For Immediate Release — October 9, 2025
ECPA names 31 industry Emerging Leaders for PubU scholar & mentorship program
A record number of Emerging Leader scholars will participate in PubU Online and be matched with an industry mentor
CHANDLER, ARIZ., OCTOBER 9, 2025 – ECPA has announced the recipients of the Emerging Leader scholarship and mentorship program for ECPA PubU – the industry’s training and networking event for Christian publishing professionals, taking online as a series of webinars and meetups, offered October 31 through November 14.
Nominations were made by Christian publishing companies to invest in the emerging leaders in their organizations and a record number of 31 were selected. Since 2016, 184 publishing professionals have been named as emerging leaders.
“I extend my sincere congratulations to each member of this year’s Emerging Leaders class and also my thanks to the 17 companies who nominated them,” Jeff Crosby, ECPA president, stated. “It’s my hope that the PubU Emerging Leaders program and the year of mentoring to come will stimulate growth, a greater understanding of the craft of publishing, and a strong sense of belonging within the ECPA community.”
Deborah Saénz, developmental editor for NavPress, is the coordinator of this year’s Emerging Leader program. She will match each emerging leader with an industry mentor for the coming year. Deborah has developed two sessions specifically for the scholars, who will meet during PubU Online. Also a longtime mentor in the program, she expresses:
“I’m so excited about this year’s class of emerging leaders. They bring incredible energy and passion to our industry, and I can’t wait to see how this program equips them to grow in their callings and thrive in their careers.”
ECPA presents the 2025 PubU class of Emerging Leader scholars:
Carly Anderson
Marketing Manager, Rabbit Room Press
Two years in the industry
Sofia Anderson
Online Sales Data Analyst
Tyndale House Publishers
Three years in the industry
James Bock
Acquisitions Editor
CLC Publications
Five years in the industry
Josh Boers
Editorial Assistant
Our Daily Bread Ministries
Five years in the industry
Madison Cannon
Publishing and Marketing Coordinator
William Carey Publishing
Four years in the industry
Bria Conway
Associate Marketing Manager
Baker Publishing Group
Four years in the industry
Jane Daly
Acquisitions Editor and Manager, Administration
Elk Lake Publishing, Inc.
Two years in the industry
David Dinkins
Content Developer
Publishing in Color
Three years in the industry
Anna Dwyer
Marketing Specialist
Baker Publishing Group
One year in the industry
Rainer Erani
Specialty Sales Assoc.
InterVarsity Press
Less than one year in the industry
Sarah French
Assistant Production Editor
InterVarsity Press
One year in the industry
Alaina Gaddie
Marketing Manager
InterVarsity Press
Two years in the industry
Miriam Gutierrez
Marketing Coordinator and Digital Analytics
Harvest House Publishers
Two years in the industry
Brooke Hill
Associate Acquisitions Editor
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Five years in the industry
Zoe Jethani
Publicist
Tyndale House Publishers
One year in the industry
Rachel Kang
Editorial Lead
DaySpring
Five years in the industry
Sarah Kilgore
Content-Production Editor
Lifeway Christian Resources
Two years in the industry
Olivia Mason
Marketing Assistant, Brazos Press and Baker Academic
Baker Publishing Group
One year in the industry
Christine Pelliccio Melo
Assistant Producer and Project Specialist
InterVarsity Press
Two years in the industry
Brent Niedergall
Chief Editor
Positive Action for Christ
Three years in the industry
Nilwona Nowlin
Associate Editor, Trade
InterVarsity Press
Three years in the industry
Rebecca Pate
Lead Generation Manager
InterVarsity Press
One year in the industry
Ava Perego
Publicity Assistant
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group
Nearly two years in the industry
Jack Reece
Producer and Project Lead
InterVarsity Press
One year in the industry
Hannah Rethman
Marketing & Sales Assistant
Kregel Publications
One year in the industry
Dakota Rice
Marketing Strategist
B&H Academic (An Imprint of B&H Publishing Group)
Two years in the industry
Camille Smaby
Sr. Marketing Manager, Online Optimization
HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Nearly four years in the industry
Elizabeth Sond
Editor
Inter-Varsity Press UK, The SPCK Group
Two years in the industry
Leah Steed
Graphic Designer
B&H Publishing Group (Lifeway)
One year in the industry
Sydney Tooth
Editor
Inter-Varsity Press UK, The SPCK Group
One year in the industry
Grace Kelley Widdows
Project Manager
Publishing in Color
Three years in the industry
ECPA PubU Online will include more than 40 webinars, master classes, and networking sessions in several training tracks for Sales, Editorial, Marketing & Publicity, Production & Operations, Rights, and Children’s Literature – offered from October 31 to November 14. Registration is open at ECPAPubU.org.
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 up the next generation of leaders. ECPAPubU.org
ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are 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 our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. ECPA.org
Media Contacts:
Jeff Crosby, ECPA President, jcrosby@ecpa.org or 630-989-0222
Sheri Toomb, Communications Manager, stoomb@ecpa.org or 480-966-3998
