Staff

Allison Belan, Executive Director

allison@bisg.org

As Executive Director, Allison ensures that BISG brings the industry together through committees, working groups, and research to address emerging challenges before they become crises and to accelerate standards and best practices adoption, all in support of a more informed, more efficient book publishing industry.

Allison joins BISG after a 22-year career at Duke University Press, where she most recently served as Director, Strategic Innovation and Services, overseeing technology operations, publishing infrastructure, supply chain strategy, and publishing services. Her experiences at the press included production management, digital publishing strategy, standards adoption, accessibility compliance, and inventory and distribution process engineering. 

Allison has served on the AUPresses board, on AUPresses program and EDP committees, and on SSP committees. She is a frequent contributor to panels and webinars on topics ranging from enterprise software strategy to the nuts and bolts of European Accessibility Act compliance. 

Allison holds an MA from UNC Chapel Hill in English and a BA from the University of Alabama. She began her publishing career at the age of 6, when she self-published a crayon-illustrated “book” and slipped it onto the grocery store’s book section shelves. Allison is based in Durham, North Carolina, where she enjoys weekly trips to the farmer’s market, the vibrant restaurant scene, and the easy access to both beach and mountain getaways. 

Brooke Horn, Membership & Operations Manager

brooke@bisg.org 

Brooke Horn is the Membership & Operations Manager at BISG. Since joining the staff in September 2023, she has dedicated herself to mobilizing the 100+ publishing professionals who volunteer their time each month to shape industry standards and develop needed resources through BISG's committees and working groups. Brooke also manages membership support, growth, and retention, as well as the day-to-day operations that keep the organization running.

Her recent work includes leading BISG's AI Working Group, in partnership with BookNet Canada, in the development and publication of AI Use Across the North American Book Industry, an annual survey whose findings have been widely cited across the publishing field. 

Brooke holds an MS in Book Publishing from Portland State University and a BA in English from the University of Florida. Her prior experience includes roles at Audible, Guilford Press, and Pediment Publishing. She volunteers her time serving on IBPA's Legislation and Standards Committee. Based in New York City, she's happiest when outdoors or getting lost in books and museums.

Liz Bartek, Marketing & Communications Manager

With over 20-years of experience in marketing, communications, and fundraising across the nonprofit and retail sectors, Liz brings a deep understanding of how to grow mission-driven organizations and connect meaningfully with diverse audiences.

As Marketing & Communications Manager at the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), she leads strategic messaging and engagement initiatives across a broad network of publishing stakeholders. Her work focuses on crafting clear, consistent communications that support BISG’s mission to create a more efficient and effective book industry.

Prior to joining BISG, Liz led marketing strategy and events for three independent bookstores and an e-commerce brand, playing a key role in their double-digit growth. At RJ Julia Booksellers and its affiliates, she managed cross-functional marketing teams, developed strategic campaigns, delivered analytics-driven insights, and built lasting partnerships with both publishers and community organizations.

Earlier in her career, Liz held development roles at Hebrew Health Care, where she executed successful fundraising campaigns, secured foundation and corporate support, and planned donor cultivation events.

A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, Liz thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments where mission, creativity, and measurable impact intersect.