Windy City Publishers
2118 Plum Grove Road #349
Rolling Meadows, IL  60008
www.windycitypublishers.com
info@windycitypublishers.com
(888) 673-7126

 

Lise Marinelli, President

Lise Marinelli founded Windy City Publishers in January 2009 after realizing the publishing industry was changing dramatically and the old way of doing business was not meeting the needs of new writers. As a first-time author, she recognized that few opportunities existed for new writers to collaboratively work with a team of publishing and design experts who shared their passion, goals and willingness to work for the success they desired.

Lise honed her business management and client-service skills as owner of a number of successful business ventures. Her experience as an author keeps her connected to the creative side of the publishing business and her mission for Windy City Publishers is simple - continue to serve the literary community with integrity and honesty and to give writers and authors their best chance for success.

Lise received her B.S. in Accounting with high honors from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.

 

Kristyn Friske,
Executive VP Business Development & Marketing

Kristyn Friske joined Windy City Publishers as a partner in May 2009 with a pedigree background in new business development and marketing for consumer packaged goods companies. Kristyn leads the WCP’s strategic marketing and business development activities, including developing and positioning the company’s product offerings, creating customized marketing plans for clients and managing all marketing communications.

Kristyn started her marketing career at World Book Encyclopedias and feels she has come full circle returning to the publishing industry. She held a variety of management positions at Quaker Oats before founding a consulting company that specialized in new business development. Clients included venture capital groups, Heinz, and Kraft Foods.

Kristyn has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and a B.A. from Wellesley College, Wellesly, MA

 

Dawn McGarrahan Wiebe, Executive VP Editorial & Creative

Dawn McGarrahan Wiebe also joined WCP in May of 2009 and brings 20 years of experience in writing and editing to Windy City Publishers. As Vice President of Editorial and Creative for WCP, she shares her passion for creative excellence with authors, editors, and designers from across the globe.

After working in the corporate world for several years, she made the freelance leap and formed Lane 5 Communications where she was able to use her skills to help companies like Coca-Cola and GTE meet their communication needs. Dawn jumped at the unique chance to help reinvent the publishing model and give authors more access to having their voices heard. Dawn’s writing and editorial skills were molded by the instructors from the Writer’s Workshop at The University of Iowa.

Dawn received a B.A. in English with a writing emphasis, and a B.A. in Mass Communications from The School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the Unversity of Iowa.

 

Craig Arnson, General Counsel

Craig has over 25 years experience in contract law and his breadth of experience ranges from real estate investment management, to capital markets and acquisitions. In addition to his current position with Windy City Publishers, he is also a Managing Director and General Counsel for a private investment company. Craig also is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Illinois, New York, and North Carolina and a member of the American Bar Association. He lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife, children, and a socially challenged dog.

Craig is a graduate of the University of Michigan (B.A., Economics) and the Boston University School of Law (J.D.).

 

Rachel Ney, Project Manager

Rachel attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison as an undergraduate, using the time to expand her horizons, including a semester abroad in London which gave her the irreversible travel bug. After graduating in 2007 with a double degree in Journalism (with a focus on strategic communications) and English literature, Rachel found a job in her chosen field—book publishing. After six years of publishing experience, she had the extreme fortune to add her editorial and design skills to the talented Windy City Publishers team in 2010. Recently, Rachel has decided to pursue her master's degree in Media Studies. She was offered an assistantship at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she is focusing on changes in the book industry. Rachel currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Stella, her sassy yet affectionate cat.

 

Rhonda Levitt, Office Manager

Rhonda brings 13 years of office managerial skills to the Windy City family. Her prior experience overseeing the operations of an independent insurance agency, as well as her keen sense of thoroughness and detail, have proven to be a perfect backdrop for the overall functions of our team. From organization and scheduling, to client relations and administrative needs, Rhonda's ability to wear many different hats has been an asset to Windy City. When Rhonda isn't working, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and 2 sons, scrapbooking, or organizing the chaos at home that ensues from raising children.

 

Francesca Amari-Sajtar, Author Services Manager

Francesca has over 25 years of experience writing and editing newsletters and publications for nonprofit organizations (NPOs); and managing public & media relations, special events and marketing efforts for numerous NPOs. She works directly with our clients, assisting with questions, advice and helping to manage their publishing process. She has served as a Copy Editor and news reporter and currently directs audiobooks for Brilliance Audio and Random House. Francesca is also an accomplished performer, having graced stages from NYC to Hollywood, and is a Teaching Artist for the McCallum Theatre Institute in Palm Springs, CA.

 

Noel Gardener, IT Manager

Noel brings over 15 years of experience to WCP's IT department. From videography, to photographer to website and IT development, her skills are invaluable to the WCP team. She has worked for a number of independent production companies as a graphic designer, website and IT director, production engineer, editor, videographer and producer. Noel received her B.S in Entertaiment Business from Full Sail University in Florida.

 

Michael Postlethwait, Web Designer

Michael has over 10 years experience in web design and everything IT. In addition to his current position with Windy City Publishers, he is also an Infrastructure Specialist for the State of Ohio. Michael has an Associates Degree in Multimedia Design, Marketing and is a graduate of DeVry University with a B.A. Degree in Business Information Systems.

Michael lives in Caldwell, OH where he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson, but he ultimately prefers spending quality time with his wife and 2 kids. The Postlethwaits are expecting their third child in June.

 

Mary Wallace, Accounting Manager

Mary has over 20 years of corporate business management experience. She has previously worked in human resources development and as a training specialist in addition to producing numerous corporate publications and newsletters. Mary recently turned to college and received her accounting degree and currently serves as WCP's corporate accountant and business manager. Mary is a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago with a B.S. in Accounting.