Our Team

BGG Changers Team

Work with us!

Janna Alcaraz

Illustrator and Artist Changer

Janna, a Mexican-American artist, is a nature enthusiast and animal lover who has always admired the wonder of storytelling. She worked many years in art galleries and is also an eco-entrepreneur. Her natural surroundings are a consistent part of the inspiration for her drawings, paintings and photographs.

Shami McCormick

Story Changer & Aunt M

Shami is a performer, writer, editor and Fowl whisperer. Previously a Producing Artistic Director of a professional theatre company and now freelance director and editor, McCormick can often be found at Universal Studios where she is a Wandkeeper. Shami brings expertise and a love of storytelling to BGG and will help create and navigate the magical trails upon which the Changers will quest.

Samori Etienne

Bea’s LibrarianTeller

Samori is a writer, actor, director, and filmmaker, hailing from New Jersey. He graduated from Williams College this spring with a B.A. in Theatre and English. Samori is in charge of the magical words and archives for characters, including backstories and marvelous tales.

John Christopher Jones

Master Thespian & Gloman

John will head character development for BGG, focusing particularly on the part of ‘Gloman the Wizard’, whom he will play at certain points. Jones is also a BGG Investor. An actor for 50 years, among more than a dozen shows on Broadway, he played Cogsworth the Clock in Beauty and the Beast and was the school teacher, Dobbins, in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Lucille Lortel winner for his translation of Checkov’s play The Cherry Orchard. Also, as an associate director of the Depot Theatre, he directed classical and contemporary productions.

Kalpita Chakote

Gad’s & Gloman's LibrarianTeller

Kalpita Chakote is a recent graduate of Northwestern University where she studied acting, screenwriting, and creative writing. She recently played The Angel of Time, Miriam in the staged reading of Letters from London by Samah Meghjee and understudied Professor Aman/Ghost/Police Officer in the Wirtz production of Water by the Spoonful by Quiara Alegría Hudes.

Scott Schafer

StoryTeller Changer

Scott has worked On Broadway, Off Broadway and at Regional theaters including Cinncinatti Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St Louis, David Geffen Theatre in LA and The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Television credits include Chapelle’s Show, One Life to Live, Law and Order. At the ripe old age of 55, Scott decided to try something new. He became a Flight Attendant for a major carrier. He lives in New York City with his husband.

Nathaniel Wolf

Associate Developer

Nate is a software engineer based in New York City. After working as a mechanical engineer for several years, he transitioned into programming to explore the exciting world of modern technology. At BGG, he is fine-tuning our website and databases, and troubleshooting the Betwix portal.

Penelope Vonswitz

Changer in Training

Penelope Vonswitz is a student at Boston Arts Academy, and a Student Associate working with BGG as an Admin Intern/Creative Changer. Since May, Pen has worked on the Connects, Purple Pouches, and has created the “Countess Spider and Mistress Ladybug Mystery Story” which will be included in the Connects and on the ChangersAdventures Series digital platform.

Alan Trinkle

Chief Edutainment Officer

Alan has spent his career supporting the business, marketing, and product launches of Fortune 500 companies, charities, & non-profits. He takes passion in the intersection of Education and Entertainment; the interactions of people, their worlds, and deeper relationships between them all.

Betsy Weaver Ed.D.

Founding Changer

Betsy is a serial entrepreneur and ‘Changer’ who created two new niche markets and successfully exited both. She is now venturing into her third – BGG Creative Studio. Beyond business acumen and innovation, Weaver holds a doctorate in Social Policy and Trend Analysis from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Masters degrees from both Harvard University and Bank Street College of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts from Lake Forest College.

Matteo Baez-Giangreco

Youth Advisor

Matteo is a junior at Boston Latin School, and a Student Associate working with BGG as an Admin & Tech Intern/Creative Changer. Matteo is also a part of the Boston Student Advisory Council (BSAC), a student-led body aiming to address prominent issues in BPS and create action plans to resolve them.

Bill Lindsay

Executive Editor

Bill is an award-winning writer, editor and content executive who has successfully directed multi-channel approaches to engaging and informing niche audiences in a variety of spheres (health, learning, parenting, life stages and more). An effective manager of people, processes, and change, Bill enjoys bridging business priorities and creative assets to guide editorial and technical production.