Kealie is a light-skinned person with rainbow dyed short hair. She is looking at the camera over her right shoulder and smiling. She is holding a white chinchilla over right shoulder as well.

Kealie Mardell-Carrera (she/her) | Board President & Director

After emigrating from England in 2015, I found a new home in Monrovia. Since then, I've helped students with disabilities and different learning challenges to build their skills, confidence, and love of reading.

As an animal lover, I work with local nonprofit, The Little Zoo, to bring the joy of animal connections to those in need, and you'll likely see some of my 22 pets visiting us in store!

I believe we can find strength through community and that there is untold value in providing a safe space for all to feel welcomed and represented. This is your space, run by a team of underdogs for our fellow underdogs, and I can't wait to see what the future brings us next.

Jen Venegas is a light skinned person with brown wavy hair and bangs. They are wearing neutral colored eyeglasses and a dark purple lipstick. They are also wearing a green leopard print dress and they are sitting in front of an orange background.

Jen Venegas (they/them/elle) | Board Vice President

I hail from the San Gabriel Valley. As a spiritual activist, horticulturalist, and death doula, I am the founder of Abeja Rise, a practice that centers the place where activism and spirituality meet. I am also a co-founder of Transplanted Collective, where my co-founders and I focus on food justice, accessibility and land sovereignty. I thrive in gardens, can’t watch enough scary movies, and cherish moments with my two cats.

Being a proud LGBTQ+ member, I'm honored to represent El Monte folks in the community through my support of Underdog Bookstore and Events, Inc. Our mission resonates deeply with me, and I'm thrilled to support my fellow Underdogs any way I can.

Erika Reyes is a light-skinned person with dark brown hair, facing the camera and smiling. She has red lipstick on, tiered white earrings, and a white floral dress on. She is in front of a blurred background.

Erika Reyes (she/her) | Board Secretary

I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley and now live in Monrovia with my husband and teenage daughter. I have worked in the nonprofit world for over 15 years. Since 2009, I have worked at The Wall- Las Memorias (TWLM), an organization that serves low-income and hard to reach communities throughout Los Angeles—educating community members on the importance of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse prevention and community building in the LGBTQIA+ community. Prior to working at TWLM, I was a case manager at Prototypes ICAN, a non-profit that assisted homeless families in securing employment and housing while working on their mental health.

Like my fellow board members, I am a passionate advocate for social change and a dedicated ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. I believe deeply in inclusivity and work tirelessly to create a more equitable and welcoming world for all.

Catherine is a light-skinned person with short ash blond hair and bangs. She is looking off to the side and smiling. She is wearing a white sweater and small necklace. She is in front of a brick rock wall.

Catherine McCallum (she/her) | Board Treasurer

I grew up in Iowa and moved to California 47 years ago. My husband and I raised our three kids here in Monrovia. In 1992, after the birth of my third child, I retired from engineering to become a stay-at-home mom and volunteer math tutor and librarian in Monrovia schools. My volunteer work has always centered on kids, from my years as the treasurer of the Monrovia Youth Baseball League, to my work in the schools, to my years as a member of the Monrovia Guild of Children's Hospital of LA. The needs of children, and their right to be raised in an accepting and loving atmosphere, have always been highest on my list of priorities. I am a strong ally of the LGBTQIA+ community, a defender of the importance of Black Lives, a believer in freedom of (and from) religion, and a supporter of democracy.

Nicole is a brown-skinned person with almond-shaped brown eyes. She has straight dark brown hair and is wearing an orange turtleneck and gold earrings. She is looking at the camera with a neutral expression in front of a blank background.

Nicole Arca (she/her) | Board Member

Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, I’ve always dreamt of a space like Underdog Bookstore. Now that it exists, I’m inspired to uplift its presence and its work in empowering our community through diverse stories, creativity, and access to literature. Pursuing social change is my passion turned profession — as a development leader, I’ve raised millions of dollars for international and local nonprofits dedicated to human rights, the arts, and education.

Donna is a light skinned woman smiling at the camera. She has long straight white hair and bangs. She is wearing a black top with a pearl necklace and earrings. She is in front of a brick wall.

Donna Baker (she/her) | Board Member

Aren't we all "underdogs" at some point in our lives? Underdog bookstore is just what we needed in Monrovia. As a Realtor, many of my clients describe our little town as LGBTQIA friendly, and that's just what this bookstore represents. My dedication to making Monrovia an accepting, inclusive place for all people to live, work and play, makes my association with Underdog especially important. We can't stand by and watch the haters win. I'm a lifelong activist supporting clean energy, reproductive rights, DEI, women's rights, and animal rights, and beyond. I stand with my fellow Board Members to spread the message of inclusion for all!

Amber is a light-skinned person with dark brown wavy hair. She is wearing a colorful colorblock dress and smiling at the camera. She is holding two small white dogs in her arms and standing outside in front of a large tree.

Amber Castellanos (she/her) | Board Member

I'm just a fiesty little Latina with way too many passions and hobbies. I have an MA in English Literature, an orange belt in Karate, and am an avid lover of books and dogs. I grew up in Monrovia (the only place that I ever really fit in), but at the age of 15, my family decided to move us to Moreno Valley, then East LA, then we moved to Boyle Heights during my early 20's. There, I grew into the quirky individual that I now am and developed a immense love and understanding of my culture. I also, learned a great deal from the Rollercoaster that is life.

Now, back in Monrovia, I have a much firmer grasp of who I am. I'm working on my Teaching Credential, my second MA, and have also came out as a proud Bisexual. In moving back to town, I found Underdog and fell in love with with everything that it stands for and represents. I'm still learning things in this crazy world that we live in, but one thing that I have learned for certain is that we need a little more love for the Underdogs out there. So why not do my part and give it?