Please Welcome Our New Board President!

Since we began the festival, many moons ago now, the Unbound board has been led by Cathy Salter, a fine writer herself and one of the leading literary lights in our community. After many years of service, Cathy has decided to step down from her position at President of the Board. We remain hugely grateful for all the hard work she has done - and, happily, will continue to do - for Unbound. As we wave goodbye to Cathy, we’re thrilled to announce that Jenelle Beavers has stepped into the position.

Jenelle joined the UM System Office of the General Counsel after serving as the Associate Director of MU’s Honors College. Originally from Kansas City, MO, she holds a B.A. in English from MU. She earned her J.D. and M.P.H. from the University of Michigan where she was an editor of the Michigan Law Review. Before moving back to Missouri, Jenelle spent eight years as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice. In 2011, she earned a special commendation from the Assistant Attorney General for Outstanding Service for her work on behalf of U.S. taxpayers. From 2005-2008, she was a litigation associate in the Washington D.C. office of Latham & Watkins. Jenelle also currently serves on the Missouri Supreme Court’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness and the Kinder Institute Advisory Board.