By Emily Whalen, Finance Manager
Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women around the world, and to reflect on the impact they have in our everyday lives. This year’s theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” invites us to think more broadly about what sustainability truly means. It goes beyond environmental efforts to include financial stability, strong communities, thoughtful leadership and opportunities for future generations. Women are at the forefront of this work, driving progress through innovation, advocacy, education and civic engagement. Their efforts help create systems that support both people and the planet in meaningful, lasting ways. At KDL, we are proud to celebrate the incredible women who contribute their talents and passion every day to make our libraries welcoming, inspiring spaces for all.
Rachel Cruzan
This is my 28th year with KDL, where I serve as a Lead Collection Services Assistant. In my role, I help transform materials like books, audiobooks, movies, music and video games into library-ready items that can be shared across branches, while also leading training efforts, maintaining documentation and supporting the team with cataloging and processing questions. I am especially proud to have been part of the workgroup that brought the Automatic Material Handling sorter to KDL, which helps improve how materials move through the system. I draw inspiration from my mother, who homeschooled my two younger brothers and me from kindergarten through high school at a time when that was not common, while also managing a household and working as a freelance seamstress.
Shelley Roossien
I have been part of KDL for over 21 years, serving as the Accessibility & Inclusion Specialist and leading the Talking Book & Braille Center program. In my role, I am dedicated to advancing advocacy and inclusion by ensuring collections, programs and services are accessible to all. I am especially proud that the Talking Book & Braille Center was recognized nationally, earning the National Library Service for the Blind & Print Disabled Library of the Year award twice, in 2015 and again in 2025. My passion is deeply rooted in the influence of my mother, Diane, whose career as a nurse modeled compassion, leadership and a strong work ethic. And of course, she gave me a love of books by reading to me almost daily from the time I was born.
Megan Eastman
I began my journey at KDL as a teen volunteer and now serve as a Collection Services Assistant. In my role, I prepare new and donated materials for circulation by cataloging items, attaching labels and RFID tags and ensuring everything is ready for patrons to enjoy. I also help maintain the accuracy of the library database, assist with delivery sorting between branches and support the coordination of circulating hotspots. One accomplishment I’m especially proud of is helping prepare the Amy Van Andel Library (Ada branch) for its grand opening. Even while managing a significant backlog after returning from remote work during COVID-19, I worked closely with my team to ensure materials were processed, organized and delivered on time. The woman who has inspired me most is my mom, whose hard work, patience and unwavering support continue to guide me every day.
Julita Fenneuff
I'm Julita, and I am the admin for the IT, MarCom, Programming and Community Engagement departments. From one day to the next I will be deploying staff laptops, working on the Bookmobile and then traveling to Lansing to meet another library's marketing team. Every single day is different, and that's why I like it! It has felt fulfilling to act as someone who can bridge the gap between the departments I work in and the rest of the organization. I enjoy being able to write communication bulletins, procedures and other types of documents that take the intricacies of the work my departments do and make them accessible for others outside of the departments. The most recent example of this was the procedure I wrote with instructions for setting up the new staff laptops. Staff reported that they were easy to follow and made the process easier. I'm proud of that! A woman I greatly admire is my mother. She has always encouraged me to be myself, believe in being the best I can be and to never back down from a challenge! I see more and more of myself in her every day.
Jaci Cooper
I’ve been with KDL for a decade and have served as the Director of Projects and Planning since 2020, where I launched our project management office and oversee our project portfolio, methodologies, strategic plan, internal communications and performance metrics. My work focuses on translating big-picture ideas into clear, actionable plans, strengthening systems, improving processes and supporting teams, while also sprinkling in some fun and helping create a culture where people feel connected, supported and excited about the work they do. During the pandemic, our organization went through a real transformation, and I was trusted to help shape much of that change. I’m especially proud of launching and growing KDL’s project management office, including the PMO dashboard, which was recognized by the Urban Libraries Council with a Top Innovator award in 2021. In my personal life, my Aunt Kari was deeply formative to my sense of self growing up. She spent time with me, took me on adventures and helped me believe in my own potential, reinforcing how important it is for kids to have multiple trusted adults who invest in them. One of my favorite roles now is being “Aunt Jaci” to my own niece. In my professional life, KDL’s former Director of Operations, Lindsey Dorfman, was instrumental in my growth through informal mentorship early in my career. I learned so much from her about leadership and the complexities of guiding an organization, and we still stay in touch today.
Jessie Salo
First and foremost, I am a wife and mom (my fav gig ever!), but I do also very much enjoy my days at the KDL Service Center. From handing out work anniversary candy to running background checks on all our presenters and volunteers to approving expense reports to entering invoices to be paid to reorganizing cabinets and so much more, my role as HR Representative is never the same two days in a row. The feat I am most proud of is getting a better handle of all the logistics that go into staff attending local and national conferences. With so many employees and professional development options, we have a lot of detailed, moving pieces. The top of my list of incredible women is Dolly Parton! Not only has she continued to hit the mark decade after decade, but she has always been humble and true to her roots along the way. She is strong enough to see that she is enough, and she loves all people dearly!
Morgan Hanks
As the User Experience Manager at KDL, I lead the Patron Services Department and focus on improving how our community interacts with library services. A big part of my role is identifying and removing roadblocks so patrons can access what they need easily and confidently, and I’m always eager to hear suggestions or feedback that can help us do better. I’m especially proud to contribute to KDL’s goal of digital literacy for all, helping ensure that our community has the tools, resources and support needed to navigate an increasingly digital world. The woman who inspires me most is my best friend Hannah, an educator with a level head and an open heart. She reminds me every day that even the smallest actions can make a meaningful difference, and that mindset continues to shape how I approach both my work and my life.
Lauren Hagerman Tekelly
My name is Lauren, and I’m a Programming Specialist at KDL. I support the hundreds of programs we offer by purchasing and coordinating materials, so whether it’s popsicle sticks, markers or googly eyes, there’s a good chance I’ve helped make it happen. I’m proud to play a part in programs for all ages that both inform and entertain, and I love that KDL provides a space where families can come together to learn and enjoy time with one another at no cost. I’ve been inspired by many women, but I’m especially grateful for my boss, Hennie Vaandrager. She’s shown me that it’s possible to build a meaningful career while raising a family, and she leads with a balance of compassion, thoughtfulness and clear direction that I truly admire.
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