PLA Leadership Academy participants announced for Fall 2025

CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) Leadership Development Committee has selected 27 exceptional librarians to participate in the Fall 2025 PLA Leadership Academy, which will be held Nov. 3-7 in Chicago, Ill. The PLA Leadership Academy’s participants will take part in interactive workshops that aim to build systems of personal and organizational resiliency, form a long-term, sustainable coaching network, and learn how to apply these takeaways in the context of their library and community.

“Our profession is evolving rapidly and navigating an era of uncertainty,” says PLA Past President Sonia Alcantara-Antoine and Leadership Academy coach for 2025. “Now more than ever, libraries need strong, adaptable leaders who can guide their organizations through change, innovation, and complexity. PLA is deeply committed to developing the next generation of library leaders. The PLA Leadership Academy will serve as a vital talent pipeline, preparing emerging leaders to meet the challenges of today—and shape the future of our field.”

We’re excited to announce that the 2025 PLA Leadership fellows are:

• Stacey Akahoshi, Library Branch Coordinator III in Mesa, AZ
• Jillian Aschliman, Library Director in Bettendorf, IA
• Sherri Baca, Executive Director in Pueblo, CO
• Rose Baiza, Community Librarian in Los Altos, CA
• Allison Barney, Youth Services Manager in Denver, CO
• Omar Chapman, Director in Bessemer, AL
• Evan Coates, Adult Services Assistant Manager in Rolling Hills Estate, CA
• Alicemarie "AM" Dillon, Grants Dev Coordinator in Leonardtown, MD
• Jolie Duncan, Info Services Manager in Arlington Heights, IL
• Delia Francis Galan, User Experience Library Division Manager in Burbank, CA
• Susan Fulcher, Youth Services Manager in Matteson, IL
• Teryn Gilliam, Branch Group Admin in Atlanta, GA
• Hillarie Kuhn, Regional Coordinator/Branch Manager in Norman, OK
• Jamie Kurumaji, Supervising Librarian in Fresno, CA
• Christopher Larsen, Library Services Manager in Richmond, CA
• Heather Lowe, Assistant Director, Tech & Strategic Direction in Dallas, TX
• Victoria Luz, Assistant Director in Niles, IL
• Nina Martin, Library Manager in Plano, TX
• Tim McClelland, Public Services Department Manager in Boulder, CO, CO
• Jaime McDowell, Branch Services Manager in Asheville, NC
• Annabelle Mortensen, Director of Access Services in Skokie, IL
• Sarah Nelsen, Administrator in Portland, OR
• Whitney Nelson, Library Youth Services Manager in Mooresville, NC
• Allyson Renell, Children's Services Manager in Downers Grove, IL
• Molly Scheibler, Deputy Director in Schaumburg, IL
• Traci Ward, Adult Services Mang in Fort Wayne, IN
• Amy Young, Head of Adult Services Clinton Township, MI

Our coaches for this year’s program will be:

• Sonia Alcantara-Antoine, CEO, Baltimore County Public Library, MD
• Kate Alderete, Library Director, Albuquerque Public Library, NM
• Michael Colford, Director of Library Services, Boston Public Library, MA
• Jessica Dorr, Director, Boise Public Library, ID
• Corey Fleming, Library Director, Patterson Free Library, NJ
• Libby Holtmann, Library Director, Plano Public Library, TX
• Chris Warren, Director, Dothan-Houston County Library, AL

The PLA Leadership Academy: Navigating Change · Building Community is a dynamic in-person event that includes four days of interactive education and networking. Since the program’s inception in 2013, five academies have been held, and 142 leaders have been trained.  

The PLA Leadership Academy was developed in partnership with Adam Goodman, director of the Center for Leadership at Northwestern University. This project is supported in part by funding from the Friends of PLA. The International City and County Management Association, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also provided support during the project’s initial development.

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About the Public Library Association

The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 9,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.