Board of Directors
Meet the Board of Directors at Willsam Books.
Ann Hynes
Ann Hynes is passionate advocate for childhood literacy. She founded Willsam Books with her sons Will and Sam to ensure that children in under-resourced schools have access to books that inspire curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of reading. Motivated by her sons’ own love of reading, Ann launched the organization with the belief that every child deserves the chance to discover the joy, knowledge, and confidence that come from books. She believes in the power of stories to change lives and is committed to creating opportunities for all children to learn and thrive. In addition to serving on the Board of Willsam Books, Ann works in the financial services industry.
Sheila Sacco
For more than 25 years, Sheila Sacco has dedicated her career to teaching in an urban district, where she has seen how access to high-quality literature can transform a child’s future. As a mother of three, she knows that books are more than stories—they are tools of empowerment, imagination, and opportunity. Sheila brings this belief to her work with the charity, striving to put free, exceptional books into the hands of children in inner-city communities. Her mission is simple: to spark a lifelong love of reading and to help every child see a brighter path forward through literacy.
Danna Remen
Danna Remen is an accomplished nonprofit leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, organizational growth, and mission-driven partnerships. She currently serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Ellie Fund, where she leads cross-functional efforts to expand the organization’s reach and impact in support of breast cancer patients and their families across Massachusetts.
Previously, Danna served as Executive Director at Global Oncology (GO), a nonprofit dedicated to improving cancer care in underserved communities worldwide, where she continues to serve on the Board of Directors. Her career also includes leadership roles with innovative startups and philanthropic ventures, including Generate4Schools, where she developed sustainable funding models for nonprofits. She began her nonprofit career at the Brookline Education Foundation, supporting local teachers’ professional development through grantmaking.
Danna holds a Master of Environmental Health Science from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Jeanne Emanuel
Jeanne Emanuel joins the Willsam board with over 30 years of experience in the book publishing industry. Currently, she is Sales Director at Harvard University Press. Her prior experience includes Chief Operating Officer at Zibby Books, Vice President Sales & Services for Ingram Content, and Vice President of Sales at Candlewick Press. Jeanne has frequently taught graduate level classes at Emerson College (Boston, MA) as an adjunct professor. Her volunteer experience includes Vice Chair of the Board of Essential Partners, a position she held from 2019 to 2024. She has a B.A. from Wellesley College and an MBA from Boston University.
Megan Carolla
Megan Brooks Carolla has dedicated 25 years to the Carr Foundation, working alongside the team at Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique. Megan has seen firsthand how conservation can change lives – not only protecting wildlife and landscapes, but also creating opportunities for education, health and sustainable livelihoods. Megan brings experience in nonprofit leadership, making her a passionate advocate for protecting biodiversity while uplifting local communities.
In addition, Megan is committed to supporting local communities in Massachusetts with Willsam Books, providing children and families with greater access to reading, helping nurture a love of learning and strengthen community connections.
Will Dee
