Noon Speaker Series
All programs are held at 12 noon in the Rose Room, Auburn City Hall, 1225 Lincoln Way, Auburn.
April 17, 2026
Christy Braun — “The Mary Poppins of Death”
Some people talk about walking between worlds, but Christy Braun lives there. Known as “The Mary Poppins of death,” Braun is a gentle guide with a bottomless bag of wisdom, presence, and practical magic for those facing life’s final transition. Before stepping into this sacred work, Braun navigated the high seas of corporate risk management. A deeper calling eventually led her to trade OSHA regulations for salt water and set sail for the unknown. Today she helps the dying, and those who love them, feel less alone, less afraid, and more alive in the face of life’s one true counterpoint.
May 15, 2026
Shanthi Margoschis — Leadership in Community Healthcare
Shanthi Margoschis, a healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience as a registered nurse and hospital administrator, is the new CEO of Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital. Most recently, Margoschis served as chief operating officer, senior vice president, and interim area manager for Kaiser Permanente in the San Jose region. She also served as chief nurse executive at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in California and previously as chief nursing executive and senior director at Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield. Margoschis holds a doctorate in health administration from the University of Phoenix and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore, India. She has also completed the Executive Leadership program at Harvard Business School. In 2021 she was named Nurse Leader of the Year by the Kaiser Foundation and recognized as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence.
June 19, 2026
Phil Sexton — The Chinese Railroad Workers and the Sierra Crossing
Phil Sexton is a cultural and natural resource interpreter and historian who studies California’s early development, especially the transportation routes that shaped the state—including early trails, wagon roads, and the transcontinental railroad across the Sierra Nevada. Currently, he works as a historian and consultant for the 1882 Foundation, researching and interpreting the history of the transcontinental railroad, particularly the vital role of Chinese laborers who built the Central Pacific Railroad eastward from Sacramento. Sexton was part of the team responsible for securing National Historic Landmark designation for Summit Camp at Donner Pass—the only landmark honoring the Chinese workers who built the railroad across the Sierra summit. Phil and his wife Norma live near Auburn on part of a historic orchard, along with several barn cats, turkeys, and assorted wildlife
These presentations are part of the Friends of the Library’s speaker series addressing topics around community well-being and civic engagement. Suggestions for programs can be made to Bob Snyder at snyder@jps.net.