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| Hannah Walcher | |
Hannah Walcher of Books Inc., which has 11 stores in the Bay Area, has been named executive director of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance (CALIBA). For the past decade at Books Inc., Walcher has been a bookseller, children's events coordinator, book fair manager, and currently executive director of Books Inc.'s Reading Bridge, a 501(c)(3) literary nonprofit providing children throughout the Bay Area with access to new, diverse, and inclusive books via school book fairs.
Walcher is succeeding co-executive director Ann Seaton, who had planned to retire at the end of 2023 and is currently serving as interim director of CALIBA, and Kristin Rasmussen, who left the co-executive director position for a role as Scholastic district sales manager in December. Walcher will begin part-time work for CALIBA in March as she transitions between her executive director roles, and will become CALIBA's full-time executive director in June.
Valentina Moberg, who has been an admin with CALIBA since 2020, is becoming operations manager. Emma Marie will continue in her role, primarily managing marketing and promotions, while backing up all things CALIBA.
Walcher said, "First, I would like to thank Books Inc., my home-away-from-home, for the chances they gave me to grow professionally, which have prepared me for this next chapter as CALIBA's executive director. I am grateful for this opportunity to serve CALIBA's members and continue the important mission of promoting the vitality, diversity, and prosperity of independent bookselling throughout California. I look forward to getting on the road and meeting as many of our members as possible! Independent booksellers show the way."
CALIBA board president Melinda Powers of Bookshop Santa Cruz said, "California independent booksellers are as myriad and wonderful as our bookshelves--full of tastemakers, innovators, and economic engines, local gems and cultural touchstones--and Hannah has the experience, vision, and enthusiasm to bring us together, strengthen our community, increase our impact on the industry and our state, and lead us in a time that needs books and our bookstores more than ever."