Julie Rubini

Emeritus Board, Claire’s Day Co-Founder

Julie Rubini is the founder of Claire’s Day and a lifelong advocate for children’s literacy. As a child, she rode her bike to the bookmobile and developed a deep love of reading—one she later shared with her own children. Claire embraced books from an early age, often testing the limits on how many she could bring home from the library. After losing Claire, Julie created Claire’s Day to honor her daughter’s passion for reading. Drawing on her background in marketing and sales in the hospitality industry, Julie helped build the festival into a beloved community tradition and has since become a critically acclaimed children’s book author.

Brad Rubini

Emeritus Board, Claire’s Day Co-Founder

Brad Rubini is a dedicated literacy advocate and co-founder of Claire’s Day. As a child, Brad struggled with reading, and his dyslexia was not diagnosed until his senior year of high school. When reading to Claire, she gently noticed when he skipped or switched words—an experience that humbled and inspired him. After losing Claire, Brad was determined to recognize students working hard to overcome similar challenges. The C.A.R.E. Awards reflect his passion for honoring perseverance in young readers. A past President of Toledo Rotary and former District 6600 Literacy Chair, Brad continues to share his story each year to encourage students and families.

Diana Bush

Executive Director

Diana Bush is the Executive Director of Read for Literacy, where she has served since 1989. A passionate advocate for reading, Diana is especially inspired by individuals who have overcome literacy challenges and transformed struggle into success. She believes that literacy opens doors—not only to academic achievement, but also to confidence, opportunity, and lifelong growth.

Through her leadership at Read for Literacy and her involvement with Claire’s Day, Diana continues to champion the joy of books, the power of perseverance, and the celebration of every reading milestone. The C.A.R.E. Award celebrations at Claire’s Day remain a meaningful highlight of her year.

Kristin Zilke

Claire’s Day Coordinator

Kristin Zilke is the Claire’s Day Coordinator and a Creating Young Readers Program Coordinator at Read for Literacy. A lifelong Maumee resident, Kristin grew up visiting the Maumee Library and developed an early love of books and reading.

Years later, she began bringing her own children to the Claire’s Day Book Festival, which sparked her involvement as a volunteer. As her children grew and started school, her role evolved into a staff position, one she truly loves and values. Kristin is passionate about connecting children and families to books and creating meaningful experiences to help foster a lifelong love of reading in the community she proudly calls home.