Welcome to Our 2026–2028 HBC Board of Directors!

We are absolutely thrilled to introduce the newest members of the Hand Bookbinders of California leadership team! Following our recent April elections, our community has come together to elect a fantastic group of volunteers to help guide our guild into its next chapter.

Each of these members brings a wonderful mix of artistic passion, professional expertise, and a deep commitment to the book arts. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our new Board members!

Meet the New Team:

Samantha Cairo-Toby, President: Samantha brings a wealth of knowledge to the Board as a Special Collections Librarian at the San Francisco Public Library in Book Arts & Special Collections. Holding an MA in Medieval Studies and an MLIS, she specializes in the history of the book, fine printing, artists' books, medieval manuscripts, and fine bindings. When she isn't working with historical collections across the Bay Area, Samantha creates her own beautiful artists' books inspired by historical structures and teaches bookbinding and printing to children. She is also a highly experienced board member, having served with the American Printing History Association, her local PTA, and right here at home as HBC’s Newsletter Chair for three years!

Dr. Sarah Cortes, Treasurer: Sarah makes calligraphy books and practices other book arts. She brings more than 20 years of global-scale technology experience to the guild, holding a PhD in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. Alongside her technical background, Sarah has over 20 years of experience on nonprofit Boards, frequently serving as Treasurer. With formal education in accounting and managerial finance, and current experience serving as Treasurer on the Board of her Russian Hill Co-Op, Sarah is perfectly equipped to keep our guild's "books" as well-crafted as our bindings.

Robin Brandes & Coleen Curry, Workshops Chair: Robin Brandes owned an award-winning graphic design firm for 30 years. She completed the Bookbinding Core Certificate Program and the Design Binding Intensive Master Class taught by Dominic Riley at the San Francisco Center for the Book. Robin has been a student of design binding since 2018. For the past 6 years, Robin has volunteered for HBC designing the Annual Members' Exhibition Catalog. Coleen Curry is a multi-award winning design binder and book artist. She exhibits internationally and her work is held in private and public collections. A graduate of the American Academy of Bookbinding in 2009, Coleen leads workshops and teaches privately. She has served on the boards of the San Francisco Center for the Book and the Hand Bookbinders of California.

Emily Patchin, Programs Chair: Emily Patchin is a 2016 North Bennet Street School Bookbinding graduate, and has been an active HBC member for the past decade. Her background outside of bookbinding for the past fifteen years has focused on public engagement across hospitality, education, and pubic library settings. Relevant work experience includes being an Event Assistant at Bookshop Santa Cruz, Guest Experience Representative at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Homework Center Coordinator for the Monterey County Free Public Libraries. She loves talking to people and hosting parties.

A Heartfelt Thank You We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who ran for a position this year, as well as every member who took the time to vote. HBC is a community-led organization, and your participation is what makes our guild thrive. We look forward to a wonderful two years of learning, creating, and growing together!