Early Career Committee

The Children’s Book Council’s Early Career Committee (ECC) is dedicated to enriching the careers of those in their first five years in the children’s publishing industry, contributing to the vitality of the industry as a whole, and fostering literacy. Through dynamic programming created by the industry’s young professionals, the ECC offers career development, a friendly social community, and networking and volunteer opportunities.

See videos of past programs.

2022 Committee Members

Arik Hardin (Chair), Assistant Managing Editor, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group

Josie Dallam (Secretary), Sales Coordinator, Little Bee Books

Jena Groshek (CBC Liaison), Marketing Coordinator, Children’s Book Council

Chelsea Abdullah, Marketing Assistant, Astra Books for Young Readers

Lois Evans, Editor, Make Me a World, Random House Children’s Books

Ashley Fields, Editorial Assistant, Disney Hyperion, Rick Riordan Presents

Katie Gould, Associate Editor, Andrews McMeel

Savannah Kennelly, Digital Marketing Associate, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Cassandra Martinez, Commercial Operations Coordinator, Candlewick Press

Matt Phipps, Editorial Assistant, G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Penguin Young Readers

Jon Simeon, Assistant Designer, Charlesbridge

Victoria Velez, Marketing and Publicity Assistant, Scholastic

Only employees of member publishers are invited to serve on the CBC’s vibrant committees. Are you a CBC member interested in joining a committee? Email Shaina.Birkhead@cbcbooks.org.