RAILS’ new leadership development program announces members of the inaugural RAILS Catalyst cohort. Due to strong interest, we increased the number of available spots from 40 to 48. All applicants demonstrated a passion for advancing their careers and building leadership skills. Final selections for this competitive program were based on the strength of their application responses and letters of support.
"I'm thrilled with the cohort we’ve brought together. We had such a strong response, and I’m especially excited by the mix of library types from across our service area, the range of career stages, and the diversity of the candidates. It’s a truly dynamic group!" said RAILS Director of Consulting and Continuing Education, Kate Niehoff.
RAILS Catalyst will feature real-time coaching from Certified Professional Coach and respected leader Becky Thalmann. Participants will engage in monthly virtual sessions with a peer cohort and come together for two in-person meetings.
Special thanks to the RAILS Catalyst Design Team:
- Monica Boyer, Aurora Public Library District
- Genna Buhr, Fondulac District Library
- Beth Duttlinger, Lillie M. Evans Library District
- Ashley Johnson, Vernon Area Public Library District
- Richard Kong, Skokie Public Library
- Emily Meszaros, Green Hills Public Library District
- Kate Niehoff, Reaching Across Illinois Library System
- Vicki Rakowski, Forest Park Public Library
Congratulations to the first RAILS Catalyst cohort:
- Rebecca Bourné, Riverdale Public Library District
- Beth Bozzo, Lansing Public Library
- Sue Eckhardt, Midlothian Public Library
- Amy Edgar, Dunlap Public Library District
- Kaylee Floyd, Robert R. Jones Public Library
- Jacinto Gonzalez, Fountaindale Public Library District
- Becky Goode, Waubonsee Community College
- Tony Hahn, Resource Sharing Alliance
- Emily Hampston, Palos Park Public Park
- Nathan Hare, Homewood Public Library
- Amber Hayes, Skokie Public Library
- Tyler Hicks, Glen Ellyn Public Library
- Hilda Jackson, Poplar Creek Public Library
- Holly Johnson, Cullom-Davis Library at Bradley University
- Ashley Jacoby Johnson, Vernon Area Public Library District
- Krista Katzen, Oswego Public Library District
- Amanda Klenk, Downers Grove Public Library
- Hester Klinke, Sugar Grove Public Library District
- Britta Krabill, DeKalb Public Library
- Kristin Lansdown, DePaul University
- Dennis Latimer, Marengo-Union Library District
- Karen Lonergan, Cordova District Library
- Colby Maddox, The Resource Center at the Old Town School of Folk Music
- MaryKellie Marquez, Warrenville Public Library District
- Jenny Massa, Mount Prospect Public Library
- Abbigail McWilliams, Sterling Public Library
- Emily Meszaros, Green Hills Public Library District
- Lisa Moe, Three Rivers Public Library District
- Jackie Moreno, Arlington Heights Memorial Library
- Kavita Mundle, University of Illinois Chicago Library
- Michelle Newcomb, Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District
- Austin Nord, Woodstock Public Library
- Marché Pernell, Evanston Public Library
- Jen Ripka, Indian Prairie Public Library
- Anjelica Rufus, Prospect Heights Public Library District
- Claire Ong Sabala, Oak Park Public Library
- Angela Solis, University of Chicago, Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center
- Mary Anne Stear, Peoria Heights Public Library
- Channing Stoudt, Dixon Public Library
- Jill Sullivan-Bennin, Sherrard CUSD #200
- Gaby Tafolla, Addison Public Library
- Stacey Van Kley, Bourbonnais Public Library District
- Emily Vinci, Schaumburg Township District Library
- Jessi Wakefield, White Oak Library District - Lockport Branch
- Laura Winter, Barrington CUSD220
- Devin Wood, Antioch Public Library District
- Kate Young, Reddick Public Library District
- Sarah Jo Zaharako, Wilmette Public Library
If you have questions about RAILS Catalyst, contact Kate Niehoff, Director of Consulting & Continuing Education.