The leadership series continues with Sonia Alcántara-Antoine. Sonia is not only the CEO of Baltimore County Public Library (MD), but she recently became the President of the Public Library Association (PLA) which has almost 9,000 members in communities around the United States and Canada. PLA is the largest association serving public library professionals. In this conversation, Sonia shares her leadership journey and the importance of not being afraid to say yes, building a strong network, overcoming imposter syndrome and becoming confident enough to show up unapologetically as your authentic self. . . even in spaces where there aren’t a lot of folks that look like you.

ABOUT SONIA ALCÁNTARA-ANTOINE

Sonia Alcántara-Antoine is the CEO of Baltimore County Public Library (MD), overseeing 19 branches, 550 dedicated staff, and a budget of $45 million. She was recently named one of the Top 100 Women in Maryland. Prior to joining Baltimore County Public Library, she was director of Newport News Public Library (VA) and held leadership positions at Virginia Beach Public Library (VA) and Enoch Pratt Free Library (MD). 

She is the president of the Public Library Association and is on the board of the Maryland Association of Public Library Administrators. Sonia is proud to be an American Library Association Spectrum Scholar, and holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University. Sonia is a renowned speaker and thought leader on the art and science of library leadership, actively shaping the profession for today and tomorrow. 

Click below to find out more about Sonia and the Public Library Association.

https://www.ala.org/pla/about/people/board/alcantara-antoine