About Us

Raising a Reader supports families to build, practice and grow reading routines at home

Family engagement is at the core of what we do.

Our award-winning, evidence-based programs help caring adults set their children up for success by creating shared reading routines, fostering social emotional learning, healthy family relationships and learning skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.

OUR APPROACH

Strong, engaged families make a major difference to childrens’ educational and life outcomes.

We work through local agencies to provide family engagement and early literacy programming directly to families.

  • Step 1

    Build

    Raising a Reader builds equity-focused shared reading programs and curated book collections that are customizable based on local need.

  • Step 2

    Practice

    Local community partners utilize Raising a Reader to support a child’s social emotional learning through promoting healthy relationships and learning in the home with a caring adult.

  • Step 3

    Grow

    Caring adults develop a shared reading and learning routine in the home that foster a child’s love of reading.

OUR IMPACT

150,000 children and families in 34 states every year

Through our network of almost 300 Affiliate organizations, we serve nearly 200,000 children and families in 34 states every year.

2023 Impact Report

39

INDEPENDENT EVALUATIONS PROVE LITERACY GAINS

4.5/5

AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION SATISFACTION RATE

96%

AFFILIATE ORGANIZATION RETENTION RATE

WHO WE ARE

Passionate about ensuring every child has the family support and reading skills they need to thrive.

Our dedicated Raising a Reader team is spread out across the US. We are here to support you in starting and growing your Raising a Reader program while providing technical assistance and ongoing support to our national network of partners.

Our Board
Carol Emig

Chair

Sterling Speirn

Secretary

Erica K. Wood

Treasurer

Michelle Torgerson

President and CEO

Jennifer Blatz

Member

Kirk Law

Member

Kris Perry

Member

Meredith Crooks

Member

Karen Calloo

Member

Portia Kennel

Member

Gihani Fernando

Member

Our Team
Michelle Torgerson

President and CEO

Jennifer Ford

Vice President, Finance and Operations

Jonathan Thornton

Vice President, Strategic Growth and Revenue

Michelle Sioson Hyman

Senior Vice President, Program and Partnerships

Shelece Draper

Director, Business Operations

Sierra Hersek

Director of Development

Ashley Renick

Senior Manager, Program and Partnerships

Marie Waldron

Data Systems Administrator

Nikia Brown

Development and Communications Operations Associate

Patricia Cogley

Deputy Director, Strategic Innovation and Impact

Phil Chavez

Manager, Warehouse and Operations

Rebecca Chrystal

Managing Director, Program and Partnerships

Mirna Mejia

Manager, Programs and Partnerships

Haley Minchew

Executive Assistant to the President and CEO

Alan Jay Rodrigo

Warehouse Associate

Phalla Chea

Warehouse Associate

Kristine Nguyen

Program Operations Associate

Rosangela R. Marquez

Manager, Program and Partnerships

Shelly Coulter

Senior Accountant

Suzanne Metcalf

Director, Marketing and Communications

OUR SUPPORTERS

Thanks to our dedicated and generous supporters, our reach is growing across 34 states.

With greater investment we will reach our goal of serving 200,000 children and their families each year by 2025.

Together we are growing our reach and increasing the number of children who build, practice and grow book sharing habits. Our programs are evidence-based, easy to implement, and affordable. They provide children with the skills they need to begin school ready to succeed in school and beyond.

Support our efforts