Two Big Welcomes: Meet the Newest Members of the Book Harvest Team

Big things are happening at Book Harvest! And big things call for extraordinary people. As we grow our work to ensure that all children have the books and support they need to thrive as readers and learners, we are thrilled to welcome two remarkable leaders to our team: Theon Webster, our new Chief Financial Officer and Jessica "JRuss" Russell Gilliam, our new Associate Director of People Operations.

Both bring decades of experience, deep roots in Durham, and a shared belief that strong systems make it possible for people — and missions — to flourish. We can't wait for you to get to know them.

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Theon Webster, Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Theon shapes, implements, and monitors Book Harvest's finances as the organization grows nationally. She leads the Finance Department and serves as the organization's chief strategist for financial health — from annual budgeting, audits, and grant reporting to investment oversight and long-term planning — building the systems and infrastructure that allow Book Harvest's programs to scale sustainably. A believer that financial clarity belongs to everyone, she brings a gift for translating complex numbers into plain language, making fiscal insight accessible to board members, staff, partners, and funders alike.

Theon is a strategic finance leader with more than 20 years of experience guiding financial operations, budgeting, and long-term planning in mission-driven environments. Before coming to Book Harvest, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Divers Alert Network, a global diving-safety nonprofit headquartered in Durham, where she aligned financial strategy with complex international operations, strengthened audit readiness, and built robust financial models to support organizational sustainability. Over more than a decade there, she rose from Assistant Controller to Corporate Controller to CFO, directing a $20 million budget and stewarding the diverse revenue streams behind the organization's emergency response, research, and education programs. Theon holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from North Carolina Central University and has passed all four parts of the CPA exam.

When she isn't balancing the books, you can find Theon volunteering in the community with her church, hanging out with friends and family, reading a great mystery, or trying her hand at a new craft. Her love of a good mystery goes way back: as a child, she devoured the Nancy Drew series.

Thank you to Moss+Ross for helping us find Theon!

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Jessica "JRuss" Russell Gilliam, SHRM-SCP, Associate Director of People Operations

As Associate Director of People Operations, JRuss is the operational backbone of Book Harvest's Talent & Culture team. She stewards the systems and infrastructure that support every member of the staff — from HR technology and people analytics to benefits, compliance, and total rewards — and serves as a warm, trusted resource for teammates navigating policies and workplace questions. She is at her best where people, strategy, and systems intersect, translating data into meaningful conversations that help leaders make evidence-informed decisions and create a workplace where people feel seen, trusted, and equipped to do their best work.

JRuss brings nearly two decades of experience partnering with mission-driven organizations to strengthen culture and build sustainable people systems during periods of growth and change. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she began her career teaching English and photography in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to creativity, inclusion, and community. She went on to lead literacy-based community development programs before transitioning into People Operations, where organizational strategy, culture, and systems became the focus of her work.

Over the past decade, she has built a career bridging strategy and implementation: developing leadership frameworks, coaching managers through difficult conversations, and designing the operational systems that help organizations thrive behind the scenes. Before coming to Book Harvest, she founded her own fractional People and Culture consulting practice, partnering with nonprofits, tech startups, and growing organizations navigating significant change. She holds the SHRM Senior Certified Professional credential along with certifications in people analytics, change management, and inclusive workplace practices.

JRuss lives in Durham with her husband, Corey, and their two dogs, Marquez and Risa. A Cuban American raised on loud family stories, homemade frijoles negros, and a deep connection to the clave, she spends her free time tending an ever-expanding garden (including an ambitious experiment to grow a year's supply of luffas this summer), art journaling, and is rarely without a stack of books she's excited to share. Her favorite children's books are Wonder by R. J. Palacio and God's Dream by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The Story Continues

JRuss and Theon join Book Harvest at a moment of tremendous momentum, as we deepen our work in Durham and expand our reach to communities across the country. Their expertise and passion will help us build an organization as strong as the future we envision for every child.

Please join us in giving them both the warmest of welcomes!