Our Team

Natalie Friedl

Executive Director
natalie@kidsbookbank.org
216.367.9009

Natalie leads the Kids’ Book Bank team with enthusiasm and energy. A proud mama to four sons, she loves spending time with them and watching them play sports. Her two Newfoundlands also keep her company! She is passionate about literacy, education, and health.

Her favorite children’s books are the Frog and Toad series.

Colleen Watt

Operations Director
colleen@kidsbookbank.org
216.417.1803

Colleen keeps the Kids’ Book Bank running smoothly, overseeing all aspects of our operations. She loves people, and she loves books. Colleen enjoys camping and bike riding.

Colleen’s favorite children’s book is The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch.

Jessica Walsh-Frazier

Community Outreach Director
jessica@kidsbookbank.org
216.417.1803

Jessica works with our community partners to better understand their needs and help us improve our programs to best serve the families and children we support. Jessica loves to read, travel, swim, and bike. A lifelong Clevelander, she’s a huge Browns fan.

Her favorite children’s book is The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.

Leslie FitzSimmons

Communications Manager
leslief@kidsbookbank.org
216.417.1803

Leslie is passionate about sharing our story and impact with the world. Her history with the Kids’ Book Bank dates back to the month after we opened when she came to volunteer to sort books—the rest is history! Leslie loves to read and spend time with her family and two Goldendoodles.

Leslie’s favorite children’s book is Muldoon by Pamela Duncan Edwards & Henry Cole.

Devin McNulty-DeMarco

Volunteer Services Manager
devin@kidsbookbank.org
216.417.1803

Devin is passionate about giving back to the community and making sure volunteers are supported and recognized for their dedication. She loves to sail, travel, play games with her family, and read to her young daughter.

Devin’s favorite children’s book is Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Steve Maistros

Warehouse / Inventory Coordinator
steve@kidsbookbank.org
216.417.1803

Steve is the Kids’ Book Bank jack-of-all-trades, assisting people picking up and dropping off books, keeping track of our inventory, and making sure our warehouse keeps humming along. Don’t let Steve’s quiet demeanor fool you—he’s got a great wry sense of humor!

Steve’s favorite children’s book is Switch On The Night by Ray Bradbury.

Jeremy Winston

Driver
jeremy@kidsbookbank.org
216.417.1803

Jeremy keeps our books moving – literally. He delivers orders to partners and also empties many of our outdoor collection bins. Jeremy likes to be on the road meeting partners and young readers. He loves all sports, especially Cleveland teams.

Jeremy’s favorite children’s book is the Junie B. Jones series that he reads with his daughter.

Christine Diamond

Volunteer Services Assistant

Christine has a passion for everything related to homes and gathers great joy in working with teachers and elementary school children. She is an avid walker who adores Lake Erie’s stunning scenery.

Her favorite children’s book is The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton.

HerBrina Shepherd

Volunteer Services Assistant

HerBrina is a woman of her word, filled with purpose, devotion, and diligence. She looks for and creates opportunities to be of service to others. Her passion for education and literacy is evident through her work at the Kids’ Book Bank.

HerBrina’s favorite children’s book is Matilda by Roald Dahl.

Kay Tran

Volunteer Services Assistant

Kay loves to learn new things, meet people, and bond over a shared love of books. She is newer to Cleveland and enjoys exploring coffee shops and restaurants in the area. Give her your recommendations!

Her favorite children’s book is The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne.

Somalia Garrison

Volunteer Services Assistant

Somalia loves to help others and is passionate about diversity and making sure everyone feels valued and accepted. They enjoy reading, writing, and playing mystery/puzzle games.

Their favorite children’s book is the Judy Moody series.

Brian Coyne

Volunteer Services Assistant

Brian is an avid outdoor enthusiast who finds joy in exploring nature’s wonders. He’s equally passionate about the Cleveland Guardians as well as giving back to his local community via multiple volunteering efforts.

Brian’s favorite children’s book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

Amanda Coyne

Volunteer Services Assistant

Amanda is a sustainability enthusiast who loves outdoor adventures and being an active member of her community. You’ll often find her exploring hiking trails, volunteering at local events, and supporting nearby businesses.

Amanda’s favorite children’s book is The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

Estefany Rodriguez Ware

Volunteer Services Assistant

Estefany is passionate about educational access and giving back to her community. Being involved with the Kids’ Book Bank has been one of her favorite forms of service over the past few years. She enjoys reading, lifting weights, and hiking at the Cleveland Metroparks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Estefany’s favorite book is Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo.

Board of Directors

Ellen Mattingly
Governance Committee Chair
Retired HR Director—North America, RAND Corporation

Angelo Olmeda
HR Manager, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

Teresa Podracky
In-Patient Rehabilitation Manager, University Hospitals​

Kevin Pulte
VP, Wholesale Marketing, The Americas Group, The Sherwin-Williams Co.

Marlon Primes
Co-Chair of Business & Tort Litigation Group, Brennan Manna Diamond​

Kristen Saada
External Committee Chair
Community Volunteer

Nick Schappacher
SVP and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, KeyCorp

Directors Emeriti
Judy Payne
Co-Founder and Retired Executive Director, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank
Founder and Executive Director, GoodsBank NEO

Margaret Bernstein
Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives, WKYC