Cast Your Vote!
The ballot for the 2025-2026 election is now available. Members must log in to access the ballot and vote. Voting is open through Friday, April 11; results will be announced in early May. Candidates appear below in alphabetical order.
Election Overview
| President-Elect: | Michael Di Natale | Laura Ricci | Damita Snow |
| At-Large Members: | Michael Casp | Beth Craanen | Tim Lloyd |
| Jennifer Regala | Willa Liburd Tavernier |
Candidates for President-Elect
Michael Di Natale, Director, Digital Publishing, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Bio: Michael Di Natale has spent his career in scholarly communications at the intersection of publishing and technology and is currently the Director of Digital Publishing at AACR. Formerly, Mike served as Publishing Technology Manager at Science/AAAS where he led the Science journals platform migration. He also was responsible for BioOne’s successful transition to an independent content platform and invoicing system. He got his start as part of Aries Systems’ client services and later product management team and helped design tools for better editorial and production workflows.
Mike has been an active member of SSP for over 10 years and is honored to serve as an at-large member of the SSP Board of Directors, where he co-chaired the Membership Criteria Taskforce. He was previously a volunteer on the Marketing and Communications Committee, Early Career Subcommittee, and Membership Committee.
Vision Statement: I believe in SSP and its power to shape and support a thriving community of professionals. Volunteering with SSP has given me opportunities to develop a professional network and learn from the expertise of other members. I would not be where I am or who I am without the meaningful interactions and friendships I’ve cultivated because of the organization.
In our current moment, it is critical that SSP be a bulwark for the scholarly communications community. SSP must remain unwavering in its commitment to its core values of community, inclusivity, adaptability, and integrity. Continuing our dedication to our values will ensure that the next generation of publishing professionals is prepared to rise to new challenges.
As President, my goal will be to ensure that all members feel empowered to meet the moment through the professional support and connections they develop through SSP. I will ensure that the organization remains steadfast in support of its mission while evolving to meet the needs of the scholarly publishing community. I will work to expand the opportunities we have as a community to participate, develop professionally, and learn from each other’s experiences so that our members have the tools to be leaders in their workplace.
Laura Ricci, Senior Consultant, Clarke & Esposito
Bio: Laura Ricci is a Senior Consultant at Clarke & Esposito, a consulting and research firm with a focus on helping not-for-profit organizations navigate business and publishing issues. She leads a wide variety of projects and analyses for a diverse set of clients, and her specialty is helping professional societies and associations support organizational missions and priorities with sustainable financial and business strategies.
Prior roles give Laura expertise in market analysis (Outsell, Inc.) and channel management and partnerships (EBSCO); she has international work experience with a digital rights licensing agency in Oxford, UK, and developing custom textbooks in New Delhi, India. She holds an MA in International Publishing from Oxford Brookes University. Laura has been an SSP member since 2013. She is also an avid ultramarathon runner and race director and has two retired racing greyhounds (who run much faster than her).
Vision Statement: SSP stands firmly for the advancement of scholarship, the pursuit of scientific discovery, and the critical role of rigorous academic debate in expanding human knowledge. Supporting scholarly publishing means we support those who safeguard research integrity in an environment of information uncertainty and who demonstrate the value of research as public trust is low and funding faces increasing scrutiny.
SSP’s inclusivity is not merely a strength—it is essential. Like many, I appreciate the value of nuanced discussions about business models, funding policies, and optimal methods of communication. But the times call for a community where individuals can exchange knowledge and work together to address our deepest shared challenges:
- Attracting diverse professionals with a range of backgrounds, experiences, and skills to bring fresh ideas and execute established ones
- Empowering scholars to communicate their work with precision and clarity to academics, practitioners, and the greater public
- Maintaining the high standards that distinguish scholarly publishing and protecting the scholarly record for future generations
SSP is uniquely positioned to be this community. From my service as SSP Annual Meeting Program Committee co-chair, Board Member at Large, and Finance Committee member, I have supported SSP’s leadership of initiatives such as C4DISC and the Generations Fund. My career of working across organizations has given me insight into the diversity of stakeholders SSP must serve, and the brilliant and bold individuals who make up our industry. My vision of SSP is one that blends pragmatism with principle, where we support and empower our members to advance our shared, vital mission.
Damita Snow, Director, Accessibility & Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy, Publications & Standards, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Bio: Damita Snow has contributed to various facets of the scholarly publishing industry, including production, graphic design, and publishing technologies. Her exposure to SSP began in 2016 when she was invited to join a call to support an inclusivity initiative and develop a strategic plan for the SSP Board. Snow’s volunteer journey includes contributions to C4DISC programs and initiatives, creating content for The Scholarly Kitchen, organizing webinars, speaking on panels, creating policy documents, chairing the SSP DEIA Committee, and taking part in various other committees, subcommittees, and projects. Snow’s board and executive committee experience has allowed her to see the dedication of our board members. Their focus and care for the organization have imparted valuable lessons in management, collaboration, thoughtfulness, and transparency. In recognition of her efforts, she was honored with SSP’s Volunteer Appreciation Award in 2021. As a dedicated volunteer, she has witnessed the significant influence the organization has on its members.
Damita’s role at ASCE involves applying a DEIA lens to all aspects of publications and standards operations, strategy formulation, and decision-making. It includes creating strategies to support projects such as a journal’s equity audit, usability studies of the publications and standards website, and working with internal teams to create equitable systems related to the publications process. Additionally, she has obtained the ENV SP credential, which supports sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure. She also holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, signifying a dedicated association professional with the extensive knowledge and capabilities required to lead an association in today’s complex and evolving environment.
Vision Statement: It is with great honor that I accept the nomination for President-elect of SSP. I am proud to be a member of this community of enthusiastic, purposeful, and innovative individuals covering the many facets of scholarly publishing. In the face of inevitable challenges, we stay firm in our mission to advance scholarly publishing and support the development of our members. I have seen firsthand the exceptional work carried out by our committees in support of the SSP membership. We continually reinvent ourselves, adapting to changing needs by creating new avenues for learning and revenue generation. From the Training Committee’s Journals Academy to the DEIA Committee’s impactful initiatives, our community exemplifies creativity and innovation.
The EPIC Awards program, recognizing outstanding industry work, is a testament to our ongoing innovation. Our Benchmarking and Workforce Equity surveys enable us to check in with you and address your needs. Our partnerships, such as with C4DISC, whose volunteers work tirelessly on resources like the Toolkits for Equity, extend our influence beyond scholarly publishing. The recent Rapid Response event addressing attacks on DEIA principles and initiatives, vital to our global membership, involved many of our dedicated members.
If elected, I am committed to upholding our current initiatives and listening to the voices of our community when they signal the need to evolve existing activities or create new and exciting programs that embody the society’s mission. Despite the challenges and attacks on science and publishing we face; I stand ready to confront them with your support. To navigate the unprecedented times ahead, we must stay true to our core values and adapt as the environment demands. Times may be difficult, but we must unite and bolster the community we deeply care about. We must expand our global presence, continue to grow opportunities for those entering the industry, and always be the resource for current and emerging industry concerns. We are the truth-tellers, and the mission of SSP will propel us forward. Our shared values make us a strong global community. We are SSP, and despite the dimness of the current moment, we are the light that will move truth, community, and innovation forward.
Candidates for Member-at-Large
Michael Casp, Director, Atypon Business Development, Wiley
Bio: Michael began his career as a researcher, assisting with brain imaging studies at the Duke University Medical Center. In 2011, after finding the academic life too constraining, he transitioned to an entry-level job with J&J Editorial and began supporting journal processes, working in peer review and production roles for several different publishers.
As his experience grew, Michael began contributing to J&J marketing and sales, talking to publishers about their needs and helping them assemble services. When Wiley acquired J&J in 2021, he transitioned fully into business development, leveraging his publishing experience to collaborate with publishers to develop workflow solutions that combined services and technology.
In his current role, Michael works with publishers who are considering Wiley’s Atypon Experience Platform, understanding their goals and needs to identify where Wiley’s technology and professional services can add value and innovative capabilities to their publishing operations.
Current SSP Roles:
- Co-Chair of the SSP Marketing & Communications Committee
- Member of the Web Properties Steering Group, working in collaboration with DEIA Committee members to improve SSP web accessibility.
Vision Statement: During my time in our industry, I have witnessed both incredible achievements and catastrophic failures. Open research and digital communities have made knowledge more accessible than ever. Bad actors and threats to research integrity have made the publisher’s job more difficult than ever. Rapid technological development creates new risks and opportunities that we must sort through in real-time. Despite challenges, we continue to innovate, supporting the good while mitigating the bad.
SSP serves as a mixing bowl where diverse people and ideas come together. It’s a place where we learn, explore, and discover, where we achieve personal growth and form life-long bonds while helping our industry find its way through turbulent times.
We are a small community that makes a substantial impact on the broader world. Our interactions with early career researchers may help them publish their first paper and get their first grant, leading to a career of discoveries. Our organizational relationships make it possible to provide trusted research to investigators worldwide.
I am endlessly impressed with the individuals I have met in scholarly publishing. This work is not easy, and it only happens through the efforts of smart, dedicated professionals. Each piece of scholarship we publish is a marker of human progress, and the impact of our work will be felt for generations to come.
Beth Craanen, Senior Director, Global Editorial Operations, American Chemical Society (ACS)
Bio: With over 20 years of experience spanning leadership roles in academic and nonprofit settings, Beth Craanen is a seasoned professional known for driving transformative change and operational excellence. Currently serving as the Senior Director of Global Editorial Operations at ACS, Beth has oversight of three diverse business units, steering a team of 20 members toward sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.
Beth held pivotal positions including Assistant Director of Editorial Services at ACS and Director of Publications with The Electrochemical Society. At ECS, she played a significant role in pioneering innovative Open Access business models and transitioning the organization to a partnership with IOP Publishing.
With a solid foundation in academia, Beth contributed significantly to the establishment of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Pharmacy and held key consultative roles at institutions like MIT and Northeastern University. Beth’s multifaceted expertise encompasses strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, operational management, and program development.
Vision Statement: As a nominee for the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP) Board of Directors, I bring a multifaceted perspective shaped by my extensive experience in higher education and impactful contributions to prominent nonprofit societies. With the Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification from the American Society for Association Executives, I deeply understand the responsibilities of a Board of Directors in a nonprofit organization.
My vision for SSP is to foster an inclusive, innovative, and entrepreneurial environment that supports the evolving needs of scholarly communication. I am committed to championing initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring all voices within our community are heard and valued. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and cultivating collaborative partnerships, I aim to enhance the accessibility and impact of scholarly publishing, driving forward SSP’s mission to disseminate knowledge and advance research globally.
I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to SSP’s strategic direction and work alongside a dedicated team of professionals. Together, we can navigate challenges and seize opportunities, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for scholarly publishing.
Tim Lloyd, CEO, LibLynx
Bio: Tim Lloyd has been an active and involved member of SSP for over a decade. He served as co-chair of the Annual Meeting Program Committee from 2021-2024 and volunteers regularly to support a variety of Society initiatives, such as the mentorship program, educational webinars, and regional events. Tim also supports numerous community-led projects, including SeamlessAccess.org, STM’s Researcher Identity working group, and COUNTER.
Tim has 25 years of experience in scholarly publishing across a variety of product development and operational roles, with a particular focus on developing innovative products and services to support online learning and research. After launching the first streaming music database for libraries in 2003, he spent a decade publishing multimedia databases at Alexander Street Press and is currently CEO of LibLynx – a business he founded in 2014 to deliver more effective solutions in identity, access, and usage analytics.
Vision Statement: What makes SSP unique and valuable is its volunteer-driven community — and the diverse perspectives, innovations, and commitment to career development that this community collectively brings.
I first encountered SSP at the Boston annual meeting in 2011, where I was amazed to discover a vibrant community of people who also worked in scholarly publishing. I returned from that meeting buzzing with ideas, and excited about continuing the conversations I’d started. Over the years, it has made my life richer through the friends I’ve made and the personal growth and career opportunities it has presented.
My goal is to support SSP in enriching that experience for all our members – and to grow our community so that we have access to even more resources and opportunities in the future. I will continue the work I began in the Annual Meeting Program Committee to lower barriers to participation (particularly for non-traditional members), increase diversity of perspectives, and increase access to opportunities. Most importantly, I am committed to listening closely to SSP members and delivering the services and experiences that you are asking for. I look forward to serving you as a board member.
Jennifer Regala, Associate Director, Publishing, Wolters Kluwer Health
Bio: In her role as Associate Director of Publishing at Wolters Kluwer Health, Jennifer Regala works with award-winning news magazine publications, including Oncology Times and Emergency Medicine News. Jennifer has worked in scholarly publishing for 20+ years, most recently as the Director of Publications/Executive Editor at the American Urological Association. Currently, Jennifer is the co-chair of the SSP Regional Subcommittee, a member of SSP’s Annual Meeting Program Committee, an SSP Fellowship Mentor, and a 2022 recipient of the SSP Appreciation Award. Jennifer’s personal motto is: “It’s free to be nice and to comb your hair.”
Vision Statement: SSP is my professional home, and my vision for serving on the SSP Board is to foster a genuine sense of belonging for every member of our organization while welcoming as many new members as possible to contribute to and share their voices within our vibrant community. It wasn’t until later in my career that I had the opportunity to join SSP, and I attribute my personal relevance and the fulfillment of my life’s work to the support and friendships I have found here.
I envision strengthening our commitment to doing what is right, not just for scholarly publishing but for the global population that relies on our important work. Although we have faced many challenges in our history of scholarly publishing, the political climate in the United States in 2025 revitalizes our unwavering focus on SSP’s enduring mission: “SSP will be recognized by members and the global publishing community as the primary source for information and dialogue on current and emerging issues in scholarly communication.” I will work passionately with the SSP Board to uphold this mission and our core values: community, inclusivity, adaptability, and integrity.
Willa Liburd Tavernier, Research Impact & Open Scholarship Librarian, IU Bloomington
Bio: With a previous background in law, Willa Liburd Tavernier works in the Scholarly Communication Department at Indiana University, Bloomington, as the Research Impact & Open Scholarship Librarian. She manages the research impact service and the open access publishing support program. Professionally, Willa has served within the Society for Scholarly Publishing, NASIG, and the Library Publishing Coalition. Currently, she serves on the SPARC Steering Committee, the Bristol University Press Library Advisory Board, and the Library Partnership Rating Advisory Council. Her research interests are scholarly communication, governance, trust, and sustainability.
Willa approaches her work and professional service with a networked perspective, a commitment to relationship building, and an ethic of care. She seeks to understand the connections between people, opportunities, and resources that might not be immediately apparent to facilitate collaboration, foster innovation, and craft solutions.
Vision Statement: SSP was my first professional organization, having benefited from an early career fellowship and an invaluable mentorship experience that provided socialization to librarianship and its interconnectedness to scholarly publishing and other facets of scholarly communication. I’ve benefited from professional relationships built through serving on the Annual Meeting Committee for several years and professional collaborations with other members – vendors, publishers, and librarians – over the years. These relationships are the heart of SSP, and it is because of these interconnections that SSP provides an environment that holds space for differing viewpoints while fostering openness and mutual respect. My vision is to build a future that centers people and relationships in how we think about building the future of scholarly communication. We’re currently dealing with an environment in constant change and where uncertainty is pervasive. When we center people and relationships, we’ll always have a solid starting point for our decision-making and responses.
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