Meet the Team
Dia L. Michels
Founder and Publisher
Dia L. Michels founded Platypus Media in 2000 with the goal of creating books that focus on attachment parenting and community. She loves working with the authors and selecting illustrators, and really enjoys developing and licensing world language editions of the books Platypus Media publishes.
In addition to editing and publishing manuscripts, she has written or coauthored over a dozen books for children and adults. Her books have been translated into Spanish, Dutch, Bengali, Hebrew, Haitian Creole, and Washoe. A popular speaker, Dia presents at healthcare, parenting, and education conferences across the country. She is the mother of three grown children, who still keep her busy with their crazy lives, and has several cats.
Favorite Children's Book:
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau by Jon Agee
Tommy at the Grocery Store by Bill Grossman
Ali Trujillo
Chief Operating Officer
Ali keeps Platypus Media running by managing day-to-day operations and logistics. He works with the publisher to implement systems to streamline operations and finances. Ali also works on production coordination, proofreading, and translating Spanish titles.
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Prior to joining Platypus Media, Ali worked at World Wildlife Fund as senior assistant for the food waste program where he managed contract processes for private sector consultants. At WWF Ali also collaborated in admin meetings with clients and colleagues on conservation efforts. He also worked at R Street Institute, a DC-based think tank as a finance and operations associate. Previously he was a production coordinator at Asia Pacific Offset, an international print management company.
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Ali lives in Washington, DC.
Favorite Children's Book:
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Skyler Kaczmarczyk
Senior Editor and Art Director
Skyler, originally from Chicago, Illinois, now calls Washington, DC, home, where her passion for illustrating and teaching kids' art in after-school programs seamlessly merged into a budding career in children's publishing. Inspired by her studies in Kinetic Imaging at VCUarts, Skyler discovered that her true storytelling calling mirrored the enchanting narratives of her childhood—books!
Her dedication to children's literature is fueled by a profound belief in instilling positive messages in young minds. Skyler is particularly drawn to stories that explore the wonders of nature and emphasize the importance of understanding the world around us. At Platypus Media, she feels like she's back in school again, joyfully diving into research for each book, this time in the best way possible.
Favorite Children's Books:
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
Samantha DeWeese
Associate Editor and Marketing Coordinator
Samantha is interested in how storytelling shifts across forms.
At Platypus Media, she moves between marketing and editorial work, bringing the same attention to voice and tone whether she’s shaping messaging or reading a manuscript. As a marketing major and creative writing minor, she’s especially drawn to the space where strategy and story overlap. Outside
of work, she writes poetry and is always thinking about how language can feel different depending on where it lives,
such as on a page, in a film, or in a campaign.
Samantha attends Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, where she is pursuing a B.S. in Marketing with a
minor in Creative Writing. Her coursework focuses on consumer behavior, marketing strategy, creative writing workshops, and digital media production. She additionally has a background in accounting and finance.
Favorite Children's Books:
Where the Wild Things Are
The Harry Potter Series
Darwin Castillo
Information and Technology Coordinator
Darwin has many talents that keep the company afloat, like building and repairing computers, troubleshooting technical difficulties, designing and building storage solutions, and generally fixing everyone's problems. He also has experience in graphic design and home renovation. In his free time, Darwin enjoys mountaineering across the US.
Favorite Book:
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes