Who We Are

SCBWI is the preeminent membership organization for children’s book creators. We are a global community of writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, librarians, advocates, and other industry professionals working to establish a more imaginative and inclusive world through the power of children’s literature. Founded in 1971, SCBWI has 20,000 members worldwide.

SCBWI is run by our Headquarters Staff and our Board of Directors, with support from our esteemed Advisory Council, and the incredible SCBWI volunteers who provide events and programming locally worldwide.

Headquarters

Sarah Baker
Executive Director
Tammy Brown
Director, Marketing and Communications Strategy
Kim Turrisi
Director of Programming and Content
Sarah Diamond
Associate Director of Digital Content and Awards
TeMika Grooms
Manager of Design and Illustration
Chelsea Kimiko
Social Media Manager
Laurie Miller
Manager of Events and Special Projects
Patricia Wiles
Director of Regional Team Management

Board of Directors

Laurent Linn
Art Director, Author, Illustrator
Jon E. Cawthorne, Ph.D.
Creative Director
Netta Rabin
Creative Director, Other

Advisory Council

Ugo Anidi
Assistant International Advisor
Jerry Bennett
U.S. Illustrator Coordinator
Natascha Biebow
Co-Regional Advisor
Priscilla Burris
Illustrator Programs Consultant
Dana Carey
International Illustrator Coordinator
Christopher Cheng
Author
Bruce Coville
Author
Pat Cummings
Author, Illustrator
Matt de la Pena
Emma D. Dryden
Author, Editor
Ellen Hopkins
Alvina Ling
Editor
Laurent Linn
Art Director, Author, Illustrator
Stephen Mooser
Founder
Elisabeth Norton
Assistant International Advisor
Debbie Ohi
Author, Illustrator
Lin Oliver
Founder, Managing Director Impact and Legacy Fund
Lesa Cline-Ransome
Author
Ruta Sepetys
Author
Avery Fischer Udagawa
Global Translator Coordinator
Melanie Rook Welfing
Global Regions Coordinator-International
Cecilia Yung
Art Director, Illustrator
Paul Zelinsky
Author, Illustrator

Global Regions Leadership Team

Patricia Wiles
Director of Regional Team Management
Melanie Rook Welfing
Global Regions Coordinator-International
Ugo Anidi
Assistant International Advisor
Elisabeth Norton
Assistant International Advisor
Dana Carey
International Illustrator Coordinator
Jerry Bennett
U.S. Illustrator Coordinator
Avery Fischer Udagawa
Global Translator Coordinator
Priscilla Burris
Illustrator Programs Consultant

Spanish Language and Legacy Committee

Jorge Inzunza
Spanish Language Coordinator
Ale Díaz Bouza
Regional Advisor
Cynthia De La Torre
Author, Illustrator
Cristina Freeman
Assistant Regional Advisor
Romy Natalia Goldberg
Regional Advisor
Judy Goldman
Author, Translator
Melanie Rook Welfing
Global Regions Coordinator-International
Full Screen 2400x1600 px.png

Explore Global Chapters

As a Premium Member of SCBWI you belong to a local, volunteer-run region. SCBWI has close to 80 regions around the world. Get involved with your SCBWI Region to connect with other children's book creators near you.