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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! 

Ruthi Hortsch

Executive Director

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Colleen Craven-Morris

Storytellers Program Manager

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Nicole Gustafson

Storytellers School Coordinator

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Rainey Lynch

Director of Finance & Administration

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Jera Mornhinweg

Storytellers School Coordinator

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Ash Plaksin

BSW Intern

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Avery Brese

Book Operations Manager

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Mikey LaFave

Development Coordinator

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Laila Brown

Federal Work Study Intern

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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Kathleen Adams

Board President

Marketing Manager, Leon Farmer & Company

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Janine Sheedy

Board Secretary

School Psychologist, Walton County School District

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Hanna Roucka

Board Member

Microbiology PhD Candidate, UGA

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Pamela Garcia

Board Member

Principal, J.J. Harris Elementary, Clarke County School District

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Tiara Smith

Board Member

Program Manager, Brightpaths

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Mary Alston Killen

Board Vice President

Franklin College at University of Georgia

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Cheryl K. Legette

Board Member

COO – Girl Scouts of Historic GA

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Pamela Jessurum

Board Member

Realtor

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Sue Plaksin

Board Member

Public Librarian

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Ben Jacobs-Nichelson

Board Treasurer

Financial Planner & Owner, Fully Financial

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Claire Suggs

Board Member

Consultant

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Keith Roberson

Board Member

Owner, Barron's Rentals

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Tamara Suiza

Board Member

Attorney

More about the board

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!

Applications for our board have closed as of October 5. We look forward to welcoming new board members in January 2027! We expect to be recruiting again in August 2027. Please stay tuned! 

Books for Keeps Non Discrimination Policy

Books for Keeps prohibits discrimination and harassment, and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, sex, or age.

Books for Keeps does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, pregnancy, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, service in the uniformed services, or other criteria protected by law, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and admission to, participation in, or receipt of the services and benefits of any of Books for Keeps’ programs and activities, whether carried out by Books for Keeps directly or through any other entity with whom Books for Keeps arranges to carry out its program and activities. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and those receiving books through our program.

Books for Keeps is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative steps to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, pregnancy, national origin (ancestry), age, religion, creed, disability, genetic information, service in the uniformed services, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

This text was approved as part of our Human Resources Policy approved on 5/23/2024.

Connect with us!

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 49761

Athens, GA 30604

706-410-1912

EIN: 27-4714080

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Contact Form

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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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