Kate Emery brings over 20 years of business experience as founder and owner of Walker Systems Support listed as the 4th largest Computer Consulting firm in the Hartford area, Connecticut. She transformed Walker into a Stakeholder Business that is a socially progressive model mandating fair and ethical business practices including the requirement that all profits be split equally between shareholders, employees, and the community. In developing the Stakeholder Business model Kate hopes to demonstrate that it is possible for a business to grow and thrive without greed as a goal.

In addition, Kate launched a non-profit organization, Global Harmony Institute whose mission is to be an incubator for positive action. Kate believes that now more than ever we need to call on emergent leaders who have the courage to guide with wisdom and compassion, working alone or with groups, formally, or informally to make our world a better place.

Kate is also an award-winning portrait artist. She lives in Farmington, Connecticut with her husband Steve Silk, and their son David.

Jennifer Jacobson, Founder and Artistic Director of WCSD, has been a professional storyteller since 1991. In 2007 the Massachusetts Cultural Council selected Jennifer as a Creative Teaching Partner and in 2008 MCC awarded her a Creative Teaching Fellowship. She is also the 2004 recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling.

Jennifer’s stories resonate in schools, hospitals, at fundraising events, libraries, street festivals, community centers and at weddings. As the Storyteller in Residence at Middle Collegiate Church in Manhattan from 1996-2003, Jennifer created a dynamic community-based partnership for Families and Youth. In 2005, she collaborated with The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art as well as the Norman Rockwell Museum to create original programs for families. In addition to performing, developing residencies and after-school programs, Jennifer is a skilled workshop leader.

With a BA from Northwestern University Jennifer’s training includes graduate study at Bank Street College of Education with courses in Storytelling, Foundations of Education, and Developing Children’s Literacy through Folktale. She is an Affiliate of Amherst Writers & Artists and an AWA Writing Group Leader. Jennifer is a member of the League for the Advancement of New England Storytellers, the National Storytelling Network and the Youth, Educators and Storytellers Alliance. She is a published author of fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Founding Board Member, Michael Nelson is an award-winning designer and art director of children's books. He established MICHAEL NELSON DESIGN in 2002 to provide design, art direction and consulting services to children’s book publishers and illustrators.

Many of the titles that Michael has designed have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Booklist, and School Library Journal. In addition, he has designed ALA Notable Books, New York Times Best Illustrated Books, SCBWI Golden Kite and New York Book Show Award Winners. Mr. Nelson’s own artistic ventures, most notably his works on paper, have been exhibited in a variety of shows and have been represented by Markel/Sears Gallery in New York City. His work is in private collections across the country.