Jamie Rogers Southern, executive director of Bookmarks, a literary arts nonprofit and independent bookstore in Winston-Salem, N.C., will step down in January 2027 after 15 years of service to the organization. The Bookmarks board of directors is launching a search for the organization's next executive director.
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| Jamie Rogers Southern | |
Southern was appointed executive director in April 2021 following a nationwide search, after serving six months as interim executive director and nine years as operations director.
"Bookmarks has become so much more than a bookstore or a festival. It's a community built around books, curiosity and connection," she said. "I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished together over the past 15 years, and deeply grateful to the staff, board, volunteers, partners and readers who have made it possible. Bookmarks has a strong foundation and an exciting future, and I look forward to seeing what comes next."
Board president Candice Wooten Brown commented: "Jamie's leadership has helped position Bookmarks for its next chapter. We have a talented, experienced team, a strong board and a new strategic plan that will guide our continued growth and impact. We are grateful for Jamie's extraordinary contributions and confident in the opportunities ahead."
The board, which will begin recruiting the next executive director in the coming weeks, noted that it is seeking "a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who shares Bookmarks' passion for bringing writers and readers together and building community through books. The next leader will build on Bookmarks' established relationships, growing reach and strong organizational foundation to advance its mission and shape its next chapter."
Brown added: "Bookmarks is well positioned for the future. We're excited to find a leader who can build on this momentum while bringing new ideas and energy to the organization and the community we serve."