Berrett-Koehler names Haven Iverson as senior editor as Neal Maillet retires

Berrett-Koehler Publishers said editorial director Neal Maillet will retire July 31 after 16 years, and veteran editor Haven Iverson will join the Oakland-based company as senior editor July 30. The transition keeps BK’s nonfiction acquisition and development work moving as the publisher prepares for its next chapter.

Why it matters: - Berrett-Koehler is replacing a longtime editorial leader while keeping its nonfiction publishing pipeline moving. - The transition affects the books BK acquires and develops in business, leadership, workplace culture, personal development, and social change. - Haven Iverson’s hiring signals continuity for an independent publisher that centers mission-driven nonfiction.

What happened: - Berrett-Koehler Publishers said Editorial Director Neal Maillet will retire on July 31 after 16 years with the company. - Haven Iverson will join Berrett-Koehler as Senior Editor on July 30. - The announcement was made July 30, 2026, from Oakland, California.

The details: - Maillet joined Berrett-Koehler in 2010 and helped shape the company’s publishing program. - During his tenure, Maillet acquired and edited books across business, leadership, workplace culture, personal development and social change. - Steve Piersanti, Berrett-Koehler’s CEO and publisher, said Maillet made an extraordinary contribution to the company and its authors. - Piersanti said Maillet’s influence appears throughout the BK list and his retirement will be a loss for the team. - Iverson brings more than two decades of trade publishing experience to the role. - Iverson previously served as Editorial Director at Sounds True, now part of Macmillan’s St. Martin’s Essentials. - Iverson has edited and collaborated with authors including Pema Chödrön, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Caroline Myss, Clarissa Pinkola Estés, William Ury, Jack Kornfield and Mark Nepo. - Her editorial background spans self-development, psychology, business, leadership, health and wellness, creativity, parenting and spirituality. - Iverson is also a children’s book author and holds an MFA in fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin. - Jeevan Sivasubramaniam, vice president of editorial at Berrett-Koehler, said Iverson pairs strong publishing judgment with a collaborative approach to authors. - Sivasubramaniam said Iverson has a record of developing thoughtful nonfiction with clarity and authenticity. - As senior editor, Iverson will acquire and develop nonfiction books tied to Berrett-Koehler’s mission of connecting people and ideas to create a world that works for all. - Berrett-Koehler said its publications are distributed worldwide by Penguin Random House Publisher Services and have been translated into 54 languages.

Between the lines: - The move pairs a retirement with a carefully matched hire, suggesting Berrett-Koehler wants editorial continuity rather than a strategic reset. - Iverson’s background with high-profile authors and broad nonfiction categories fits BK’s mission-led catalog. - The company is framing the change as both a tribute to Maillet’s legacy and an investment in future authors.

What's next: - Maillet’s retirement takes effect July 31. - Iverson begins July 30 and will start acquiring and developing nonfiction for Berrett-Koehler’s next phase. - BK will continue building books aligned with its positive-change publishing mission.

The bottom line: - Berrett-Koehler is handing editorial leadership to an experienced nonprofit-minded trade editor while closing out a 16-year run from one of its most influential book champions.