Allison (she/her/hers) is the founder of Read & Run Chicago. She works in education by day and spends her free time traveling, freelance writing, running, reading, and jumping in Lake Michigan (when it's not freezing!), among other hobbies. You can read more about her and her story here.

Maria Fernanda (she/her/hers) is from Ecuador and has lived in Chicago for 22 years. She and her husband have an 11 year old daughter who is starting middle school this year. She’s an educator, baker, and runner. She loves to read, cook, get crafty, and when there’s more free time, explore new places with her family and friends. She is always on the lookout for a fabulous bakery!

Christopher Smith (he/him/his) was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and is the founder of the L.Y.D. Foundation, which is all about promoting health, financial and mental wellness. From youth mentoring, mental health advocacy, financial literacy, sports camps, college scholarships, fresh food initiatives, senior outreach and back to school giveaways, L.Y.D. wants to serve underserved communities in as many ways as possible. Through partnerships with other organizations, the flagship “Running for Something” campaign and community outreach, we aim to help create a more equitable society.

Quinn Sluzenski (she/they) is the Digital Initiatives assistant at the Newberry Library and a member of the Engagement & Expressions Committee at Gerber/Hart Library and Archives. They are currently pursuing a MS in Library and Information Science at UIUC. When she's not reading, running, or librarying, she's playing with her cats or watching musicals.

Cynthia (she/her/hers) is the founder and organizer of Black Girls Read Book Club. A lawyer by day, history buff, and Uptown transplant, Cynthia enjoys reading and learning more about this city that she has called home for nearly a decade.

John (he/him/his) has been a CPS teacher for 14 years working with a wide array of students and young adults throughout Chicago. He has written and taught curriculums focused on the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and of course, Chicago. He volunteers at the non-profit, Open Books, which promotes literacy throughout the city, he is part of numerous book clubs, and juggles reading at least 5 other books at any given time.

Magaly (she/her/hers) is a Mexican-American former teacher with over 10 years experience working with Spanish Bilingual students. In her free time, she enjoys running, volunteering for nonprofit organizations, attending street festivals, and visiting family in Mexico. She was called to guide this run because she identifies with certain aspects that the main character, Julia, experienced growing up in a Mexican household in Chicago.

Ryan (she/her/hers) is a runner, reader, public library lover, and West Town resident with roots in the Chicagoland area. She also hates mushrooms, which is absurd so you should definitely talk to her about it.

Cindy Kuzma (she/her/hers) is a freelance writer, author, and podcaster in Chicago. She writes frequently about running for Runner’s World and other outlets; has co-authored two books, Breakthrough Women’s Running: Dream Big and Train Smart and Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries, and co-hosts the Injured Athletes Club podcast. She has also completed 23 marathons, including four in Chicago.

Carla Benton (she/her/hers) is a Chicago-based runner, 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon ambassador, and book editor. Though she serves as a copy editor and proofreader across all genres, she has contributed to several recent running titles, including those by Peter Sagal, Becky Wade, and Ed Caesar, as well as Deena Kastor's Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory, for which she provided proofreading duties ahead of its release in 2018.

Chelsey (she/her/hers) can’t decide if she loves reading or running more. Thanks to Read & Run, she doesn’t have to. Check her out on Twitter @Chelsey_Reads and Instagram @ChelseyGrassfield.