Every Child a Reader staff

You can contact us directly by clicking each name or find more contact information on our CONTACT US page.

Shaina Birkhead, Associate Executive Director

Just having celebrated her 12th anniversary at the Every Child a Reader, Shaina’s focus is on creating, growing, and maintaining programs and partnerships that support the work of the CBC’s member publishers, increase awareness of children’s books, and address important topics affecting the industry at large. Her main responsibilities have been the coordination of the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program and of the national Children’s Book Week, now celebrating its 106th anniversary. Before her work at the CBC and Every Child a Reader, Shaina received a BFA in Dance from UNC-Greensboro and had an exciting career in restaurant service and management. Shaina’s fascination with and adoration of creators in many disciples fuels her own passion for books and for making things with her hands. She lives in Atlanta and welcomed Theo and Ruby into the world in 2020 and 2021. Favorite non-work things: Coney Island, collecting books, and making things (like quilts).

Laura Peraza, Head of Content, UX/UI, and Design

Laura is a curious designer, communicator, and strategic thinker with experience in innovative visual content, digital technologies, copywriting, and project management. She has conducted the organization’s digital media design, as well as overseen a redesign of CBC’s website and a restructuring of CBC’s Award processes. She now brings her interpersonal skills and over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector and publishing to support CBC and Every Child a Reader communications, content, and partnerships. She previously worked at World Book Night US, Vintage Español, Open Road, and a law firm. She is a chronic lifelong learner with studies in law, journalism, advertising, publishing, and digital media. Fluent in English and Spanish, with some French, she currently resides in Miami. Favorite non-work things: meditation, museums, and triathlons.

Carl Lennertz, Executive Director

Carl has held executive positions at several publishing houses and non-profits. He was VP of Marketing at Knopf for 10 years and held marketing positions at HarperCollins and Little, Brown. He organized over 2,000 national author tours and oversaw bestselling book campaigns as well as debut launches. He published a book with Random House and has edited over 25 books. Lennertz taught marketing at the University of Denver for 11 years. His non-profit and association work includes the ABA (working on a national campaign for independent bookstores), World Book Night US (where 250,000 free books were handed out to people in need each year on April 23), and now as the CBC and Every Child a Reader Executive Director for six years. He has lived in upstate NY’s Adirondacks since 2019. Favorite non-work things: Liverpool FC, chocolate, and vinylLPs. 

Sommer Wissner, Program Coordinator

Sommer is a lifelong fan of children’s and YA literature, so publishing was the way to go for her. After bouncing around the southern US states where she eventually got her BA in English at Auburn University, she ventured North (a bit) to attend the Denver Publishing Institute in Colorado. She discovered that book marketing was the dream, and she actually moved north to live in New York City to find opportunities. It was in the Big Apple that she began her journey with the CBC as an intern…during 2020. Despite the timing, she pressed on and decided to finally settle in Denver as the happy medium place for her between the north and south. In 2022, she became a full time CBCer, coordinating for the book award programs and working with the Graphic Novel Committee. After work, you can usually find her at home watching TV with her chonky cat Milo napping nearby. Favorite non-work things: playing video games (a PlayStation fan all the way!), performing karaoke at the local bar or at home, and cozy, rainy days.

Paulina Ramirez, Associate Program Coordinator

Paulina found her passion for writing at a very young age. She received a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso and studied abroad in Northern England, learning about the life and poetry of William Wordsworth. Paulina worked in the service industry for seven years, as well as tutoring elementary students in reading and writing, before she landed at the CBC. As Associate Program Coordinator, Paulina currently works the CBC Diversity Committee and the Early Career Committee. She also oversees the CBC and Every Child a Reader social media pages, and has recently began working closely with CBC Associate Members. She currently resides in Texas with her two lovely dogs. Favorite non-work things: cooking, practicing yoga, and going on walks with her dog Fiona.