Who We Are
Devoted leadership from across the state!
Executive Director
Ellen Daniels
Ellen served as the festival’s Literary Director from 2019 to 2021. In September 2021, she became the Executive Director, where she continues to draw on her longtime love of books and her extensive relationships in the publishing industry. In addition to her prior work as a gallery assistant at Fischer Galleries and her own fine art photography training, Ellen also brings more than a decade of experience at Lemuria Books to her leadership position.
Deputy Director
Jordan Perry
Having spent most of her career in the non-profit sector, Jordan brings to the festival nearly a decade of experience in fundraising, capacity-building, and event logistics. Through her work with the Mississippi Museum of Art and the Mississippi Arts Commission, she’s seen first-hand the breadth and impact of our state’s rich cultural heritage and looks forward to building on the festival’s success to broaden its reach even further.
Community Engagement Director
Tonja Murphy
Following a stint on the festival’s Board of Directors, Tonja became the Community Engagement Director. Tonja brings nearly two decades of experience in youth and community engagement to the festival. Through her various nonprofit organizations and school districts, Tonja combines her love for books, community, and young people to each year help produce the festival’s signature KidNote program, which reaches thousands of students statewide.
Site Coordinator
Shannon McLaughlin
Shannon joined the festival team in 2020 to oversee all aspects of on-site logistics in and around the State Capitol complex. She brings to the role years of experience planning large-scale events like Bright Lights Belhaven Nights, among others, and is thrilled to use her arts background to help showcase her native Mississippi.
Board of Directors
- Meg Annison, Jackson, MS
- Tracy Carr, Jackson, MS
- Daphne Chamberlain, Jackson, MS
- Elizabeth Crews, Blue Mountain, MS
- John Evans, Jackson, MS
- Chris Goodwin, Jackson, MS
- Gwendolyn Harmon, Jackson, MS
- Betty Jo Harris, Natchez, MS
- Richard Howorth, Oxford, MS
- Pam Junior, Jackson, MS
- Jamie Kornegay, Grenada, MS
- Holly Lange, Ridgeland, MS
- Jon Levingston, Clarksdale, MS
- Jean Medley, Jackson, MS
- Helen McComb, Port Gibson, MS
- Sarah McCullough, Starkville, MS
- Jere Nash, Jackson, MS
- Scott Naugle, Pass Christian, MS
- Peyton Prospere, Jackson, MS
- Ellen Ruffin, Hattiesburg, MS
- Emily Simmons, Jackson, MS
- Robert St. John, Hattiesburg, MS
- Talya Straughter, Jackson, MS
- Valerie Walley, Jackson, MS
- Mary Alice White, Jackson, MS
- Neil White, Oxford, MS
- Betty Wilson-McSwain, McComb, MS
Board of Advisors
- Katie Blount, Mississippi Department of Archives and History
- Alex Brower, Mississippi Library Commission
- Matthew Casey, University of Southern Mississippi
- Beth Ann Fennelly, University of Mississippi
- Craig Gill, University Press of Mississippi
- John Hooks, The Eudora Welty Foundation
- David Lewis, Mississippi Arts Commission
- Robby Luckett, Jackson State University / Margaret Walker Alexander Center
- Ebony Lumumba, Jackson State University
- John Marszalek, Mississippi State University / Ulysses S. Grant Library
- Preselfannie McDaniels, Jackson State University
- Michael Morris, Mississippi Department of Archives and History
- Anna Neel, Mississippi Public Broadcasting
- Lis Pankl, Mississippi State University
- Nina Parikh, Mississippi Development Authority / Mississippi Film Office
- Stuart Rockoff, Mississippi Humanities Council
- Elizabeth Simmons, Mississippi Board of Education
- Eric Tribunella, University of Southern Mississippi
- Steve Yates, University Press of Mississippi