Library board member biographies
Danny Williamson (Chair)
Danny joined the Board in 2019. He holds a Bachelor’s degrees in History and Education, and a Master’s degree in Marketing. As a community builder and communicator, he believes passionately that the Guelph Public Library plays a vital role in making Guelph a stronger, more vibrant, and just city. A lifelong book nerd, he can often be found at the Main Library on Saturday mornings with two small girls and a stack of books.
Randalin Ellery (Past Chair)
Randalin was appointed to the Board in 2018. Randalin has a passion for building strong, healthy, and resilient communities and believes that public libraries have an integral role in doing so. She is a strong advocate for engaging those that are typically marginalized, including families and individuals living in poverty and experiencing homelessness.
Alexandra Ortiz Carlsson (Vice Chair)
Months prior to moving to Guelph in late 2021, Alexandra visited a Guelph Public Library (GPL) branch to register for a temporary library card. Knowing that integration would require the resources, local people, innovative programs, and community knowledge only a public library can offer, it felt like a meaningful first step during this life transition. Fast forward two years and Alexandra became a proud ambassador for GPL as a member of the Board, with past memberships on a social housing board, a municipal accessibility committee, and extensive work experience as an occupational therapist in community mental health.
Renganathan Sadagoban (Second Vice Chair)
Renganathan is a technology consultant and helps businesses spanning from Banks, Telecom and retail domains in their digital transformation journeys. He has worked in several international cities and values diversity. He is poised to leverage his diverse skills for ensuring the Guelph Public Library's success. Renganathan was appointed to the Guelph Public Library Board in 2022.
Bang Ly (Secretary)
Bang Ly is a dedicated community leader in Guelph, Ontario. He is currently the Manager of Community & Family Services at The Salvation Army Guelph, where he manages essential support programs such as the food market, emergency housing assistance, and system navigation for families in need. Previously, Bang contributed significantly to St. John Ambulance Canada, where he played a pivotal role in developing and facilitating the "React and Reverse" initiative. This program includes Opioid Poisoning Response Training, Naloxone Kit Distribution, and a National Drug Alert System that forecasts the appearance of new substances in communities across Canada and provides safety information about how these substances impact the response to opioid poisoning for rescuers.
Vivian Webb
Vivian strongly supports the development and maintenance of community spaces – restorative places where people can gather to learn, be entertained, explore, and connect with others. She believes our library is an important public space and contributes to the development of a healthy, sustainable community.
Denise Rishworth
Denise has spent her career in health care, most recently here in Guelph. She is a life-long library user, and believes that a library is an essential component of a community’s life and vibrancy. Denise was appointed to the Board in 2023 and is committed to supporting the library’s role in promoting accessible literacy and resources in the community while creating library-for-life habits.
Claire Cowan
Claire is an entrepreneur, marketer and consultant in the agricultural industry and is active in the Guelph community. Claire is a lifelong reader and knows the value of libraries extends far beyond the stories and fiction she loves so much. She joined the board in 2023 and is committed to the vibrancy of Guelph through shared spaces and experiences.
Candice Lepage
Candice has always called Guelph her home and is an active community builder. She joined the board in 2023 and understands the library to be the heart of the community.
She has worked for the Ontario Green Party in various roles since 2012, and worked as a consultant helping not-for-profit organizations understand how to use digital tools in marketing from 2009 - 2017.
Councillor Rodrigo Goller
I discovered I enjoyed reading early on through choose-your-own-adventure books and Goosebumps novels - borrowed from my school library and the local public library branch. I still have fond memories of visiting the library with my mom and sister once a week or so, to borrow comic books, fantasy and science fiction novels.
Councillor Leanne Caron
Leanne was first elected to City Council in 2006, and was appointed to the Board in 2023. She holds an Honours BA in English and History (McMaster), and a Masters degree in Leadership (U of Guelph). Leanne still has her childhood library card as a memento, a reminder of cherished time spent immersed in books and discovery.
Councillor Carly Klassen
Carly joined the board in 2017 and returned in 2023 as a Guelph City Councillor. She's been a fan of the Guelph Public Library since childhood, attending story times and joining the summer reading club as a teen. Carly noticed during her travels that libraries are thriving worldwide and sees them as vital community hubs. She believes in nurturing the Guelph Public Library as a dynamic and cherished part of the community.
Dan Atkins (CEO & Treasurer to the Board)
Dan is a lifelong resident of Guelph and a dedicated advocate for the power of public libraries to transform communities. He holds a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Toronto and has been a vital part of the Guelph Public Library since 2006.
Dan began his career as a Reference Librarian and quickly took on leadership roles, overseeing the Bookmobile and managing the Bullfrog Mall and Westminster Square branches. His extensive experience and commitment to innovation led to his appointments as Director of Operations and Deputy CEO.