Kealie Mardell-Carrera

Kealie Mardell-Carrera is the founder of the Underdog Bookstore nonprofit, offering a safe community space in the San Gabriel Valley. After emigrating from England in 2015, she spent many years helping disabled and neurodivergent students to build their skills, confidence, and love of reading. When their local bookstore was at risk of closing in the face of hate, they stepped in to save the space and continue the mission of uplifting marginalized voices. When not at the bookstore, Kealie and her many beloved and unusual pets work with local animal therapy nonprofit, The Little Zoo, to bring joy, love and healing to seniors, foster youth, and complex needs communities.