Michigan Library Advocacy Day 2026 Speakers

Bridgette Bauer
Public Affairs Manager
Bellwether Public Relations

Bridgette Bauer is a strategic communicator driven by a passion for advocacy and storytelling. Since joining Bellwether Public Relations, Bauer has become a trusted advisor to her clients, known for her ability to develop and execute impactful communications strategies with a public policy focus.

Bauer leads client teams such as the Michigan Association of Health Plans, Michigan Community Action, Anderson Economic Group, and the Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership, excelling in earned media, advocacy, and social media strategy. She also supports key initiatives for organizations like the Michigan Health & Hospital Association and the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association.

Bauer’s journey in public relations began at Michigan State University, where she honed her skills as a student writer for the MSU Broad College of Business and as a public relations intern with Recycle Ann Arbor, an environmental advocacy nonprofit. Her dedication and talent earned her recognition as the 2022 Student Practitioner of the Year from the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America. ​Bauer earned her bachelor’s degree in social relations and policy with a minor in public relations from Michigan State University’s James Madison College.

Rion Berger
Teen Librarian
Clinton-Macomb Public Library

Rion Berger (they/them) has been a Teen Librarian at Clinton-Macomb Public Library for 2 years. Prior to working in libraries, they worked in higher education, coordinating the Semester in Detroit program for undergraduate students at the University of Michigan. They live in Detroit and spend their free time biking, swimming, learning, singing with friends, and dreaming up new worlds with their community.

Steven K. Bowers
Executive Director
The Library Network (TLN)

Steven’s work boils down to connection-connecting to others, helping others connect to each other, bringing people together for the greater good. He is currently applying this purpose as the Executive Director at The Library Network (TLN), one of the 11 great library cooperatives in the state of Michigan. He sees the role of the cooperatives as using their influence and resources to bring equity to the libraries we serve, and the libraries are serving the public, delivering meaningful outcomes.

Michelle Bradley
Interim State Librarian
Library of Michigan

Michelle Bradley is the currently serving as Interim State Librarian. She joined the Library of Michigan as the Manager of Library Development in 2024, overseeing statewide services such as the Michigan eLibrary, public library state aid, public library certification, LSTA federal funding programs, continuing education for library staff, statewide digitization initiatives, library law, technology, and youth services. Prior to her time at the Library of Michigan, Michelle spent 10 years working for statewide library services organizations in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Before that she spent over 20 years in public library management and administration. She has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University, and a graduate certificate in public management from Indiana University.

John Clexton
Library Director
Gladwin County District Library

John Clexton serves as Library Director for Gladwin County District Library. After completing his Master of Library & Information Science in 1998 he served as a Children's Librarian first with Ypsilanti Public Library and then with Detroit Public Library. In 2000 he joined his (then) hometown library of Grosse Pointe Public Library as a Branch Coordinator, serving 18 years there, raising his three kids along with his wife and many animals. In 2018 he left for the Caribbean island of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands as Territorial Librarian supervisor. His love for up north Michigan called him to Gladwin, where he currently, lives on Wiggins Lake with abundant fishing and outdoor recreation. In addition to the many hats and tasks of a Director, John currently serves on the board of Michigan Library Association and served as the Association of Rural and Small Libraries 2025 President, along with numerous national and state library committees.

Kristin Fontichiaro
Clinical Professor
University of Michigan School of Information

Kristin Fontichiaro is an award-winning clinical professor at the University of Michigan School of Information, where she studies public library leadership, strategic communication, and learning in libraries. She is the author of numerous books for librarians, educators, and youth.

Michele Howard
Director
Traverse Area District Library

A librarian for 30 years, Michele has a passion for learning and literacy. She has experience on various Boards including school PTO and local events and non-profit boards, all the way to being an elected official as a City Commissioner and Planning Commissioner for the City of Traverse City. Michele and her husband Scott live and raised their 3 children in Traverse City. She is an avid cyclist, cat and dog lover, skier, and of course, reader.

Rebecca Lowe
President
Michigan Association of School Librarians

Rebecca Lowe is a Michigan school librarian with 12 years of experience supporting students to become curious, capable, and informed learners. She was honored as the 2022 School Librarian of the Year and was the 2025 recipient of the Michigan Association for School Librarians' Ruby Brown Award for Individual Excellence. She currently serves as the president of the Michigan Association for School Librarians. Through her work in schools and statewide leadership, she champions equitable access to trusted, high quality information for all Michigan learners--regardless of zip code.

Jenny Marr
Executive Director
Capital Area District Libraries

Since 2024, Jenny has served as the Executive Director of the Capital Area District Library. She is currently the President of the Michigan Library Association and previously served as the chair of the MLA Advocacy and Legislative Committee.She served as the director of the Ferndale Area District Library (FADL) from 2017 - 2024. Additionally, Marr brings a wealth of experience from previous roles as Director of Morrill Public Library in Hiawatha, Kansas, and a foundational career at Grace A. Dow Memorial Library in Midland, Michigan. Marr is an East Lansing native and holds a MLIS degree from Wayne State University.

Inaya Qureshi

Inaya Qureshi is a senior at West Bloomfield High School and a youth activist recognized with the Princeton Prize in Race Relations for her leadership in advancing social justice. She is the President of Voice of Equality, a student-run nonprofit that brings pro-diversity, anti-bias programming to elementary schools across Metro Detroit. In her local community, she is the Student Co-Chair of United We Walk, an annual commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. In this role, she spearheaded programming and peace walks that coordinated over 200 volunteers delivering meaningful diversity lessons to more than 3,500 elementary students across four campuses. In 2025, Inaya served as a University of Michigan Youth Civil Rights Fellow, where she collaborated with student leaders statewide to design and implement youth-driven equity initiatives. Most recently, Inaya co-facilitated adult learning breakout sessions at the J.E.D.I. Educator Summit and has been invited to return at the April 2026 J.E.D.I. Student Summit, where she will empower youth to identify inequities in their communities and build sustainable solutions. She has also contributed to the MLA’s Right to Read campaign, speaking on behalf of student voices to advocate for diverse book access and intellectual freedom. An avid reader and writer, Inaya has published four short stories online, reaching over 1.3 million readers. She believes young people belong in the rooms where decisions are made and is committed to helping students ensure their voices are heard, valued, and celebrated!

Jennifer Rupp
President and Chief Executive Officer
Michigan Humanities

Jennifer Rupp is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Michigan Humanities, a role she has held since March 2022. With nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and capacity building, she is dedicated to fostering connections and inspiring community engagement across Michigan.

Rupp's journey with Michigan Humanities began in 2017, where she served in various capacities, including Director of State and Federal Grants and Chief Impact Officer, before assuming the role of President & CEO. Before joining Michigan Humanities, Rupp was the Executive Director of the Marshall Historical Society in 2007, where she curated museums and managed community events. She later became the Executive Director of the Brass Band of Battle Creek, creating programs centered on youth and incorporating humanities-based programming into concerts.

Rupp holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Public History and Secondary Education-History from Western Michigan University. Throughout her career, Rupp has been passionate about creating opportunities through the public humanities that inspire Michiganders to connect and get involved in their communities.

Harry Susalla
Founding Co-Director of Youth Organizing
Detroit Area Youth Uniting Michigan (DAYUM)

Harry started his journey as an organizer at 15, when he searched for accountability from a homophobic adult hall monitor at his High School. At 18 he decided to take his leadership beyond his school and co-founded DAYUM, a youth-led activist organization dedicated to creating social change for teenagers in Michigan. After years of education and training, he now serves as DAYUM's Co-Director, guiding the organization's strategy while providing resources and mentorship to the high school student's organizing work. He is currently allying teenagers in a youth-led campaign to pass The Freedom To Read Act in Michigan. While leading DAYUM Harry is pursuing his Masters of Social Work at the University of Michigan

Lisa Waskin
Library Director
Superior District Library

For the last twelve years, Lisa has served as the District Director of the Superior District Library, located in a mostly rural area of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The district is made up of eight libraries, four of them school public facilities, and the district covers approximately 2,300sq. miles. During her time in Michigan, Lisa has served in executive roles on several boards and committees for organizations like the Michigan Library Association, Midwest Collaborative for Library Services, Friends of Michigan Libraries, and the Upper Peninsula Region of Library Cooperation. Lisa is currently President-Elect of the Michigan Library Association, and serves on their Advocacy Committee and Bill Readers workgroup, as well as the MLA Finance Committee.

Prior to coming to Michigan, Lisa worked in libraries of all types in both Illinois and North Dakota and was selected as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2005. In Illinois she served as Chair of the Illinois Library Association's Legislative Committee, Chair of the Best Practices Committee, and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. She is happiest working in rural libraries, and when time allows, loves to spend time with her large family of six children and two grandchildren.

Samantha Zandee
Lobbyist
Governmental Consultant Services Inc.

Sam joined GCSI in 2020 with extensive experience in the State House. Her robust background in policy, legal work, and social services allows her to approach issues creatively and from multiple perspectives. Sam holds an undergraduate degree from Hope College and a Juris Doctor and Master’s of Social Work from the University at Buffalo. She has also worked in the family court system, legal aid clinics, a children’s advocacy center, and with in-house counsel at Buffalo Medical School.