Shona Taylor
CEO

Shona Tayor began her career with Mainfreight in Napier, New Zealand, in 1987, working across customer service, administration and sales before joining the Mainfreight Australia team in 2003. Over the following two decades, she held operational and leadership roles, including leading Mainfreight branches in Adelaide and Brisbane, supporting national training initiatives, and serving as the Australian National People, Health & Safety Manager from 2012. For the past decade, she has led the Training and Development team in Australia.

Known for her authentic leadership style, deep industry knowledge and passion for developing people, Shona brings a practical, people-focused approach to her new role as the Books in Homes CEO.

Julie Ditrich
Communications Coordinator – Part-time

Julie Ditrich is a visual storyteller and fiction writer, working predominantly in the fantasy genre. Julie has a BA in Professional Writing (University of Canberra), and has worked in mainstream publishing as a bookseller, publicist, author, and marketing manager. She was also employed as publications manager at the Australian Society of Authors. Julie has worked extensively as a comic book writer and is the first Australian woman writer to work on The Phantom. In 2016 she launched the Comics Mastermind™ professional development service for evolving Australian comics creators. She also began volunteering as a Role Model at Books in Homes® in 2012 before being employed as the Role Model Coordinator between 2014 and 2015. Julie returned to Books in Homes in late 2016 where she took on the position of Communications Coordinator. Julie enjoys working with Sponsors and Partners, Role Models and the schools on the Program, as well as Books in Homes’ many supporters.

Jodi Toering
Book Giving Assembly
Coordinator – Part-time

Growing up on a wheat farm in Victoria’s Mallee region, Jodi developed an early love of storytelling, communication and learning. She went on to build a diverse and successful career spanning education, writing, community engagement and the arts.

An award-winning children’s author, Jodi’s bestselling books connect children with stories, nature and the world around them. Her work has taken her into schools and communities across Australia, where she has led writing workshops, collaborated with educators and families, and created opportunities for children to engage with books and creativity.

Jodi brings strong communication, coordination and relationship-building skills to her work, along with a genuine passion for making books and literacy accessible and meaningful for every child.

Outside of work, she enjoys creating art, travelling and spending time with her family and pets on her bush block in regional Victoria.

Hester Lee
Consultant – Casual

Hester Lee’s journey with Books in Homes® began in 2005 when she volunteered as an office administrator. After completed her degree in Bachelor of Commerce, she took on further duties including the financial accounting, as well as constructing the Salesforce CRM platform for the charity. During this time, Hester thoroughly enjoyed working alongside the many incredible Principals and teachers on the Program, while learning about the many different communities in Australia. Hester is now a mum who is building her own home library, so her son can grow up immersed in the fantasy of books.

Katherine Walker
Reading and Literacy Researcher

Katherine Walker is a Digital Marketing Executive by day, based in regional NSW. She has always had a passion for reading, writing and volunteering, and has recently joined Books in Homes® as a remote research volunteer inspired by the organisation’s mission.