Bay Area
WOMEN in PUBLISHING
BAWiP’s 2024–2025 MENTORSHIP COHORT
See past cohorts from 2023–2024, 2022–2023, 2021–2022, and 2020–2021.
Mentors
Emily Boyd
Emily Boyd is the editorial director at North Atlantic Books. She has been with NAB since 2003, led there by her interest in alternative health modalities. She received her BA in communications from UCLA and her MS in print journalism from Boston University. Emily is a board member and conference committee co-chair for the Publishing Professionals Network (PPN) and enjoys reading actual print books, walking, hanging with cats, and cooking.
Susan Bumps
A publishing professional with more than two decades of experience, Susan received a BA in English and creative writing from UC Davis and an MFA in English and creative writing from Mills College. Besides working at NAB, her favorite job has been writing entries for The Book of Symbols (Taschen). In her free time, she likes to listen to audiobooks, play Octordle, make soup, hike, and commune with nature at her favorite place, the ocean.
Elizabeth Dougherty
A developmental editor, book coach, and writer for more than 35 years, Elizabeth Dougherty specializes in prescriptive nonfiction (bestbookeditor.com). Her focus areas include health, parenting, and leadership. She’s the coauthor of the upcoming book From Expert to Author: Transform Your Nonfiction Book Idea into a Finished Manuscript (2025).
Briana James
Bri is an illustrator (who writes) for kids and food people. She is known for her vibrant and joyful visual narratives which celebrate both ancestral wisdom and everyday life. She’s been featured in The New York Times, Inc. Magazine, Edible East Bay, and Eater, among others. Bri lives in Oakland, California with her partner, kiddo, cairn terrier, and trio of chickens. You can find her online at brijames.com and on instagram @artish.reader. Her forthcoming project, Young Historians Club: Black American History is forthcoming January 7, 2025 with Union Square & Co.
Susan Malloy
Susan Malloy is Acquisitions and Development Manager at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), where she manages publication of the curriculum for US and international ophthalmology residents. She enjoys working in a non-profit, mission-driven environment. Prior to AAO, she worked for over 20 years in college textbook publishing, project managing first editions and revisions in health, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, sociology, and other areas. In her spare time, she plays tennis, walks her dog, and hangs out with family and friends.
Christina Mott
Christina Mott (she/her) is the Sales Operations Manager and co-chair of the Hybrid Work Committee at University of California Press. Before UC Press, Christina was in the Sales Distribution Dept at Chronicle Books serving as a Client Manager for publishers such as Galison/Mudpuppy and Princeton Architectural Press. She enjoys exploring the world, seeing live music, and hanging out with furry friends.
Dena Rayess
Dena Rayess (she/her) is an editor based in San Francisco, CA. She works on creating smart and charming publishing, from quirky single-subject cookbooks to bite-sized lifestyle subjects and gifts. Some of her favorite books she’s edited include Chili Crisp by James Park, Shitty Craft Club by Sam Reece, and Your Pasta Sucks by Matteo Lane.
Gayle Wattawa
Gayle Wattawa (she/her) has worked at Heyday, a place-focused nonfiction and nonprofit publisher, for the last twenty years. In 2020, she transitioned from editorial director to general manager, now co-running the company with the publisher. She lives in Oakland.
Mentees
Elizabeth Aranda
Elizabeth Aranda (she/her) is a Sacramento native with a deep passion for writing and reading. A recent UC Berkeley graduate, she majored in Rhetoric with an emphasis on Public Discourse and a minor in Creative Writing. Previously working as a writer for the Daily Californian and a disability justice committee member for the American Civil Liberties Union, she plans to pursue a future in editorial work, writing, and advocating for her passions such as disability rights and nature conservation.
Michelle Black
Michelle is an artist and designer who lives and works in Oakland. She attended California College of the Arts where she received an interdisciplinary BFA in sculpture, printmaking, book arts, and writing. While at CCA their work focused on sculptural aspects of unbound book forms with the intention of inviting the viewer to become a collaborator. Michelle is currently a Design and Production Associate at University of California Press, but has worn many hats professionally including Wine Merchant, Screenprinter, and Artist’s Assistant.
Niki Borghei
Niki is a book-obsessed media and public relations professional who began her career at a biotech nonprofit, aiding early-stage startups with PR campaigns. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and graduated with high honors from UC Berkeley, where she double majored in English and Classics. Niki also holds certificates from Columbia Business School and Imperial College Business School. In her free time, she volunteers with nonprofits, providing support in marketing, creative strategy, and content development. She also enjoys creative writing and has been published by Perspective Magazine, Heritage Roses Journal, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Jennifer Bravo
Jennifer Bravo (she/her) is an aspiring book publishing professional with a passion for storytelling and content creation. She has graduated from New York University's Summer Publishing Institute in 2024, along with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from San Jose State University. She is currently expanding her portfolio by creating digital and social media marketing content for local indie bookstore, Caspian Books. You can always find her nuzzled in with a book or out traveling and exploring inspiring places around her.
Yulissa Diaz
Yulissa is a first-generation Latina professional and a recent UC Berkeley graduate with a diverse background in community engagement and mental health advocacy. As a recent UC Berkeley undergrad, her experience spans from supporting marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC individuals, to addressing digital literacy gaps and facilitating virtual support programs for students. Yulissa’s work with underserved communities has given her a deep understanding of the importance of representation and access to resources, driving her passion for multicultural marketing.
With her strong foundation in community empowerment and mental health advocacy, Yulissa’s goal is to leverage her unique insights and experiences to drive inclusive and impactful strategies in multicultural marketing, where she can continue advocating for diversity and representation.
Olivia Guimarães
Olivia is a literary translator and the Children’s Editorial Assistant at Chronicle Books, where she previously was the Art Editorial Fellow. She holds a B.A in Graphic Arts from UFMG (Brazil), where she began her path in bookmaking and never looked back. As a translator, Olivia works between Portuguese and English, having works published by Edições Chão da Feira and forthcoming by Editora Âyiné. As a children's books editor, she loves to work on books that challenge and excite readers, both in the world and on the page.She lives in Oakland, CA.
Alice McLean
Developmental editor Alice McLean, PhD, collaborates with nonfiction authors to navigate the journey from concept to polished manuscript. For over two decades, Alice has worked with professional writers, ranging from award-winning journalists to senior scholars, and has edited and written for academic presses, international journals, and national magazines. Alice enjoys collaborating with scholars who are writing for a general audience. She works with authors in the humanities and social sciences and specializes in feminist studies, food studies, American history, and US literature. With a doctorate in English, she has authored three books of nonfiction and has taught writing at the graduate and undergraduate levels.