Scholars will gather at PubU in Nashville for specialized leadership development and begin year-long mentoring relationships in 2027
CHANDLER, ARIZ., OCTOBER 5, 2026 — ECPA has announced 27 publishing professionals selected for the 2026 Emerging Leaders scholarship and mentorship program, an initiative designed to invest in the next generation of leaders in Christian publishing through training, industry connection, and year-long mentorship.
The 2026 Emerging Leaders will attend ECPA PubU, the association’s annual training and networking conference for Christian publishing professionals, held November 4 and 5 at the Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel in Nashville. Scholars receive special registration to PubU and will participate in two sessions developed specifically for the Emerging Leader class on the morning of November 4, before the full PubU program begins.
The 2026 program is led by Andrea Garcia, Senior Marketing Manager at Tyndale House Publishers, who developed two specialized sessions for the Emerging Leaders class focused on leadership development, industry connection, and preparing for the year-long mentorship experience.
Following PubU, each scholar will be matched with an experienced Christian publishing professional for a year-long mentoring relationship in 2027, providing an opportunity for continued professional development, encouragement, and industry connection beyond the conference.
“Investing in emerging leaders is an investment in the future of Christian publishing,” said ECPA President Jeff Crosby. “PubU gives these professionals an opportunity to learn, build relationships, and expand their vision for the industry, while the year-long mentorship extends that investment well beyond the conference. We are grateful for the industry leaders who will come alongside this class to encourage their growth and help prepare them for greater leadership and impact in the years ahead.”
The 2026 class represents a wide range of publishing disciplines and professional backgrounds from 16 ECPA member companies. While many are relatively new to their current roles within ECPA member companies and the Christian publishing industry, they bring professional experience, accomplishments, and leadership skills developed in other fields and roles. The Emerging Leaders program helps them build on that experience as they grow their careers, relationships, and leadership within Christian publishing.
Since its launch in 2016, ECPA’s Emerging Leaders program has invested in more than 200 publishing professionals. Companies nominate promising professionals from across publishing disciplines, with nominations encouraged for those whose diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can broaden the voices shaping the future of Christian publishing.
ECPA presents the 2026 PubU class of Emerging Leader scholars:
Tabitha McDuffee
Marketing Manager, 10ofthose
6 years in the industry
Grant Klembara
Director of Marketing, 1517 Publishing
8 years in the industry
Mary Banks
Content Manager, Apricot Services
5 years in the industry
Matthew Jordan
Acquisitions Editor, B&H Publishing
1 year in the industry
Stephanie Greenlee
Graphic Designer, B&H Publishing
3 years in the industry
Anna Bernin-Mallin
Marketing Assistant, Baker Publishing Group
1.5 years in the industry
John Mudgett
Sr. Publicist, Baker Publishing Group
1 year in the industry
Emily Vest
Publicist, Baker Publishing Group
2 years in the industry
Michelle Lazurek
Acquisitions Editor, CLC Publications
1 year in the industry
Trinity Richards
Editor, Cook Media Global
4 years in the industry
Emilie Friske
Marketing Specialist, David C Cook
Less than 1 year in the industry
Christopher Miller
Graphic Designer, InterVarsity Press
3 years in the industry
Sarah Vacura
Marketing Manager, InterVarsity Press
1 year in the industry
Emma Winchell
Editorial Assistant, InterVarsity Press
4 years in the industry
Jewel Walcott Johnson
Project Manager, Lifeway Christian Resources
3 years in the industry
Bethany Phillips
Marketing Specialist, Lifeway/B&H Publishing Group
1 year in the industry
Lauren Ducommun
Director of Operations, Lithos Kids
5 years in the industry
Erica Dvorak
Book Marketing Manager, Moody Publishers
Less than 1 year in the industry
Olivia Allen
Sales & eCommerce Marketing Specialist, New Growth Press
2 years in the industry
Joel Hermanson
Director of Creative and Publishing Operations, Northwestern Publishing House
Less than 1 year in the industry
Jake Daghe
Director of Equip & Director of Theology, Passion Publishing
1 year in the industry
Noah Lehman
Production Designer, Positive Action for Christ
2.5 years in the industry
Kelly McDaniel
Marketing and Sales Manager, Spero Publishing LLC
1 year in the industry
Holly Meyer
Design Project Coordinator, The Daily Grace Co.
5 years in the industry
Daniell Sanchez
Wholesale Account Manager, The Daily Grace Co.
5 years in the industry
Paul Zetterberg
Editorial Manager, The Daily Grace Co.
3 years in the industry
Allison McDougal
Production Manager, The Daily Grace Co.
6 years in the industry
ECPA PubU 2026 will bring Christian publishing professionals together for more than 40 peer-led sessions featuring 70 speakers across Editorial, Marketing, Sales, Production & Operations, and Design, along with Master Classes and Emerging Leader development. The conference is designed by publishing professionals for their industry peers, providing practical training, networking, and opportunities to learn from colleagues across the Christian publishing community.
Registration is still open, with discounts available for multiple attendees from the same company. For program information and registration, visit ECPAPubU.org.
About ECPA PubU
ECPA PubU has delivered training, connection, networking, and inspiration to the industry’s frontline practitioners since 2004. Industry leaders develop the program to invest in the expertise of their colleagues and train the next generation of publishing leaders. ECPAPubU.org
About ECPA
ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) is an international nonprofit trade organization comprised of member companies involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that its members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. ECPA.org
Media Contacts:
Jeff Crosby, ECPA President, jcrosby@ecpa.org | 480-966-3998 ext. 802
Sheri Toomb, ECPA Communications Manager, stoomb@ecpa.org | 480-966-3998 ext. 805
