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Michelle strengthens the urban library role in local ecosystems and advances partnerships and programs resulting in systemic change. She is known and respected throughout public libraries for her leadership to diversify the profession, to serve marginalized communities and to increase racial and social equity. Prior to joining ULC, Michelle served as Prince George's County Memorial Library System's chief operating officer and led the mission, vision, innovation and operations of the library's 19 branches and the county detention center.
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Cassie Miller (she/her) is an experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioner with over a decade of experience in education, public libraries, and organizational leadership. As the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Baltimore County Public Library, she leads system-wide initiatives to advance equity, accessibility, and community engagement. Her work focuses on integrating DEI into library operations, training staff, and fostering psychological safety in the workplace. With a background in international education and human resources, Cassie brings a nuanced perspective to conversations about identity, privilege, power, and conflict in leadership. She is passionate about helping library leaders develop reflective practices that create more inclusive and responsive library services, even in the face of today’s political challenges.
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Levon Williams (he/him) is a consultant, facilitator, and change agent. He serves as a passionate thought partner supporting organizations through transformative change processes with his consulting firm Rooted in Equity. Levon was formally a Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) Senior Fellow for the American Alliance of Museums’ Facing Change Initiative, working directly with boards of trustees to create more inclusive and equitable board cultures. He also served as a Lead Mediator at the Community Justice and Mediation Center in Bloomington, Indiana where he was trained in Community Mediation and Restorative Justice practices. Since 2019 Levon has collaborated directly with leaders at all levels of organizations, supporting them in having important and challenging conversations, navigating conflict, and charting a path forward. Levon is based in Reston, Virginia, and holds a master's degree in Library Science and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University. Adaptive Leadership strategies, systems thinking, and self reflection in service of collective liberation are his jam.
