Shout Mouse Press Staff
Kathy Crutcher
Founder, Executive Director
Malik Thompson
Programs Manager
Alexa Patrick
Programs Director
Barrett Smith
Operations Manager
Dave Ring
Publishing Manager
Sasa Aakil
Author Fellow
Team Story
Team Art
Board of Directors
Jennifer Emmett is a Kids Media expert and content creator inspiring kids to be curious, learn, and explore the world. She is the Founder of WonderLab Group and previously served as Senior Vice President of National Geographic Kids Media where she oversaw a program that included publication of two magazines, 100 books per year, a website, social media channels, a YouTube channel, digital apps, Alexa skills, a radio show, and short-form video. Jennifer has edited more than 100 nonfiction titles for children, which have collectively sold hundreds of thousands of copies. She’s a graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Lana Wong is based in Washington, DC after living abroad for 17 years in London, Nairobi, and Paris. She has diverse work experience as a photographer, educator, television broadcaster, and creative director. In 1997, Lana founded Shootback – a youth photography and development project in the Nairobi slums that harnessed the creative voices of young Kenyans so they could tell their own stories. Inspired by this experience and her creative collaborations with international organizations, local NGOs, foundations, youth, and artists, Lana is thrilled to be working with Shout Mouse to utilize the power of words and images for advocacy, education, and development. Lana earned a BA in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard University and a Master’s in Photography from the Royal College of Art in London.
J. Thomas Swindell is an experienced nonprofit finance and operations leader with nearly two decades of expertise in financial management, strategic planning, auditing, budgeting, and organizational systems. He currently serves as Chief Financial Officer at Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School, where he oversees finance, investments, facilities, human resources, IT, and risk management. Previously, he held senior finance roles at After-School All-Stars, the Friends Committee on National Legislation, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Thomas holds an M.A. in Accounting and Finance from UNC Greensboro and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Denisse Arias is the inaugural Director of EdRedesign’s Lab Fellowship for Cradle-to-Career Partnership Leaders. She brings deep experience in equity-focused leadership, systems change, and cross-sector collaboration. At Teach For All, she led global leadership development efforts and partnerships with USAID, the European Commission, and the World Bank. She also co-led the Leading from Lived Experience Fellowship, supporting over 100 leaders from marginalized backgrounds. A Teach For America alum and former teacher, Denisse served as Co-Board Chair of TFA–Massachusetts’ Homegrown Alumni Board. She holds degrees from Boston University and an MPA from Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs.
Tiffani R. Alexander is an award-winning writer, editor, and executive leader with over 18 years of experience in publishing, content strategy, and executive communications. She is currently the Director of Editorial Services at Howard University. Tiffani has worked across sectors including public safety, entertainment, and trade associations, and as founder of TiffaniWrites, LLC, she offers editorial, design, and content services to individuals and organizations. A journalism graduate of the University of Maryland with a master’s in media management, Tiffani lives in Prince George’s County, MD, where she’s writing a historical fantasy novel and caring for her cat, King Ramses.