Literary Arts News

New Hires & Staff Promotions at Literary Arts

As Literary Arts expands into its next chapter, we’re excited to celebrate the people who make it possible: our staff! We’re thrilled to report on the following new hires and promotions:

Congratulations to our newest hires!

Chloe Gerathy (she/her):
Development Coordinator

Chloe is joining Literary Arts as a Development Coordinator, where she’ll be supporting the growing development team to advance Literary Arts’ fundraising capacities. When she’s not at the office, she’s likely at one of Portland’s many local movie theaters, doing a crossword puzzle at the beach, or reading a Western.

What are you currently reading?
Drop Edge of Yonder by Rudolph Wurlitzer

What are you most looking forward to about working at Literary Arts?
Connecting with LA’s community of readers & writers and attending my first book festival!


Katy Hilton (she/her):
Senior Director of Development &
Community Engagement

Katy Hilton is joining us as Senior Director of Development and Community Engagement! She recently served in development leadership roles at Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, Inner-City Arts, and Center Theatre Group. Katy previously oversaw the state-wide Investing in Artists grants program and the Los Angeles County-based ARC grants program at the Center for Cultural Innovation, and has engaged in multiple capital campaigns and community-wide advocacy projects. She brings more than two decades of arts nonprofit development experience and service to the Literary Arts team.

What are you currently reading?
I just picked up On All Fours by Miranda July, and I’m also reading The Million Dollar Mermaid, Esther Williams’ biography, while I watch the summer Olympics!

What are you most looking forward to about working at Literary Arts?
Being in community with storytellers—especially young writers! I also can’t wait to be in conversation with all the incredible people and partners that support us. And to see the doors open on our new home of course!


Dustin Kurtz (he/him):
Bookstore Manager & Lead Buyer

Dustin Kurtz is joining us as the Bookstore Manager & Lead Buyer for our new bookstore opening fall 2024! He grew up in Michigan, has spent time working in publishing and bookselling in New York City and Grand Cayman, and will not give away the secret if you let him in on your favorite mushroom picking spot. You can find him at the dog park, on a trail, or in a bookstore talking with an embarrassing intensity about books. Thanks for humoring him!

What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading The End by Attila Bartis, the latest translation of his work to be published by the great Archipelago Books. I’m obsessing a bit about his use of stairs and stairwells in his fiction, and how that feels a point of commonality with other Hungarian writers like Nádas.

What are you most looking forward to about working at Literary Arts?
I’m not ashamed to say that I’m most looking forward to touching some of the books we’ll be bringing into the bookstore. Book touching: a legitimate part of my work that absolutely feels too fun to be paid to do.


Jenna Nishimura (she/her):
Public Programs Associate Manager

Jenna Nishimura joins Literary Arts as the Public Programs Associate Manager with over a decade of project management and event orchestration experience with nonprofits and small businesses in the US, the UK, and West Africa. At Literary Arts, Jenna supports the events such as the Portland Arts & Lectures series at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall and the annual Portland Book Festival, as well as the The Archive Project radio show—a podcast and weekly broadcast on Oregon’s NPR affiliate, OPB. 

What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading The Circle by Dave Eggers and Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. On a bit of a dystopian bender at the moment 😉

What are you most looking forward to about working at Literary Arts?
What I’m looking forward to the most has been in motion since Day 1: the fact that nerding out about books and authors with lit enthusiasts is now a component of my workweek instead of being relegated to bookclub meetups!


Aleris Villegas (she/her):
Development Manager

We’re thrilled to be joined by Aleris Villegas as our new Development Manager! Aleris has lived in Oregon since she was five years old and is a proud graduate of Franklin High School and Portland State University. She has a deep love for Portland, embracing its culture and the people who help shape it. As the Development Manager, Aleris raises support for the mission of Literary Arts while also fostering the meaningful relationships and community engagement that the organization is known for. 


Congratulations to our current staff on these promotions!

Rui Dun (she/her):
Associate Director of Operations

Rui has been promoted from the Executive Assistant and Vision Plan Project Manager to the Associate Director of Operations!

Before joining Literary Arts, she worked as a theatre director and administrator, and executive assistant in New York. She immigrated to the US to pursue an MFA in Theatrical Directing and Production, after earning a bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Hunan University in China. Whether through the lens of literature or stage, Rui believes in the power of storytelling to facilitate connection and healing.

What are you currently reading?
Becoming Kin by Patty Krawec; The Selected Works of Audre Lorde, edited and introduced by Roxane Gay; and The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan.

What’s your favorite thing about working at Literary Arts?
The potential for more positive change in and for the community and everyone’s willingness to work towards it.


Hope Levy
Hope Levy (she/they):
Communications Manager

Hope Levy started working at Literary Arts in 2021 as a Communications Assistant, was promoted to Marketing & Communications Coordinator in 2022, and has now been promoted to Communications Manager! They will oversee internal and external-facing communication campaigns, including the creation and management of print and digital collateral, synthesizing the Literary Arts brand across the organization, and more. A storyteller at heart, Hope is passionate about finding the most effective ways to communicate, both through words and design.

What are you currently reading?
Solito by Javier Zamora 

What is your favorite thing about working at Literary Arts?
Engaging with our community, both through creating the designed materials used at our events and in the concert hall. 


Image of Literary Arts staff
Denver Olmstead (she/her):
Senior Executive Assistant and Volunteer Manager

Denver started at Literary Arts in 2016 as a Volunteer Specialist, worked as an interim Development Coordinator in 2023, and has now been promoted to the Senior Executive Assistant and Volunteer Manager!

Denver received her Master of Science degree in Folklore focusing on how readers build community and understanding through stories. Outside the office she is a volunteer at a cat shelter, a storyteller, and a novice painter.

What are you currently reading?
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

What is your favorite thing about working for Literary Arts?
Meeting so many people in Portland who value and support storytelling in all its forms.

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