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We are hiring!

Books for Keeps is hiring a Spring Book Access Assistant to support our Spring Book Distribution Program across 14 elementary schools in Athens, GA. This is a temporary position beginning Monday, March 17 and ending Friday, May 30, 2025. Click the button below to learn more and apply! 

Our Staff

Our book-loving team is dedicated to supporting Books for Keeps' mission to inspire joyful experiences with literacy that children can forever associate with learning. We'd love to meet you! 

Leadership Team
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Kelsey Ripley

Director of Communications 

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Rainey Lynch

Director of Finance & Administration

Book Access Operations Team 
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Ruthi Hortsch

Executive Director

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Andy Ekegbu

Book Access Coordinator

Andy@booksforkeeps.org​

He/him/his

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Destini Noori

Book Access Coordinator

Storytellers Literacy Mentor Program Team
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Colleen Craven

Literacy Mentor

Program Manager

Colleen@booksforkeeps.org​

She/her/hers

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Laura Griner

Storytellers In-School Coordinator

Our Board

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Books for Keeps relies on our Board to help support literacy for all in our community and beyond. We are so grateful for each of our board members who lend their time and talents to this work!

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Mary Alston Killen

Board Vice President

Director of Donor Relations, Franklin College at University of Georgia

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Nipuna Ambanpola

Board Member

Research & Public Service Manager, Fanning Institute at University of Georgia

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Chandra Mincey

Board Secretary

Scientist, Johnson and Johnson MedTech

Shakeeta Daniel  

Board Member

Banker, First American Bank and Trust

Photo coming soon!
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Kathleen Adams

Board President

Marketing Manager, Leon Farmer & Company

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Pamela Garcia

Board Member

Principal, Fowler Drive Elementary

Keith Roberson

Board Member

Manager & Co-Owner Of Barron’s Rental

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Janine Sheedy

Board Member

School Psychologist, Walton County School District

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Ben Jacobs-Nichelson

Board Treasurer

Financial Planner & Owner, Fully Financial

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Tiara Smith

Board Member

Program Manager, Bright Paths

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Deirdre Siguichi

Board Member

Writer

Ashley Gibson

Board Member

Library Assistant, University of North Georgia

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More about the board

If you are passionate about our cause and interested in joining our board, we welcome applications from individuals who share our vision. Please review the below documents to better understand our board member expectation, committee structure, and meetings frequency.

2024-27 Strategic Plan

Where we're from and where we're headed. 

Board Member Expectations

Deliverables, time commitments & more.

Board Meeting Dates

We currently meet at 5:30pm on the fourth Monday of each month.

Committee Structures

Committee functions, goals, and descriptors.

​For questions about the Books for Keeps board, please reach out to board@booksforkeeps.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

Connect with us!

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 49761

Athens, GA 30604

706-410-1912

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Thanks for reaching out! A member of our team will be in touch with you soon.

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The mission of Books for Keeps is to inspire joyful experiences around literacy that can be forever associated with learning. We do this by expanding book access for readers of all ages, developing early reading resources for families, and supporting students with literacy mentorship. 

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