Candidates: 2021 Samvera Board Special Election

Election for term 2021-2024

Nabeela Jaffer

Program Manager for Strategic Projects, University of Michigan Library IT

I am Program Manager for Strategic Projects, at the University of Michigan Library IT. I am responsible for organizing and harmonizing the success of complex, strategic technology initiatives that span multiple Library Information Technology units. In addition to my program management responsibilities, I am also responsible for the management of the IT portfolio resource allocation and cycle planning processes.

For the last six years, I have been actively participating in the Samvera community. I started as a developer working on Sufia code (now Hyrax) and participated in the community sprints. After being promoted to program manager in 2016, I chaired the Interest Group for IT Project Managers, which merged with the Service Management Interest Group, now the Repo Management Interest Group. Over the years, I have represented the University of Michigan in Partner meetings, and Connect presentations. I have actively participated in the Samvera Connect/Virtual Connect Program Committees, Governance Working Group, Marketing Working Group, and Roadmap Alignment Group.

I look forward to this opportunity of working with Samvera Board members in advancing the Samvera vision of building and sustaining a welcoming community of technology and library professionals.

Kevin Kochanski

Client Liaison, Notch8

In my role as Client Liaison at Notch8, I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to engage in the Samvera Community for three years. I served on the Board for a one-year term, and also currently serve as chair of the Hyku Interest Group, and participate in a number of Community efforts, including the Safety Working Group, Partner calls, and multiple Connect/Virtual Connect planning committees.

Although a commercial consultancy, I’m proud of Notch8’s mission to be meaningful contributors to the Community. We meet regularly with institutions who are exploring Samvera among other options and I appreciate the opportunity to share those perspectives with the Board and the Community.

At 17, my very first job was a work-study position at NYU’s Bobst Library and how things have changed. It has brought me great personal satisfaction that my current job allows me to support the Samvera Community.  Thank you in turn for your support.