Our Board

Kavita Amar is Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at New Line Cinema, where she oversees legal aspects of major theatrical productions. Her background spans entertainment law, business litigation, and federal judicial clerkship.

A lifelong reader and writer, Kavita published poetry as a teenager and later authored the novel L.A. Style. Her love of literature—and belief in its power to shape imagination—continues to inform her support of Access Books.

Favorite children’s books: A Wrinkle in Time, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, The Wizard of Oz, and Judy Blume novels.

Jill Casselman is a government litigator and trial attorney committed to fairness and justice in the legal system. She brings a strong sense of advocacy and integrity to the Access Books board.

Favorite children’s book: Matilda by Roald Dahl.

Gail Fischvogt is a business owner and longtime Access Books board member. She co-founded South Bay Sports Medicine Physical Therapy in Torrance, California, where she continues to serve as manager and administrator.

Gail became involved with Access Books in 2001 after organizing a book drive at her son’s elementary school and has remained deeply committed ever since.

Favorite children’s book: Bob and Jack: A Boy and His Yak by Jeff Moss.

 
Steven Sines prefers to let his contributions speak for themselves and brings a steady, behind-the-scenes presence to the Access Books board.

 

Shelly Wood has dedicated her career to working with underserved youth across education, justice, and community systems. She spent two decades with the California Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Justice, helping implement nationally recognized restorative justice and arts programs.

Since then, Shelly has raised millions of dollars for organizations supporting children, partnered with Title I schools, and advocated for programs that keep young people out of the justice system. Her commitment to Access Books grew from this lifelong focus on equity and opportunity.

Favorite children’s book: The Little Prince.

Mario Garcielita is the principal of Hollenbeck Middle School and an educational leader with more than 30 years of experience in LAUSD. He emphasizes the partnership between schools, families, and communities to close achievement gaps and prepare students for college.

Favorite children’s book: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

Jenny Hertz-Newman is a teacher librarian at El Sereno Middle School and has spent over two decades connecting students with books. She holds degrees from UC Santa Cruz, UCLA, and San José State University, and is passionate about helping young readers find stories that resonate.

Favorite children’s books: Works by L.M. Montgomery and Madeleine L’Engle; Pride and Prejudice (still reread regularly).

 
Franny Parrish brings a creative background spanning acting, music production, and publishing to her work as a school library advocate. After years in the entertainment industry, she became an LAUSD elementary school library aide and a tireless union advocate for school libraries.

She often says her students are her best audience—and that school libraries are where real magic happens.

 
Dr. Amanda Sobremesana is an educational leader with over 25 years of experience across K–12, higher education, and adult learning. She has served as a teacher, district administrator, and principal, leading innovative programs in STEM, robotics, and social-emotional learning.

Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity and access for all students.

Favorite children’s books: The Phantom Tollbooth and The Chronicles of Narnia series.

 
Marcia Sidney-Reed is the principal of 186th Street Elementary School and a proud LAUSD alumna. Her leadership has earned her school multiple state and national awards recognizing academic excellence, arts integration, and community partnership.

She believes deeply in the power of reading to expand imagination and opportunity.

Favorite children’s book: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.

 
Ky-Phong Paul Tran is an award-winning writer, educator, and 2024–2025 Long Beach Unified School District Teacher of the Year. His writing has appeared in major publications, and his teaching centers student voice, storytelling, and access.

Favorite children’s book: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.