MEET THE SCBWI STAFF: Patricia Wiles Director of Regional Team Management

Patricia brings decades of experience as both a regional and global volunteer within SCBWI. A former public radio commentator, newspaper columnist, and journalist, she has also worked across the nonprofit and government sectors. Her background includes extensive leadership in board governance, volunteer management, and organizational operations.

Her open door policy and willingness to collaborate have been keys to her success in building the regional teams.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I have the best job in the world because I get to serve our amazing global network of volunteer regional leaders. I feel they represent the heart of the children's literature community. There's something special about the SCBWI members who step up to serve as Regional Advisors, Assistant Regional Advisors, Illustrator Coordinators, and Translator Coordinators. They care deeply about SCBWI's mission, vision, and values. They lift up and support each other, and their creative energy fills the space whether we're meeting in person or virtually. Time is the most valuable thing any of us have, and the time they give to us and their regions is a tremendous gift. It's important to me to honor their gifts by doing all I can to help them be successful leaders. This is a clear sense of purpose I've always felt in my role. Anytime I can figure out ways to streamline administrative burdens, support them through challenges, and celebrate their successes, that's when I feel rewarded.

Is there any one thing that you are particularly proud of accomplishing since taking this leadership position?

I have to say it's the development and implementation of the regions' central banking system. This was a huge, complicated project that at times scared me and even felt impossible! A few years ago I grew concerned about the lack of financial structure for regions - especially the administrative burden it put on Regional Advisors, who are charged with overseeing their region treasuries. Financial reporting was onerous and complicated, and it was becoming more difficult to transfer accounts after a change in leadership. State regulations led some U.S. banks to decline regions' requests to open new accounts, and most regions outside the U.S. couldn't even open accounts.

As we prepared to launch the new website in 2023 and I dug into the connected payment platforms, I began to see possibilities for a new system that would allow SCBWI to establish and manage treasuries for all regions, regardless of location, while allowing Regional Advisors to disburse funds. We launched central banking in 2024 with four regions and, after about 16 months of testing, we began rolling all region treasuries into the system. In January, the central banking system became fully active. 

The new system has eliminated financial reporting requirements for Regional Advisors, which makes me happy because this allows them more time to enjoy their roles. And we have an equitable system that allows regions outside the U.S. to have treasuries that support events and pay speakers. I was so excited when SCBWI Singapore - a region that had never had a treasury before - held their first-ever webinar in January with Daniel Miyares! That was a proud moment for me, and I'm so glad I didn't give up on this project during those times when I felt most intimidated.