Staff of Halo Publishing

• Lisa
  Umina  
• Rafaela
  Cruz  
• Virginia
  Grenier  
• Hilary
  Carr  
• Kristin
  Maurice  
• Christy
  Phillippe  
• Bernita
  McGoldrick  
• Pat
  Salemi   
• Diana
  Donlon  
• Rocio
  Gomez  
• Karla Denisse
  Ramírez Villeda  

 

Lisa M. Umina
Founder, Publisher & Award-Winning Author
Lisa Umina is founder and president of Halo Publishing International (HPI), and the award-winning author of the Milo series. She is recognized for her work as an author, literary consultant and motivational speaker. A regular guest on regional and national television and radio programs and the subject of numerous print articles, Lisa travels extensively, promoting HPI and using the Milo books to expose children to positive values.
 

Rafaela Cruz Hernandez, L.L.P.
Vice President & International Sales
Rafaela brings much talent and expertise to HPI. Her role is expanding our office to Mexico and building retail business in Mexico and promoting HPI Internationally. Rafaela can been seen on Bionatura's national morning program with Dr. Abel Cruz.
 

VS Grenier 
Chief Editor
VS is an award-winning children’s author and editor. She was voted one of the Top Ten Editors of 2007 and 2008 in the Predators and Editors Reader’s Poll, and won 2nd and 7th place in the P&E Reader’s Poll for Best Nonfiction of 2007 and 2008. Grenier learned how to hone her writing skills at the Institute of Children’s Literature, and has memberships in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), League of Utah Writers (HWG chapter), and Musing Our Children.
 

Hilary Carr
Executive Assistant
Hilary is originally from Maine, but has spent most of her adult life living abroad. She has lived in Mexico for the past three years and completed her PhD in Electoral Behavior in June. Hilary's responsibilities include accounting, distribution, fulfillment of book orders, author compensation and other day-to-day operations.
 

David Dalton
Marketing Director
David Dalton, president of Brandywine Communications, manages publicity and media relations for Halo Publishing and is also available to assist HPI writers in the development of their promotional plans. David has more than 15 years' experience in corporate communications. A graduate of Miami University, he lives near Cleveland with his wife Sherri and two sons.
 

Kristin Maurice
Editorial Director
A long-time freelance Editor for HPI, has recently been promoted to Editorial Director. Kristin came to us with a very impressive resume having worked in the publishing industry for the past 18 years for the country's two most influential newspapers, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. She also holds a bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a Master's in Business Management.
 

Christy Phillippe
Editor
Christy has worked in the publishing industry for over seventeen years, as a managing editor, senior editor, and editorial director for various book publishers. In a wide and varied freelance career, she has written and edited hundreds of books, including several New York Times best-sellers. She holds a B.A. in theology and a master's degree in counseling psychology.
 

Bernita McGoldrick
Publishing Consultant
Bernita has been in the field of marketing and design for several years encompassing a wide range of knowledge and creative talents  for corporations and non-profit organizations. She has also published and designed for local magazines and web-zones. In her spare time, Bernita lends her time and talent to non-profit organizational fundraisers that address children's educational challenges and creative experiences. She lives with her family in the NY area.
 

Pat Salemi
Assitant Editor & Special Assignments
Pat has been a general assignment reporter and columnist with Sun News since 1994 covering courts, government and education. She also has written hundreds of human interest feature articles. Pat is a native of Akron, Ohio and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Akron.
 

Diana Donlon (a.k.a. Diane Youngblood Donlon)
Editor and Author
Diana is a *three-time award winning children's author and songwriter. A former teacher to kids in preschool through high school, Diana has taught dance, music, physical education and writing. She has been involved in the publishing industry since 1997.
 

Rocio Gomez
Spanish Translator
Rocio is a certified Technical, Scientific and Literary English-Spanish translator and an EFL Teacher from Rosario, Argentina. She is currently attending the second year of a postgraduate course in Translation on the School of Humanities and Arts at the National University of Rosario. In addition, Rocio has been teaching General Translation I to first year students since April 2006. She also works as a volunteer translator for the International Children's Digital Library."
 

Karla Denisse Ramírez Villeda
Karla studied at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico and has a Bachlor’s Degree in Graphic Design and Visual Arts. Karla brings to Halo her unique digital vision and creates designs that are both innovative and effective. Her primary areas of expertise are: web design, flash animation, and media production.