Steering Committee
FRANÇAIS
Mandate:
The Forest of Reading has ten individual steering committees that are tasked with responsibilities once the nominated lists have been confirmed. They are the ambassadors of the Forest and they work closely with the nominated authors, illustrators, and publishers. In most cases, they are also practitioners running the programs.
- Terms of Reference – Steering Committee (School-Aged Programs)
- Terms of Reference – Steering Committee (Evergreen)
Note: OLA strives to ensure that its staff, committees, and councils are diverse and inclusive in order to best serve the Ontario library community. There is immense value in bringing together various perspectives and ideas. OLA seeks out participation from members with different library experience; members from all regions of Ontario; Indigenous Peoples; and members with diverse backgrounds including but not limited to age, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ability. If you have any questions about getting involved, please contact the OLA staff liaison for the committee/council.
Timelines
The timeline for the school aged programs varies from the adult programs. Below is the schedule:
- School-aged programs – September to May
- Evergreen Program – January to October
2023 Steering Committees
Co-Chairs of the Forest of Reading®
Ruth Gretsinger, District School Board of Niagara
Isabelle Hobbs, Durham District School Board (retired)

Blue Spruce Award™
Stephanie Lamb (Chair)
Carrie Fish, Dani Austin, Lisa Ainsworth, Mackenzie Hilton, Natasha Rankin, Sandra Lewis, Tessie Burton, Wendy Burch Jones

Silver Birch Express Award®
Brenda Reed & Kate Tuff (Co-Chairs)
Anne-Marie Sista, Luisa Esposito-Karantakis, Rahima Nulla

Silver Birch Fiction Award®
Lisa Lewis ( Chair)
Kavita Verma, Courtney Decker

Yellow Cedar Award
Susan Wallwork (Chair)
Anne-Marie Sisti, James Steeves, Luisa Esposito-Karantakis

Red Maple Award™
Ashley Pamenter & Faith Roebuck Shergold (Co-Chairs)
Helen Collins, James Steeves, Jess Longthorne, Kimberly De Witte, Melissa Bogaert

White Pine Award™
Kara Miley & Ashley Pamenter (Co-Chairs)
Anastasia Lainas-Hayward, Christine Lavalee, Diana Williams, Jason Himsl, Kristi Simpson, Serena McGovern

Le prix Peuplier
Claudine Blanchard, Evy Gambin, Eugenia Doval (Chairs)

Le prix Mélèze
Evy Gambin, Claudine Blanchard, Eugenia Doval (Chairs)

Le prix Tamarac
Eugenia Doval, Claudine Blanchard, Evy Gambin (Chairs)

Evergreen Award™
Enid Wray & Julie Wendland (Co-Chairs)