RWA Board of DirectorsContact the Board at [email protected]. OfficersPresident: Jennifer Bokal
Jennifer D. Bokal penned her first book at age eight. An early lover of the written word, she followed her passion, becoming a full-time writer. From there, she never looked back. Jennifer considers herself to be a writer of romantic suspense and consistently writes books for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. But she has published over 25 spicy romance novels in a variety of genres. She earned a Master of Arts in creative writing from Wilkes University and joined the Romance Writers of America. In 2025, she was elected as President-Elect of RWA. Happily married to her own alpha male hero, Jennifer and her husband live in upstate New York with their three beautiful daughters, two spoiled dogs, and a kitten who aspires to be a Chihuahua. Secretary: Betty Bolté
Directors-at-LargeVenus Campbell
She serves as Secretary for the RWA Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Romance subgroup. Her career history includes Federal advocacy and effective grantmaking. She has presented to U.S. Congressional members and performed for past U.S. presidents. Gail Chianese
I’m loving life and living my fantasy with my husband, one precious pup, and two adorable cats who rule the roost. Beyond writing, I like to ghost hunt, paint, and I’ve always got a book to read. As a Navy wife, I’ve lived in eight states (and explored all 50), plus two countries besides the US. I’ve lost track of how many I’ve visited, but plan to add more to the list. Robin Hillyer-Miles
Toni Jackson
Chapter Board AdvisorUrsula Renee
Ursula joined RWA hoping to improve her writing skills. What she discovered was a community of supportive writers who understood the ups and downs of being a romance author. Besides writing, Ursula enjoys photography and traveling. She lives with her son and two cats. PAN AdvisorL. E. Sterling
PRO AdvisorDr. Cynthia Lea Clark
Dr. Cynthia Lea Clark, Psy.D., Ph.D., MHt, was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She graduated from Northwestern with a BS in Communications/Psychology/Education. She then attended nursing school and became a firefighter paramedic. While acting on many television shows such as DAYS OF OUR LIVES and STAT, she continued her education with a Master's and a Doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D.). After a psychopath stalked her, she helped author the California Privacy Law SB 262, which led to her working in Forensic Psychology with a specialty in stalking, serial killers, terrorism, and body language. President EmeritusJacki Renée
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Betty Bolté is an award-winning author and editor of fiction and nonfiction. She earned a Master’s Degree in English, emphasizing the study of literature. She’s authored 30+ books, including her recent release of Snow on Magnolias, a historical Christmas romance set in North Alabama; the Fury Falls Inn historical fantasy series set in North Alabama; and historical fiction novels Becoming Lady Washington and Notes of Love and War, set during WWII in Baltimore. A Maryland native, she lives in Alabama with her husband of 35+ years. Learn more at 
Venus Campbell is the Winner of the Kroger Award for Excellence in Creative Writing, the Golden Wizard Book Prize, and the 2025 Bookfest Awards. She placed in various writing contests, including the Central Ohio Ignite the Flame, the New England First Kiss, and the Literary Global Book Awards. Campbell is a member of the Authors Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
I’m Gail Chianese, a multi-published author of contemporary romance and paranormal romantic suspense. My writing, no matter the genre, consistently delivers humor, sassy heroines (like me), and stand-up heroes, creating narratives enriched with the warmth of family and friends—because love ‘em or not, life is boring without them.
Robin Hillyer-Miles writes cozy, magical contemporary romance stories. She’s published in short form in the Love in the Lowcountry anthologies. Robin lives happily in the SC Lowcountry with her husband, college-aged son, two cats, and the perfect dog. She’s a certified city of Charleston tour guide and a 300+ hour trained yoga instructor.
Toni Jackson-Goins is a storyteller whose writing transcends traditional genres, seamlessly fusing heart-pounding suspense, rich cultural narratives, and boundless imagination. With a dual bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from the University of Maryland University College, she holds a deep passion for writing interracial and African American romantic suspense, paranormal, and contemporary romance. Author of five books (for now), Toni crafts stories that celebrate the diversity of love and the resilience of the human spirit. She has served on several committees, as well as chair of the RWA Diversity Advisory Committee.
Ursula Renée writes historical fiction set in the early to mid-twentieth century, when people began challenging society's conventions and expressing their individuality. Since joining RWA in 2009, she has served as the PRO Liaison, Vice-President, and President of RWA/NYC. She has also served on the RWA University Committee.
Inspired by my childhood roaming across Canada in a van, I’ve authored multiple novels that somehow blur together romance, fantasy, science fiction, dystopian fiction and YA. I joined RWA as a PAN member in 2016 because there is always something important to learn, and RWA has the people to learn it from. While I’ve lived all over Canada, I now reside in the French-speaking suburbs of Montreal, Quebec, where I enjoy the romantic, lost-in-translation life of an anglo ex-pat.
I am Jacki Renée, a storyteller. Many writers search for the right words to hook the reader. I write from the heart to connect with people.