Board of Directors
The Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library is governed by the Board of Directors, a group of dedicated community leaders who serve as volunteers.
Dana Braccia
Dana Braccia has more than 30 years’ experience in the private and public sectors in the U.S. and Micronesia. Her background includes working with the private sector as well as municipal services, hospitality, and non-profit management with organizations including Hilton International, Citibank, City of Scottsdale and Texas Library Association.
Dana has an MBA as well as a Masters degree in Information Systems. She has served as an adjunct professor and virtual curriculum developer for multiple universities in their MLS programs including University of Arizona, University of Tennessee, and University of Kentucky.
As a Librarian and lover of libraries, Dana looks forward to championing the Friends and Scottsdale Public Library.
Bradd Brown
Bradd Brown is a retired Architect with 30 years of experience, specializing in designing Public Libraries and Higher Education facilities. During his career he has designed libraries throughout the Midwest and has given presentations and workshops on trends in library design at State and National conferences. Seeing the impact a library can have on a community convinced him of the importance of public libraries and the role they play in vibrant communities.
Bradd and his wife, Janan relocated to Arizona in 2018 and enjoy hiking, biking, golfing, tennis, and traveling through the southwest and abroad.
Carol Damaso – Treasurer
Carol Damaso’s career in library services spanned 28 years until her retirement as the Library Director for the Scottsdale Public Library in 2014. Her experience included library services to children, library branch management and library system administrative management. She earned a BA from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN and an MALS from the University of Michigan.
Carol’s volunteer work included serving six years on the Saint Mary’s College Alumnae Board of Directors, four years as Treasurer of the AZ Library Association and seven years on the Scottsdale Leadership Board of Directors, including as President. She currently serves on the Scottsdale Leadership Advisory Council. She graduated in Scottsdale Leadership’s Class XXI. More recently, Carol chaired the Capital Campaign Committee for the Scottsdale Heritage Connection that garnered $500,000 to complete the project.
During her tenure with the City of Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Public Library issued Carol the Hall of Fame award, and twice she received the Scottsdale City Manager’s Award for Excellence. Carol is a staunch supporter of community libraries and continues to promote their services.
Jenny Fasolino
Jenny Fasolino is a supply chain software professional with over 20 years’ experience in retail buying, software consulting, product design, and global operations. She is an avid library patron visiting her local library with her two sons on a weekly basis.
In addition to volunteering at her children’s school, local scouts, and soccer league, she pursues professional growth in attending various tech conferences and pursuing speaking engagements to share valuable project experiences. She believes in continuous learning, the importance of higher education, and the value of knowledge sharing as life-long pursuits.
Dr. Sara A. Johnson
Dr. Sara Johnson is a dedicated and enthusiastic education leader with over 10 years of experience leading positive changes in schools using data-driven approaches. With a solid background in managing programs and organizational transitions, Sara excels at implementing successful educational projects to promote excellence. From analyzing data to improve systems to building relationships with stakeholders, Sara’s main goal is to inspire students and staff to reach their full potential by promoting literacy and lifelong learning. She is currently the Vice Principal of Academic Services at Arcadia High School within Scottsdale Unified School District.
Sara’s passion for education extends beyond the classroom, encompassing a belief in the endless possibilities that books and libraries offer to individuals of all backgrounds and ages. She recognizes that a book can take you anywhere in the world both real and imagined. Grounded in principles of access and equity, she believes in the transformative power of literature and knowledge, advocating for the importance of public libraries in fostering a love for learning and exploration.
Dr. Johnson is an avid reader and adventure seeker. Her hobbies include hiking, traveling, spending time with her dog, and trying new food and activities. Embodying the words of John Quincy Adams, she lives by the quote, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”
Brookelyn Loeffler – Secretary
Brookelyn Loeffler is a Scottsdale native. As an avid reader, she has always appreciated the City Library system.
Brookelyn is a mortgage loan officer, and in her free time, she enjoys skiing, reading, traveling, playing trivia, and spending time with loved ones. She is an active book club member and enjoys being introduced to new genres.
She is an affiliate member and volunteer for Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors.
Sheila Nazari
Sheila Nazari is a writer, speaker and consultant who has always had a passion for reading and storytelling.
She has written for websites including Jobing.com and HRJobs.org, and is currently in the process of publishing her own book.
Sheila also has over 10 years experience in human resources and employee training. She is originally from North Dakota.
Shiela Reyman – Vice President
Shiela Reymin grew up in Scottsdale, met her husband at Coronado High School and would later bring their daughter to many events at the Civic Center library. The Scottsdale Public Library system continues to be very important to her family, as well as, the entire community that it serves.
Shiela currently works as a Motivational Speaker presenting at events across the United States. She also works and volunteers as an Event Planner, organizing gatherings from small groups to large scale events.
Her volunteer work includes being appointed by Scottsdale City Council to serve six years on the Scottsdale Public Library Board, including two years as Vice-Chairperson and two years as Chairperson.
She also is a member of the Arizona State Softball Diamond Devil Booster Club where she served as the Secretary for one year and was privileged to serve as the President for four years.
Douglas Sydnor, FAIA
Douglas Sydnor, FAIA, is the Founding Principal at Douglas Sydnor Architect + Associates, a Scottsdale-based architectural firm founded in 1993. He has practiced exclusively in Arizona for over 40 years, completed 225 commissions; and his architecture has received numerous design awards and published extensively.
Doug’s professional and civic involvement includes serving on over 200 boards, commissions, committees, and design charrettes. They have included the Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library, Scottsdale Library Board, Scottsdale Heritage Connection, Scottsdale Development Review Board, Scottsdale Historic Preservation Commission, and Scottsdale Leadership.
He currently serves on the Architectural Archives Committee for the Arizona Architecture Foundation/AIA Arizona. Doug received his Bachelor in Architecture at Arizona State University and Masters in Architecture at Harvard University.
Amanda Shetler – President
Amanda Shetler is a writer and fundraiser. Her fiction and essays have appeared in Pembroke Magazine, Bridge Eight Press, Roxane Gay’s The Audacity, and others. Her professional experience includes public policy, state government, and nonprofit work.
Born and raised in Scottsdale, Amanda spent a decade in the Midwest fighting for equitable access in education. She recently returned to Scottsdale with her wife and rescue dog. She is a proud supporter of public libraries and public schools and looks forward to helping Scottsdale be a place where all can thrive.
Mary Wilber
Mary Wilber has worked for several public libraries and she retired from the Scottsdale Public Library System where she worked as a reference librarian. She also served two terms on the Scottsdale Library Board, including one year as president. Mary has also served on library boards in Illinois and Texas.
She currently volunteers at the McClelland Library at the Irish Cultural Center in Phoenix. She also co-coordinates the library’s book discussion which focuses on Irish writers and Irish literature.