Paulette Bellins is the founder of Lit City Book Club, where she brings her project management and event-planning experience to curate meaningful, community-centered literary events created for us, by us. With nearly a decade of experience working in the largest public library system in the United States, she is deeply committed to using literature, culture, and conversation as tools for connection and empowerment.

Paulette holds a Master of Library and Information Science and is a lifelong lover of libraries, books, and storytelling in all its forms. She believes that everyone deserves access to stories that reflect them and resources that help them be heard. Through Lit City, she creates spaces that support readers at every level while fostering joy, dialogue, and collective growth.

Outside of Lit City, Paulette enjoys literary fiction, karaoke, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Doly is the co-founder of Lit City Book Club where she brings her strategic vision and leadership expertise to create a welcoming community for book lovers. Currently serving as Chief Strategy Officer, Doly has held executive roles as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer, leveraging her extensive background in corporate leadership and organizational growth.

She holds an MBA in Corporate Finance and is a proud recipient of the Chartered Leadership Fellowship Credential from The American College.

Passionate about bringing people together, Doly thrives on mentoring others and fostering meaningful connections. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, exploring new ideas, and contributing to her community’s growth, both personally and professionally.

Tyler is a member of the Lit City Book Club planning team, where he brings his experience as an attorney and community organizer. 

Currently serving as the Chief Growth Officer, Tyler is a lifelong bookworm (fantasy and sci-fi nerds, unite) and believes that books provide an indispensable medium for people to connect over shared experiences.  He is committed to helping historically marginalized literary voices flourish.

He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and, in his free time, enjoys cultivating community with friends, exploring New York and being physically active (both in the gym and the boxing ring).  He is also big on mentorship, with years of experience helping students from underrepresented backgrounds achieve their goal of attending law school.  

Danielle R. De Souza is a seasoned Communications Specialist with 20+ years of experience across journalism, public relations, and crisis communication.

She began her career in community journalism while pursuing her undergraduate and graduate studies, building a strong foundation in storytelling, investigative reporting, and public engagement. Danielle later served as a Crime Reporter for Westchester County’s largest daily newspaper and contributed to multiple print and digital outlets as a community reporter. 

Over the past five years, Danielle has served as a Spokeswoman and Public Information Officer for high-profile New York City and State agencies. In these roles, she has led strategic communications during major public initiatives and crises—delivering clear, trusted messaging and coordinating media in high-pressure environments