Meet the Board

Dr. Judith Briles

CEO and President

Dr. Judith Briles is a speaker, author, publishing expert, columnist, and podcaster.

Known as The Book Shepherd, Judith has coached more than 1,600 authors to publishing success. She is the host of the AuthorU - Your Guide to Book Publishing podcast with over 22 million downloads and is the Founder and CEO of TheBookShepherd.com and Mile High Press. She is the author of 48 books, published in 17 countries, and has delivered presentations on her works in 20 countries and all 50 states.

Judith was honored to be named an American Book Fest Author Laurette and the first recipient of the Dan Poynter Legacy Award in Nonfiction. She received the prestigious Woman of Distinction from the Girl Scouts of Colorado. She is the founder of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame. Her next life venture will be to create community is Getting Kids to Read.

Her books can be found at,  JudithBrilesBooks.com and her consulting at TheBookShepherd.com.

Mara Purl

Vice President

Mara Purl  is the renowned author of the national and international best-selling, Milford-Haven Novels, which have won over 90 book awards. Her hit radio drama, Milford-Haven, U.S.A., reached 4.5 million BBC listeners and became the basis for her books. Mara is an American Book Fest Author Award Laureate and is a Library of Congress influencer in recorded work. She wrote for the Associated Press, Rolling Stone, and the Financial Times of London. As an actress, Mara is well known for leading stage roles as well as her regular appearances in the daytime television series, Days of Our Lives.

Believing passionately in the value of authorship and literacy, Mara created S.T.A.R. (Student Theatre and Radio) and taught students for 15 years in California, Colorado, Alaska, and Japan. With Judith Briles, she leads the Aspiring Authors Scholarship Mentoring/ Education Program. Mara serves as a consultant for authors in her role as CEO of Haven Books, LLC.

Visit www.MaraPurl.com and www.HavenBooks.us.

Juliana Adams

Secretary

Juliana Adams is an author, filmmaker, nurse, and teacher. For 53 years, Adams provided patient care in many medical specialties and then recorded the nobility and challenges in her book, The Joy of Nursing: Reclaiming our Nobility. This provocative and riveting book chronicles stories from “novice to expert.” She wrote and directed two documentary films.

For nine years, Juliana has taught ESL (English as a Second Language) for emigrants arriving in the Metro Denver area. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Denver Woman’s Press Club and continues to speak publicly to diverse groups on health care related topics.

Adams lives in Colorado with her husband, enjoying international travel and their home in Steamboat Springs. She has two grown children, four grandchildren, and pets—all which keep her young and curious.

Currently working on a poetry book which may or may not ever be published, Juliana finds the art of writing to be her ongoing passion. Her website is JulianaAdamsInc.com.

Mary Salas

Treasurer

Mary Salas recently sold her financial planning and advisory practice … and retired. She is adjusting to this new phase of life by traveling and gathering a myriad of story details to start her next life as an author.

Her career path thus far centered on numerical analysis, including senior level positions in commercial real estate lending for several national life insurance companies, asset management, banking, and mortgage banking. As a CPA, an understanding of balance sheets, income statements, cash flow and all forms of taxation provided an extensive background for offering sound financial advice to business owners, individuals and families. Notable client engagements involved retirement planning and supporting families in developing comprehensive estate plans for the transfer of wealth to beneficiaries and charitable organizations.

Writing financial summaries and recommendations for financial plans is the extent of her current writing acumen. Mary looks forward to adding “published author” to her list of accomplishments in the very near future.

Hilary Afshary

A lifelong student of life, Hilary Afshary continuously is working towards a PhD in helping others with a goal of elevating her knowledge of humanity: from developing models for motivating individuals to studying the interpersonal relationships among young women to seeking the keys to a happy life.

With a strong background in Community Relations and Communications, Hilary has touched people worldwide developing organizational outreach strategies, planning fundraising and volunteer events as diverse as leading and serving the missions of more than ten non-profit boards nationally and neighborhood groups for local schools.

In 2025, she added "author" to her long list of accomplishments, publishing the best-selling and award-winning, Dorm to Doorstep. Hilary is an avid reader who believes books remain one of the only unalterable records of our world, preserving culture, history, and the stories of our time in a way digital media cannot. Her website is HilaryAfshary.com.

Dr. Laura A. Belsten, MCC, CEC 

Dr. Laura Belsten is the Founder and President of CEO Partnership, an internationally recognized executive coaching and leadership development consultancy and training firm headquartered in Denver. She also founded the Institute for Social & Emotional Intelligence and the Center for Thriving Leaders.

An executive coach specializing in leadership, communication, social and emotional intelligence, Laura has over 25 years of experience coaching CEOs and senior-level corporate and business executives. She has first-hand leadership experience in senior executive positions in the private, public and non-profit sectors extending over 35 years, and coaches in multiple sectors including high-tech, telecommunications, banking, financial services, health care, manufacturing, defense, aerospace, and the energy sector.

Laura is a past president of the International Coach Federation, Colorado Chapter. She currently serves on the faculty of the Graduate School of Banking and Coach Training Alliance. She also taught graduate courses in leadership and communication for 18 years at the University of Denver.

Laura’s websites are CEOPartnership.com and CenterForThrivingLeaders.com.

Dr. Doug Gilbert

Dr. Doug Gilbert is a highly experienced international entrepreneur, academic, and business professional. His current focus includes serving as the CEO of Lone Tree Academics LLC, an academic services provider serving higher education, and the recent startup of EduPartner.coop LCA, a limited cooperative association providing research services to academia. He also serves as doctoral faculty for Walden University (USA), a visiting professor of entrepreneurship at Vilnius University (Lithuania), and a professor of law at ASBM University (Bhubaneswar, India). He has been a Fulbright Specialist in Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Lithuania and a Fulbright Scholar in Lithuania. 

He holds a Doctor of Business Administration, a Juris Doctorate, and an M.B.A.

Doug’s past experiences include serving in senior management roles at several academic institutions, delivering strategy and transformation consulting to biotech companies, leading international transformation projects for a Swiss multinational firm, and co-founding one of Colorado’s newest cities, the City of Castle Pines.

Mike Howard

Mike Howard, former Chief Security Officer for Microsoft Corporation for 16 years, was responsible for its worldwide vital security functions including operations, investigations, risk mitigation, crisis management, executive protection, intelligence, and employee awareness. Prior to that, Mike served as CSO with the CIA, finishing as a Chief of Station.

Named as one of the most influential people in security by Security 500, Mike speaks regularly as a subject matter expert on security and leadership while using his extensive security background to help drive industry innovation. Mike also serves as the Past President of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Mob Museum. Mike and his wife, Janice, started the Michael and Janice Howard Foundation which provides resources for disadvantaged youth in the Las Vegas area.
 
Mike is the author of two leadership books and the Jack Trench spy thriller series. His website is MikeHowardAuthor.com.

Linnea Tanner

Linnea Tanner is an award-winning and best-selling author of historical fiction / fantasy set in ancient Rome and Britain. She won the 2019 Pencraft Best Book Award based on her compelling, well-researched blend of Celtic mythology, romance, and political intrigue. She has extensively researched ancient history, mythology, and archaeology, and has traveled to sites described in her books.

Linnea is an officer on the Board of Directors of the Denver Woman’s Press Club, a volunteer reviewer and judge of the First Chapters Competition for the Historical Novel Society, and a blogger who hosts author blog tours and reviews their books. Until recently, she provided strategic, regulatory advice to biotech companies regarding pharmaceuticals development and marketing approval. She believes in the power of storytelling to create, transform, and connect universal truths. Authorship should be nourished and its legacy celebrated. The link to her website is: www.linneatanner.com

Barbara Winter

Barbara Winter retired as the Chief Community Officer and Executive VP at Ent Credit Union in 2019, where she last coordinated community outreach and philanthropy along the Front Range. She has been involved as a board member or leader with many organizations and nonprofits.

She currently serves on the boards of Children’s Hospital of Colorado, Pikes Peak Community Foundation, and the CU Foundation among others.

Barbara has been recognized for her leadership by a number of organizations and is a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership program.

“I have always had a passion for reading. It has supported my education, career growth, and personal enjoyment. This Board exemplifies holding up the standards of the written word and recognizes those who are outstanding in a broad spectrum of fields and genres.”

She calls Manitou Springs, CO, home with her husband, David.

Julie Bernard

Julie is a registered patent and intellectual property attorney who brings twenty-five years of experience to the table. Julie focuses her practice on US and international patents, US and international trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property portfolio strategy and management, transactions and licenses, and technology transfer. Julie provides balanced general, transactional, and intellectual property legal advice based on her significant experience and proven track record related to patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and the structuring and negotiation of licenses and other agreements.

Dianemarie (DM) Collins

Dianemarie “DM” Collins has over thirty years of experience in public relations. Her clients have been featured on Good Morning America, ABC Nightline, The View, CBS MarketWatch, CNBC Power Lunch, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal among other media outlets.

Since 2001, Dianemarie has hosted and produced the Online television program, The DM Zone, which features lively interviews of highly creative and talented professionals. A veteran performer in acting, singing, dancing and choreography, DM appeared in productions from Broadway and off-Broadway to nightclubs and dinner theaters throughout the country.

Believing in giving back, DM has donated her time and talent for a variety of worthy efforts, over the years. Those non-profit organizations benefited via board positions or volunteering with fundraising, marketing and public relations skills.

Danielle Hampson

Danielle Hampson created “The Authors Show®” more than 15 years ago when “podcasting" was not yet a word. The show was preceded by several other audio and video shows she produced and hosted online as well as on traditional radio. The success of “The Authors Show®” encouraged her to start the production of a “twin” show in French, which saw its debut in summer 2020. With such longevity in the podcasting space, she is often asked to speak to publishing industry organizations and groups of authors on the topic of utilizing audio and video as a book marketing tool.

As a multilingual Cross-Cultural Expert and International Business & Marketing Consultant educated in Europe, Danielle has traveled the world helping business executives in small and Fortune 100 companies develop and implement global marketing and distribution strategies, as well as a non-destructive testing specialist in the automotive and aerospace industries. As the founder of a business networking organization with multiple chapters across several states, she has also helped thousands of entrepreneurs and managers develop and improve their networking skills. Often referred to as the "Queen of Win-Win," it is that philosophy that has helped her gain the respect of clients across continents. She also puts her skills to good use volunteering time and resources with non-profit organizations and has traveled multiple times to China to help accelerate women leadership and to teach university students business networking, interviewing and show production skills.

Elizabeth (Betty) Heid

Elizabeth (Betty) Heid is the executive producer of the film series “Great Colorado Women.” Two of her films have won Heartland Emmy Awards. Another was awarded the Los Angeles film award for “Inspiring Woman in a Film.” Her professional experience includes: owner, founder and CEO of two small multi-million dollar businesses, a consulting agency and a job placement agency. Previously, she worked for several Fortune 500 companies where she was a senior executive.

Ms. Heid is a Colorado native. She is a life-long volunteer focusing on education, women’s issues and history. She has served as chair or a member of many boards and is the past chair of the board of directors of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.

She holds an undergraduate and a master’s degree from the University of Denver. She is also a certified mediator. Her hobbies include golf, bridge, travel, reading, exercising and is a world-wide traveler.

Dan Janel

Dan Janal is known for his pioneering work in helping thousands of small businesses, speakers, authors, coaches, and consultants get publicity to help build their careers through his PR LEADS program that introduces reporters to subject matter experts.

The Los Angeles Times called Dan “an online marketing expert” because he wrote one of the first books ever written about Internet marketing in 1994. He was on the marketing team that launched America Online (AOL). He has written and edited thousands of press releases, newspaper articles, and blog posts.

Dan is an award-winning newspaper reporter and newspaper business editor. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Northwestern University. He has interviewed President Gerald Ford and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Janal has lectured globally, from Beijing to Budapest and across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. He’s taught at Berkeley and Stanford. Dan has written and published more than a dozen books which have been translated into six languages.

His current services include press release writing and distribution, so you get those “as seen on logos.”

For information about his PR services, go to www.PRLEADStoPROFITS.com.

John Kremer

John is an expert on book publishing and marketing. He is also founder of The Book Marketing Network and has worked with thousands of authors.

The owner of Open Horizons Publishing in Taos, New Mexico, he is the editor of the Book Marketing Tip of the Week newsletter. He is the author of several books on publishing and marketing, including 1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers. He has also designed the Book Marketing Magic program and the Blog Tour Palooza program.

Dr. Penny Rafferty Hamilton

Dr. Penny Rafferty Hamilton is a multi-award winning writer and pilot. She is a Laureate of the Colorado Authors, Women’s, and the Aviation Halls of Fame. Her books include Granby, Then & Now, America’s Amazing Airports, and 101 Trailblazing Women of Air and Space. She co-holds a World Aviation Speed Record. Learn more at www.PennyHamilton.com