Who We Are
We are immigrants, 1st-3rd generation Americans, and long-term citizens — all committed to creating a culture of welcoming and belonging.
Executive Director
Kirsten Cappy co-founded I’m Your Neighbor Books in 2012. She brings 20 years of experience using children’s books and the companion tools she creates to increase curiosity, empathy, and cultural competency. Kirsten was named one of the Boston Globe’s Everyday Heroes for her work on the Welcoming Library.
“Because books change our perception of ourselves and others, they are unexpectedly powerful anti-racist tools.” —Kirsten Cappy
Board Officers:
Pious Ali
Board President, Co-Founder, City Councilman, Portland Empowered
Kimberly Simmons, Ph.D
Board Vice President, Affiliated Scholar, USM Women and Gender Studies
Tim Wyand
Board Treasurer, Financial Advisor
Amy MacDonald
Board Secretary, Author, Community Organizer
Board Members:
Jen Boggs
Writer, Researcher, Public Relations, Toderico Creative
Katherine G. Cutko
Co-Founder, Public Librarian, Social Worker
Deqa Dhalac
City Mayor, Maine Department of Education
Jennifer Hoopes
Attorney, International Executive, Book Lover
Audrey Maynard
Co-Founder, Children’s Book Editor and Educator
Charles Mugabe
Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services Case Worker
Advisory Board:
Dr. Krista Aronson, Ph.D
Director Diverse BookFinder, Bates College Professor and Associate Dean of Faculty
Maria Testa
Author, Poet, Activist
Founders:
Delanie Honda
Co-Founder, ELL Educator
Reza Jalali
Co-Founder, Author, Educator, Storyteller
Terry Farish
Co-Founder, Author, New Arrival Literacy Coordinator
Anne Sibley O’Brien
Co-Founder, Author/Illustrator, Diversity Advocate
Staff:
Melia Colleta
Book Database Manager
Pam Remy
Welcoming Library Project Manager