Palm Beach County Library Association
Board of Directors
Tiffany Pagan
President, 2026-2028
Born and raised in South Florida, Tiffany Pagan has always had a genuine passion for the libraries that serve her community. With nearly two decades of experience at the Boynton Beach City Library—starting in high school and working her way up to Assistant Library Director—she brings a deep understanding of public service and leadership. Tiffany holds a Master of Science in Information from Florida State University, a Master’s degree in Accounting, and is a proud graduate of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute. She values the power of knowledge and helping others access it. In her free time, she unwinds through creative projects and globe-trotting family trips.
Afra Burton
President-Elect, 2026-2028
Afra earned her Master of Science in Information from Florida State University in 2023 and is a graduate of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute. She has worked in public libraries since 2009, holding a variety of roles throughout her career. Afra spent more than six years as a Member Services Manager with the Palm Beach County Library System, where she focused on public service and team development. Outside of librarianship, she enjoys caring for house plants, working on jigsaw puzzles, and traveling.
Charlene Alonso
Past-President, 2025-2026
Charlene is currently a Library Associate III/Adult Volunteer Facilitator with PBCLS, sinch 2020. In her role, she plays a vital part in enhancing community engagement through library services and volunteer coordination. Her educational background includes a master's degree in business management from the University of Phoenix.
Throughout her tenure at PBCLS, Charlene has actively contributed to various committees that focus on inclusivity and representation. Notably, she has served on the African American Alliance Committee, where she worked to promote cultural awareness and support for African American communities.
Her mission: "To inspire others through her passion for libraries while fostering a supportive community that values lifelong learning and personal growth."
Charlene enjoys a variety of personal interests that enrich her life. She enjoys exploring new places allowing her to gain fresh perspectives and experiences. Most importantly, she values spending quality time with friends and family, recognizing the importance of personal relationships in maintaining a balanced life.
Nafisah Hamed
Secretary, 2026-2028
Nafisah began her career with the Palm Beach County Library System in February 2023 as a Administrative Technician I in the Staff Development and Personnel department. In this role, she supported internal personnel operations under the guidance of the Library Personnel Services Coordinator and worked closely with Palm Beach County Human Resources on a variety of staffing and employee-related matters.
In 2024, Nafisah transitioned to the role of Research Librarian at the Acreage Branch Library, serving in that position through 2025. There, she combined her passion for research with her commitment to public service, helping community members access information, discover resources, and participate in a variety of programs tailored to their interests. In September 2025, Nafisah was promoted to Systemwide Adult Activities Coordinator for PBCLS. In this role, she collaborates with a wide range of internal and external partners to develop innovative programs, expand access to resources, and create meaningful experiences for residents throughout Palm Beach County.
Beyond her branch responsibilities, Nafisah has been actively involved in systemwide engagement efforts. She currently serves as Chair of the Amplifying Pacifica and Asia Committee and contributes to several other committees across PBCLS. Beyond working, Nafisah enjoys traveling to comic cons, attending K-Pop concerts, and reading fantasy books.
Valerrie Pritt
Treasurer, 2025-2027
Valerrie Pritt holds a background in Business Administration and earned her MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in 2005. After relocating to South Florida, she accepted a position as a Library Associate, where she discovered a passion for community service. This inspired her to pursue further education in Library Science, and she earned her MLIS from the University of South Florida in 2015. Shortly after, she was promoted to a Librarian and began combining her business knowledge with her library work to support the local business community. Today, Valerrie serves as the Business Librarian for the Palm Beach County Library System, where she connects businesses and job seekers with county resources, classes, research support, and outreach events.
Makeisha Johnson
Director: Public Libraries, 2025-2027
Makeisha began her journey with the Palm Beach County Library System as a student employee in 2012. In 2018, she transitioned into the role of Library Associate 2 in Member Services, and in 2022, proudly earned her Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida. Makeisha currently serves as a Research Librarian and is honored to be the Chair of the African American Alliance for the Palm Beach County Library System. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, crafting, reading, exploring new restaurants, and playing video games.
Melissa Welden
Director At Large, 2026-2028
Melissa Welden is a native South Floridian who grew up in Broward County then moved to Palm Beach County as a newlywed in 2004. That same year she began her 20-year career as an elementary school teacher for the School District of Palm Beach County. In August 2022, she enrolled in the M.L.I.S. degree program at University of South Florida. She loves learning new things and was inspired to become a librarian while taking her sons to the children’s programs at the Royal Palm Beach Branch. She also volunteered at the Acreage Branch while earning her degree.
She worked as a Media Specialist from August 2023 to April 2024 at Northmore Elementary. During that time she weeded the entire school library collection, collaborated on a Winter Reading Program with the West Palm Beach Mandel Public Library, added many new titles per student requests to the library collection, and designed a “new” shelf area to help get students excited about reading. After graduating with her M.L.I.S. degree in December 2023, she decided to follow her dream of working for the Palm Beach County Library System and applied for and accepted a position as a Research Librarian at the Acreage Branch in April 2024.
Sasha Switz
Membership Chair, 2026-2028
Sasha Switz was born and raised in Palm Beach County. While a lifelong lover of libraries, she first began working in libraries in 2021. She started out shelving books as a library page at the Boca Raton Public Library and then moved into their Account Services department as a part-time library assistant. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University with her Bachelor's degree in English with Honors in 2024. After graduating, she was hired by the Palm Beach County Library System as a Library Associate II. She had the privilege of helping open the Canyon branch library in January 2025. In 2026, she was hired on as a Library Associate IV and is currently the Bookmobile Supervisor for the Palm Beach County Library. She is currently enrolled in the Master's of Science in Information program at Florida State University.
Sasha has a deep passion for libraries and the role they play in the community, as well as advocating for equitable access for all members. While at Canyon, the book club program she developed brought people of differing viewpoints together for open and curious discussions, while nurturing each participant’s love of reading. As the Bookmobile supervisor, she helps to bridge the transportation gap for many library members who live too far from a branch and brings the library to them instead. While managing the rigorous and unique Bookmobile schedule and providing library services to the county, she also takes part in as many community outreach opportunities as possible. While not busy at work, she always has her head in a book, which has surely been checked out from a library.