Our Team

Jennie Magiera (she/her) is Google’s Global Head of Education Impact, bestselling author of Courageous Edventures, and founder of the education equity nonprofit Our Voice Alliance. A lifelong educator, Jennie taught for over a decade and has also been an instructional coach, building leader, and district administrator. She served on the TWG for the US Dept of Education’s National EdTech Plan, and has been featured on programs such as NBC’s Education Nation, C-SPAN’s Reimagining Education, TEDx, and NPR. Find her online at: Twitter

Kat Cho (she/her), New York Times and international bestselling author of Wicked Fox, Vicious Spirits, and Once Upon a K-Prom, has been an advocate of diversity and equity in kidlit since she first became involved in the community. She advocates for equity and representation in publishing and media through her work with Diverse Voices Inc., the non-profit behind DVPit and DVCon. As well as through fundraisers (including Kidlit Against Anti-AAPI Racism Auction) and volunteering for diverse mentorship programs as both mentor and application reader. She has helped organize and run online bookish events such as Everywhere Book Fest and AAPI Book Month! You can find her online at: TikTok | Instagram | Website

Akshaya Raman (she/her) moved every year until she was fourteen–sometimes to different parts of the same town, sometimes to different cities, sometimes to different countries all together. As a result, she developed two superpowers: being able to sleep or read pretty much anywhere (though now that she’s older she gets sick reading in moving vehicles). When she’s not writing, she loves to travel and try new (vegetarian) cuisines. She lives in California with an actual scaredy cat where she nerds out over all things space and watches way too much TV. She is the author of The Ivory Key. She is represented by Hillary Jacobson at ICM Partners. Find her online: Twitter | Website

Patrice Caldwell is a graduate of Wellesley College and the founder of People of Color in Publishing–a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting, empowering, and uplifting racially and ethnically marginalized members of the book publishing industry. Born and raised in Texas, Patrice was a children’s book editor before becoming a literary agent at New Leaf Literary & Media.

She’s been named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” media list, a Publishers Weekly Star Watch honoree, and featured on Bustle’s inaugural “Lit List” as one of ten women changing the book world.

Patrice is the editor of two anthologies published by Penguin Random House’s Viking Children’s imprint: A Phoenix First Must Burn, 16 stories of Black Girl Magic, Resistance, and Hope and Eternally Yours, a YA Paranormal Romance anthology out September 20, 2022. Her debut novel, Where Shadows Reign—the first in a YA fantasy duology—is out Fall 2023 from Wednesday Books, an imprint of Macmillan. Visit Patrice online at Website | Twitter | Instagram

Rachel is the Teen Services Coordinator at a public library in the western suburbs of Chicago. As part of the Buzzfeed Books team, she has contributed over 50 posts and quizzes to help readers find their next great story. In addition, she is the Communications Director for YALLFest and the Social Media Coordinator for YALLWEST. Previously, she was an indie bookseller, where she co-created and ran bookish summer camps for teens. She is still not over the cancellation of Pushing Daisies. Find her online: Website | Instagram