Nadia Devi Umadat is a Canadian Social Worker. She has a Master's degree in Social Work and a Graduate Diploma in Refugee and Migration Studies from York University. Until 2021, she was a Youth Mental Health Counsellor for over 5 years, primarily supporting refugee families who had experiences of war, torture, crimes against humanity and genocide. Her first children's book The Most Beautiful Thing I Have Ever Seen was selected by the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) as one of "40 Canadian kids' books to read in spring 2023." Her work was inspired by her adventures with Syrian children and youth during their initial stages of Canadian resettlement.

From performing Frankenstein scenes for students in the Swiss Alps to growing Tabletop Roleplaying Clubs for schools and libraries, Zachary has spent over a decade striving to engage young adults with the arts and humanities through storytelling. As a curriculum and program development lead across a number of institutions, Zachary has collaborated with brilliant colleagues to build lasting communities that counter the endemic isolation of scarcity politics. These efforts have recently brought him to the Toronto District School board, where he teaches English and runs Roleplaying and Public Speaking Clubs.

Alex Nicholls is a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Art Therapist (DTATI). He is also the Founder of Alexander Nicholls - Psychotherapy and Co-Founder of Storied Therapy - where he specializes in using Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons, alongside Art Therapy, to provide individual and group support for a wide and diverse demographic of clients ages 7-107 (and beyond). 
 
Addressing identity formation, social skills development, and navigating neurodivergence - Alex encourages clients to use their own powers of creativity and imagination to inspire growth on their journey towards health and healing. 
 
In June of this year Alex received the Dr. Martin Fischer Award for contributions to the field of art therapy from the Toronto Art Therapy Institute (TATI) and hopes to eventually train others in this exciting and innovative approach to therapy.
 
Alex lives with his wife Meghan and their 2 cats Henry and Lincoln in North West Mississauga where they spend their time either relaxing or getting ready for their next exciting adventure!

Morgan has been a librarian for 10 years, with almost all of that time in teen services. After starting his career in rural North Idaho, he joined Toronto Public Library in 2019. Morgan is currently a Youth Hub Librarian at the Don Mills Branch. A lifelong ga(y)mer and crafty person, he enjoys sharing his love of board games, video games, and crochet with the teens.

MD is a musician, library worker and story game enthusiast based in Toronto, Ontario.

A communal creature, they are the past host of Hot Spring Jam, the current host of Story Games Toronto, and the forever host of dinner parties, game nights and playful programs for library people of all ages. They belive that one of their greatest goods is cultivating community, bringing together creative people of all kinds around kitchen tables and helping them safely explore their hearts and their imaginations.

MD loves to sing, dance, roller skate, play Magic the Gathering, look at trees, and advocate for a safer, kinder world. They want to hear about your D&D character, pinky swear.

Rachel Palmieri is the Health Literacies Specialist at Vaughan Public Libraries. In her position she oversees health literacy services and initiatives for the Vaughan community. She supports Mackenzie Health staff for their health and medical research needs, as part of an partnership between Mackenzie Health and Vaughan Public Libraries, and liaises with hospital staff to develop innovative ways of enriching the patient experience.

Larysa is the Children’s Services Coordinator at the Midland Public Library. She has worked in public libraries since high school, as a page, and eventually became a librarian after realizing that teacher’s college was definitely not for her. Larysa began her career at Toronto Public Library where she worked at multiple branches and departments across the city, in several different roles. Eventually, city life became too much for her, despite being born in Toronto, and she retreated to the countryside to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a small town girl.

Daniela Pacini is the Teen Advocate at Vaughan Public Libraries. She started her career as a Youth Services Librarian and soon embraced the chance to address the unique opportunities and challenges faced by teens. Daniela passionately advocates for library services, resources, and initiatives that empower teens to flourish in a diverse and ever-changing community.

Cynthia Phillips is the Children's Advocate Librarian at Vaughan Public Libraries. As part of this role, she and her team of Youth Services Librarians and Information staff collaborate to develop and deliver content-rich programming that is grounded in our library's mandate and strategic vision, for students and staff in local schools.

Brooke is the amazing and superstar Teen Services Librarian at the Stratford Public Library, and she has worked with teenagers as both a high school teacher and librarian for over 15 years. Originally wanting to be the lovechild of Kathy Reichs and Indiana Jones, Brooke stumbled into the field of teen services but quickly fell in love with it. When not drowning in program and outreach work, she's binging her favorite shows over and over and over!