S. Bear Bergman is a writer, storyteller, activist and the founder and publisher of the book press Flamingo Rampant, which makes feminist, culturally diverse children's picture books about LGBT2Q+ kids and families. He writes creative non-fiction for grown-ups, fiction for children, resolutely factual features for various publications and the advice column "Asking Bear." His books include The Nearest Exit May Be Behind Us and Blood, Marriage, Wine & Glitter and he was the co-editor along, with Kate Bornstein, of Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation.

Kenn Enns (they/them) is the Social Media Coordinator for Shelf Life Books, an independent bookstore located in Mohkínstsis, Treaty 7 (Calgary, Alberta). As the Social Media Coordinator, they create connections between the store with other bookstores, publishing partners, community organizations, and local mutual aid groups. They love to highlight social justice movements in the city and post as many dog photos as possible.

Canadian-born and Caribbean-raised, Paige Gunning’s (she/her) goal from a young age was to work in publishing. She finally entered the industry in 2018 as a social media coordinator and now works in consumer engagement at Penguin Random House Canada. Paige is also a co-founder of BIPOC of Publishing in Canada, a non-profit collective for Black, Indigenous, and people of colour currently working in the Canadian book publishing industry. When she isn’t online in a professional capacity, you can also find her on YouTube where she furthers the conversation surrounding diversity within publishing and books under the moniker Minimal Bookie.

Laura Chapnick (she/her) is Marketing Director at House of Anansi Press and Groundwood Books. She started her career in fashion journalism and developed a long-standing interest in brand development and beautiful design. After completing an M.A. in Literatures of Modernity at Ryerson University, she moved her focus to book publishing. Since then, she has spent time in various roles in marketing and publicity at Penguin Random House Canada, House of Anansi Press, and Groundwood Books. She also sits on the Ontario Creates industry advisory committee for the book publishing sector.

Zoe Kelsey (she/her) is the Marketing Associate for House of Anansi Press and Groundwood Books, where she contributes to advertising campaigns, social media, newsletter outreach, and more. A graduate of Queen’s University, where she wrote for the Queen’s Journal and sat on a number of editorial boards for student publications, Zoe volunteered for Word on the Street and the Giller Light Bash before interning for HarperCollins Canada and Penguin Random House Canada. Zoe joined PRHC and worked as a Production Assistant for two years before joining Anansi/Groundwood to fulfill her love of connecting readers with very good books.

Elham Ali (she/her) is a writer and publishing professional based in Toronto. She graduated from the University of Toronto in 2014, and since completing the Humber College publishing program she has worked in marketing and publicity at Canada’s Ballet Jörgen, Penguin Random House Canada, and Dundurn Press. She currently works as the Senior Publicist at ECW Press.