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Who We Are

We all have personal stories and motivations that connect us to the Learning Ally mission. Our strength comes from embracing our differences, enjoying and respecting each other, and sharing a passion and commitment to providing equity in education so each student is able to achieve their academic and life goals.

Leadership

“I've always had a personal interest in creating equity and access for all learners, no matter where, or to whom they were born. At Learning Ally, we’re doing that.”

Patrick Brennan

Vice President of Government Relations

“I am passionate about literacy. I volunteer my personal time to tutor at the neighborhood elementary school and local Girls' Club. I am so excited to be joining Learning Ally in their mission, where I can increase my impact to many more students who need support.”

Kelly Del Tufo

Vice President of Solutions Design

“Reading is the gateway for children that makes all other learning possible” yet understanding our national literacy crisis, I am inspired to dedicate my time and talent to ensure students have equal opportunities to learn and succeed.”

Ann Marie Fairweather

Chief People Officer

“I’ve worked at companies focused solely on profit, but at Learning Ally, when we say that we’re focused on helping students and educators first and foremost, we really mean it. I really appreciate that we’re making a difference.”

Jeff Ho

Chief Machine Learning & Innovation Officer

"I am truly honored to be a part of this big mission and am personally committed to leveraging my expertise and Learning Ally technology in support of student literacy and lifelong success."

Arthur “Artie” Jordan

Vice President of Technology &
Chief Information Security Officer

“I am drawn to Learning Ally by a profound sense of purpose – I believe that every child's ability to read is not just a skill but the key to unlocking their limitless potential. It's not about changing the world; it's about empowering the world's future creators, thinkers, and leaders.”

James Kenigsberg

Interim Chief Digital Officer

“Partnering with Districts and States in educational equity has enormous potential for building a literate society and a generation that is healthier, happier and better equipped to tackle the world’s challenges. I’m thrilled to be a part of the Learning Ally mission”

Chris Lohse

Chief of Staff

“A curiosity cap sits atop my head daily. I not only get curious. I stay curious and run headlong into a daily commitment to learn and grow. This curiosity has driven me to smash the literacy divide by sparking a flame of understanding and enthusiasm in others.”

Terrie Noland, Ph.D., CALP

Vice President of Educator Initiatives

“My former students, the educators I’ve worked with, my son and the millions of students who struggle to learn to read, inspire me to do this work. There’s a science to this work of literacy and we need to equip every educator to become literacy leaders, whether they teach Pre-K or Chemistry.”

Missy Sherburne

Chief of Growth and Strategic Partnerships

“I have the opportunity to create life-changing impact through providing the tools that increase a student's ability to learn. Helping students reach their full potential is absolutely the best use of my time and knowledge.”

Tim Wilson

Interim Chief Executive Officer &
Chief Financial Officer

National Board of Directors

Therese Llorente

National Board Chair

Elise Darwish

National Board Vice Chair

Shawn Bird, Ed.D

National Board Co-Vice Chair

Mary Beth O'Hagan, Ph.D

National Board Secretary

Rosemarie Loffredo

National Board Treasurer

Peter Falzon

Board Member

Alex Hill

Board Member

Dr. Kettisha M. Jones

Board Member

Dan Koken

Board Member

National Advisory Board

Dr. Karyn Allee

Dr. Donald Bear

Dr. Almitra Berry

Resha Conroy

Dr. Lakeisha Johnson

Dr. Kenneth Kunz

Dr. Katie Pace Miles

Dr. Tiffany Peltier

Dr. Antony Smith

Our Former Advisory Board Members

Nancy Akhavan
Kai-Leé Berke
Dr. Sonia Cabell
Dr. Julie Scullen
Dr. Cynthia Shanahan
Mannu Sikka
Dr. Sharon Vaughn