roles at Paramount and its predecessors, including Chief Digital Officer of Paramount Global and CEO & President of CBS Interactive, where he helped lead the company's direct-to-consumer streaming strategy and the launches of Paramount+, CBSN, and CBS Sports HQ. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Starz and NBCUniversal and began his career in Technology, Media & Telecommunications investment banking groups at JPMorgan.

Marc serves as a board member for The Door, a nonprofit supporting 10,000+ at-risk youth in New York City and is an Adjunct Professor of Digital Strategy at NYU's Stern School of Business. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern and a BA in Economics and Computer Science from Tufts University.

Scott Duimstra (he/him) has worked in public libraries for over twenty years, with the last twelve years in library administration. Originally from Michigan, he obtained his MSI from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. His work has allowed him to focus on library services, library facility planning, and strategic initiatives. In October 2023, Scott became the library director for Hennepin County Library (HCL), where he directs library operations for HCL’s forty-one libraries.

Jon Elwell serves as Senior Vice President of Books at EBSCO Information Services, leading EBSCO's global books strategy across GOBI, Mosaic, EBSCO eBooks, and partnerships. Beginning his career as a librarian, Jon has spent more than two decades working at the intersection of libraries, publishing, and technology. His focus has been helping institutions build collections that maximize content acquistion while creating sustainable business models for publishers and content providers. Through collaboration with libraries, university presses, and commercial publishers worldwide, Jon advocates for innovative approaches to book acquisition that support the continued creation, distribution, and discovery of scholarly content.

Ann has 20 years of experience in the library industry and currently leads Hoopla's Sales and Customer Support teams. Her expertise, deep understanding of the library space, and ability to respond to changing public library demands have enabled Hoopla's business to evolve and grow to better serve the changing needs of public libraries and their patrons. Today, she focuses on supporting public libraries and their important role in the community, advancing meaningful policy and collection development, DEI initiatives, community programs, workflow enhancements, and online tools and resources that help librarians do their jobs. Ann is also the author of the soon-to-be-released book, Cultivating Belonging in Libraries: A Strategic Approach to Enhance Your Collection.

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.

How do you get a competitive “edge” at work and in life? Star business professor Laura Huang says that we don’t need to change ourselves to get the upper hand: we can simply make the most of who we already are and what we already know. She’s a Distinguished Professor at Northeastern and the Director of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Center, as well as a Harvard professor and the author of Edge and You Already Know. Laura teaches us how to use everything—even our perceived flaws and the systemic biases that hold us back—to our advantage. And she shows us how to train our intuition (that unique blend of external data and personal experience) to make the right decisions and turn obstacles into assets.

Laura Huang is a Professor of Management and Organizational Dynamics. She has held faculty positions at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School, and currently serves as Distinguished Professor and Faculty Director of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative at Northeastern University, and on the board of Wharton Alumni Angels. An electrical engineer by training, Laura's research focuses on 'quantifying the unquantifiable' where she examines the role of intuition and signaling in behavioral interactions and economic decisions. Laura was named one of the top 40 business school professors by Poets and Quants, and was a recipient of the 2020 Cozzarelli Prize given by the National Academy of Sciences. In 2021, she was named to the Global Thinker50 Radar list as one of the top thinkers with the potential to change the world of theory and practice.

Misty is the director for the San Diego Public Library overseeing the Central Library and 35 branches. Previously, she was deputy director for the Central Division which included overseeing the move, opening and operations of the Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common. A graduate of the Master of Library and Information Science program from the University of South Carolina, Misty started her library career at the Greenville County Library in South Carolina. She then worked for nine years at the Charleston County Library where she founded and chaired Libraries Out Loud, a grassroots advocacy program to help restore funding to the library system by promoting libraries to the public as well as legislators and other state elected officials. After moving to San Diego, she joined the California Library Association Legislative and Advocacy Committee. She served as CLA president in 2016 and currently serves on PLA’s Committee for Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships and the Boards of Calix and the Center for Library Leadership and Management at USC.

Sarah Meilleur is the CEO of Calgary Public Library, an award-winning library system with 22 locations, serving over 1.6 million people. She is a recognized speaker at international conferences, has authored numerous journal articles, and lectures at Harvard University on library design. Sarah led the design thinking, completion and launch of Calgary's award winning new Central Library, which has seen over 7 million visitors since opening in November 2018. She received Avenue Magazine's Top 40 under 40 award in 2011, was a recipient of Queen Elizabeth ll's Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for outstanding service to family, community, and country, and received a Blackfoot name of Pookaipiyakii, which translates to Children Dancing Woman, from Blackfoot Elder Miiksika’am in 2023. Sarah is passionate about how public libraries transform lives, and she works to foster curiosity, innovation, belonging, and fantastic visitor experiences.

Carolyn Morris is Vice President of Ingram Library Services, where she leads the library wholesale business connecting publishers and US libraries. Carolyn is an advocate for publisher and library collaboration in promoting books across cultures and formats. Her work centers on practical, data‑led strategies that improve title discoverability and convert this visibility into library circulation and sales. She previously held senior roles at SirsiDynix, BiblioLabs, and Baker & Taylor, and earlier led academic programs at YBP Library Services and Coutts.

Jamar Rahming is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL). Also, Rahming is president-elect of the Public Library Association, the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals across the United States and Canada. Rahming has worked in the library industry for 20 years and has been at the forefront of many innovative initiatives. He most recently served as Executive Director of the Wilmington Institute Free Library in Wilmington, Delaware, an award-winning organization that was recognized with the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ highest honor for institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities; the 2022 John Dana Cotton Public Relations Award, presented by the American Library Association for outstanding effective strategic communications; the 2024 Library Journal Marketer of the Year Award; and recognition by Fodor’s Travel as one of the most beautiful libraries in the nation.

In 2023, Rahming received the Movers & Shakers Community Builders award from Library Journal for his innovative efforts in facilitating some of the most impactful programs the library industry has ever seen. He was named the 2024 CEO of the Year by the Delaware Business Times and is a recipient of the 2025 I Love My Library Award by the American Library Association that recognizes library leaders who go above and beyond for their communities. Rahming has previously served as the Library Director of the Jackson County Library District (Oregon), Regional Library Manager of the Austin Public Library (Texas), and Regional Library Manager of the Charleston County Public Library (South Carolina). Rahming holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History/African Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.

Erica Reynolds is Vice President of Strategic Library Engagement at BiblioCommons, where she focuses on building partnerships and strategic initiatives designed to enhance the online public library experience. A librarian by background, Erica holds a MLS and an MA in English. She has worked in public, academic, and special libraries, but her heart will always be with public libraries. She has been part of the BiblioCommons team since 2011.

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.

Felton Thomas, Jr. is the Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library (CPL), one of the nation’s largest and most respected metropolitan library systems. Under Thomas’ leadership, CPL has embarked on an ambitious 10-year Facilities Master Plan (FMP) to renovate or rebuild all 27 of its libraries, launched groundbreaking initiatives addressing community needs around technology, education and economic development, and is consistently ranked as a "Five Star” library, a prestigious distinction from the Library Journal. A native of Las Vegas, Nevada, Thomas started his library career at age 13 when he became the youngest page in the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. He then served as Branch Manager at West Las Vegas Library, Director of Regional Branch Services for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, and President of the Nevada Library Association before moving to Cleveland, Ohio in 2009.

Throughout his 40-year career in libraries, Thomas has been a recognized leader in the field of library and information science serving as President of the Public Library Association (PLA), Chair of the Board of Directors for the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), and as a Trustee for Lyrasis, a non-profit member organization serving and supporting libraries, archives, museums, and cultural heritage organizations around the world. His contributions earned him the Library Journal’s Mover and Shaker award, the White House Champion for Change award, and the American Library Association’s (ALA) Equality Award. Thomas earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from The University of Nevada-Las Vegas, his Master’s in Library Science from The University of Hawaii, and is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland.

Kelvin Watson is the executive director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, where he oversees 25 branches run by 600+ employees. Kelvin has brought innovative, award-winning leadership to Nevada’s largest library system and his deep experience in fundraising, technology, program development, and demonstrated success in addressing the digital divide, has brought a new era to this library system. Regarded as one of the most highly respected thought leaders in the library industry, Kelvin is credited with expanding his customer base in multiple library management roles, through outreach efforts to underserved and diverse populations. Kelvin joined the Library District from his role as the director of the Broward County Libraries Division, where he managed through 38 locations in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida region. Kelvin earned a BS Degree in Business Administration, with a Minor in Military Science, from Lincoln University (MO). He earned his MLS Degree from North Carolina Central University. Kelvin is also a Life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Beta Phi Mu Honor Society.

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.

Abby Yellman has served as Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas City Public Library since August 2024. A library and public sector leader with more than two decades of experience, she has dedicated her career to strengthening communities through responsive public service, organizational excellence, and equitable access to knowledge. Before joining the Kansas City Public Library, Yellman served as Deputy City and County Manager for the City and County of Broomfield, Colorado. During her tenure with Broomfield, she held several leadership positions, including Director of Library Services and Cultural Affairs, Director of People and Innovation, and Assistant City and County Manager. Her work spanned library administration, organizational development, and local government leadership, giving her broad experience in organizational leadership, civic engagement, and community-focused public service.

Yellman's library career began in the Kansas City region. She worked as a Library Assistant with Mid-Continent Public Library, served as an Assistant Children's Librarian at North Kansas City Public Library, and was a Library Media Specialist for North Kansas City Schools. In 2012, she became Director of the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, a position she held until 2016. She earned a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Graceland University. She has also pursued and is a capstone project away from a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver