BRAIN TRUST 2025
PubU is developed BY Christian publishers FOR Christian publishers to train, connect, and inspire—through sharing what they know best about their discipline: best-practices, interactive discussions, and action learning.
Jerri Helms
LEAD
Jerri Helms is the Vice President of Digital Marketing and Analytics at HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP), where she leverages over 15 years of extensive experience in digital marketing strategies. Since 2018, Jerri has provided strategic leadership to HCCP's Marketing Operations team, guiding key initiatives across various digital marketing areas. Her responsibilities also include overseeing the Consumer Insights team, driving data-informed decisions to shape publishing strategies, and managing the Online Optimization Team, championing consistent SEO and metadata best practices company-wide. Furthermore, Jerri serves on the SEO Global Council at NewsCorp, the parent company of HarperCollins. A regular speaker at industry conferences, Jerri has delivered engaging presentations at numerous Digital Summit events, focusing on evolving content strategy, copywriting, and search engine optimization. Her sessions highlight her expertise in the intersection of artificial intelligence and advanced SEO techniques for maximizing digital visibility and audience engagement. Additionally, she has contributed valuable insights as a panelist in high-profile discussions, such as "AI and Re-shaping Marketing" during the DMWF Expo North America.
Katara Washington Patton
EDITORIAL
Katara Washington Patton is Executive Editor, VOICES Collection by Our Daily Bread Publishing, and the author of eight books, including her most recent best-selling book Navigating the Blues: Where to Turn When Worry, Anxiety, or Depression Steal Your Hope (Our Daily Bread VOICES 2022). A publishing veteran, Katara has worked in the editorial and acquisitions departments at Weekly Reader Corporation, Jet Magazine, Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI), McGraw-Hill, The African American Pulpit, The Chicago Defender, Tyndale House Publishers, and Christian Century Magazine. In 2014, she was named Nonfiction Editor of the Year by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). Katara graduated summa cum laude from Dillard University (New Orleans, LA), with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications and English. She then earned a Master of Journalism in magazine publishing from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (Evanston, IL). She also received a Masters of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston, IL), where she received the outstanding preaching award. Katara is a native of Thibodaux, Louisiana. She and her husband, Derrick, reside on the South Side of Chicago.
Bob Gaudet
MARKETING & PUBLICITY
Bob Gaudet is the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Publicity for Baker Publishing Group where his mission is to help readers find the next book they’ll love. He oversees marketing, PR, and cover design for all six of Baker’s divisions: Baker Books, Revell, Bethany House, Chosen, Baker Academic, and Brazos. Bob is passionate about building talented teams with diverse backgrounds that are entrusted, trained, and empowered to make data-driven decisions.
David Almack
SALES
David Almack is an experienced and innovative leader in the Christian publishing and retail industry. He is the current Director of Sales, Marketing and Acquisitions for P&R Publishing in Phillipsburg, NJ and was previously the National Director for CLC USA and Publisher for CLC Publications for over twenty years. His time in CLC included oversight of their US based Christian retail stores and management of a store in Philadelphia whose sales quadrupled in a six-year time frame. He is also the Director of the Academy of Christian Editors, an avid reader and a fan of the Tottenham Hotspurs Football team in the Premier League.
Jennifer (Jenn) Butenschoen
PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS
Jennifer (Jenn) Butenschoen is the Director of Production & Digital Content at Harvest House Publishers. Jenn overseas a stellar production team that collaborates with multiple departments to effectively facilitate the creation of company product. She manages global manufacturing, eBook distribution and licensing, and related industry partnerships for both. As a seasoned publishing professional, Jenn has a passion for working together to create beautiful, high quality, gospel-centered product that glorifies God and points people to Jesus Christ as the answer to every human need. Jenn is an outdoor enthusiast that lives in the Pacific Northwest where she and her husband enjoy spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys serving as a leadership coach for the small groups ministry at her home church.
Shannon Marchese
CHILDREN'S SUMMIT
Shannon Marchese is VP and Publisher of Tommy Nelson, the children’s imprint for Thomas Nelson. With more than 20 years of experience in producing and promoting Christian books, Marchese most recently served as executive editor at the Christian publishing imprints within Penguin Random House, WaterBrook & Multnomah and Convergent. In this role she led the growth of their children’s publishing division, as well as the acquisition and editorial direction for many of their top authors. Before working in editorial, Marchese spent seven years in publicity, making her a dynamic and strategic communicator. She originally hails from Ohio, but she and her family call Colorado Springs home.
Mary Manz Simon
CHILDREN'S SUMMIT
Dr. Mary Manz Simon is a familiar name in the children’s space. As an author, her books have sold more than three million copies in English and are in eleven languages. A media personality, Simon hosted Front Porch Parenting, a one-minute daily on more than three hundred radio stations for nearly fifteen years. A presenter at conventions of the American Booksellers Association and for more than twenty years at the popular “Children’s trends” workshop of the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA), she earned a doctorate in education from St. Louis University.
Tim Thornborough
RIGHTS
Tim Thornborough is the founder and Publishing Director of The Good Book Company. Tim worked as a journalist in the Middle East for many years before starting The Good Book Company in his front room in 1991. Since then it has grown to become one of the largest UK-based Christian publishers with a worldwide operation. He spends most of his working time developing contacts and relationships with international publishers, and overseeing the rapidly growing rights department. Tim is a trained business mentor and loves nothing more than helping Christian publishers worldwide work out how to move forward through the many technological, legal, practical and financial challenges of getting great gospel literature into the hands of those who will benefit from it. Tim is the author of The Very Best Bible Stories series, and has contributed to many books published by The Good Book Company and others. He is married to Kathy, and they have three adult daughters.
Deborah Sáenz
EMERGING LEADERS
Deborah Sáenz is an acquisitions and developmental editor for NavPress, specializing in Christian non-fiction. She has worked in book publishing for 15 years as a marketer, collaborator, and editor. She received a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Northwestern University and a certificate in manuscript editing from the University of Chicago. Deeply committed to elevating underrepresented voices, her passion lies in collaborating with authors of color and helping to increase BIPOC representation in traditional publishing. Originally from the U.S.-Mexico border town of Laredo, Texas, she currently resides in San Antonio.
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