Michelle Torgerson is dedicated to ensuring education equity for children and families, so that all children have access to the high-quality resources critical to their lifelong success and wellbeing. She has spent 20+ years leading organizations across the country and working alongside communities.

Her approach is equal parts creative, visionary social entrepreneur, and technical turn around executive. Michelle’s career has been focused on creating, growing, and sustaining award winning nonprofit organizations, ensuring measurable impact and long-term viability. She is seasoned in revenue generation including securing startup funding, building boards, creating long range philanthropy and sales engines.

Throughout her career, her focus on radical collaboration through conversations and movements that cross issue areas and sectors has been integral to her success.

Michelle is known for building strong teams with an emphasis on managing for measurable results, fostering team relationships, and creating a culture that develops hard skills and knowledge sharing.

Michelle joined Raising a Reader in June of 2018 as President and CEO and led the organization through one its largest shifts forward in the organization to date. Significantly, this included pivoting the organization’s approach to serving community amid the Covid-19 pandemic by launching two new program offerings which led to increasing the organization’s annual impact reach by nearly 50%. Michelle is proud to be a returning member to Raising a Reader, she previously served the organization, earlier in her career, as an outreach and development manager and was thrilled to come back to a mission that she loves.

Previously, Michelle was senior executive director of Reading Partners, a San Francisco-based literacy intervention organization. There she led the strategic regional growth in the Bay Area, St. Paul, MN and Tulsa, OK.

She also held executive positions at College Possible, a St. Paul based, national nonprofit that makes college admission and success possible for low-income students. She led the organization’s strategic replication, fundraising, and growth into new sites including Portland, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Omaha.

As a management consultant to nonprofits and foundations in Los Angeles, Michelle served as the Vice President at Draper Consulting Group. She worked with over 40 clients in her five-year tenure during the 2008 recession covering a broad range of important issues areas including education, the arts, social services, and health care.

Michelle’s dedication to equity is in part informed by her experience as a National Urban Fellow where she currently serves as founding co-chair of the Alumni Advisory Board. She also serves on the San Francisco Bay Area Advisory Boards of Reach Out and Read, and Parent Child +.

Michelle graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science and received her Master of Public Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College as a National Urban Fellow.

Michelle is honored to have been recognized for her contributions, as the recipient of the State Farm and Golden State Warriors 2017 Community Achievement Award for her service in the San Francisco Bay Area and Emerging Philanthropy Leader of the Year awarded by EPIP for her service in Los Angeles in 2012.

A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Michelle now lives in Marin County, just beyond the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, with her partner, Kabra and incredible stepdaughter, Lily. Together, they love to travel the world with friends and family, devour books and delicious food, and sing every lyric of Lin-Manuel Miranda musicals.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
My Friends by Taro Gomi

Jennifer leads the financial and operational functions of Raising a Reader and works closely with her incredible teammates on the key business aspects of the organization. She was born and raised in and around the city of Detroit, Michigan. Jennifer earned her Bachelors degree in Sociology and Statistics from the University of Michigan and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Santa Clara University. Outside of work, she enjoys live music and is a reader and listener of books and podcasts. Jennifer currently lives in San Jose, California with her husband, Fred, and two school-age sons, Isaiah and Abraham.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed

Jonathan Thornton, born into a family of educators, was raised in an environment rich with books and a profound belief in the transformative power of education. At Raising a Reader, Jon focuses his efforts on developing and executing strategies that amplify the organization’s impact while ensuring it possesses the financial resources to realize its aspirations. Leveraging his background in organizations focused on public education policy, college completion, juvenile justice reform, and children’s healthcare, Jon is passionate about harnessing the potential of exceptional teams driven by ambitious vision. 

Jon obtained his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Union College in religion and a master’s degree from Andrews University in theology. 

Jon lives in Sacramento, where he shares his life with his wife, Deborah, their two daughters, Eleanor and Emerson, and his dog, Brutus.  

As Senior Vice President of Program and Partnerships, Michelle is responsible for overseeing program development, growth and impact. Michelle has had a long-standing commitment to child development, both professionally and personally. She has worked within the philanthropic sector and across the public systems that are in place to support the education, health and well-being of young children as Deputy Director, Center for Early Learning at Silicon Valley Community Foundation and program officer for First 5 San Mateo and First 5 Santa Cruz Counties. Michelle has also worked directly alongside children and families a GirlVentures mentor, birth support doula and yoga teacher which has fueled her passion to ensure that family is at the center of both program and public policy decisions.

Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and anthropology from Case Western Reserve University and her Master’s in Public Health from Yale University. She loves to be outdoors and always looks for the best bakery when she travels. Michelle currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband and two children.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
This is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe

Shelece joined Raising a Reader in July 2023 as the Director of Business Operations. She comes to the team with extensive experience in operational and administrative leadership having worked for a variety of large and small organizations over the course of her professional journey. Raised in Southern California, Shelece holds a BA in Economics/International Studies from UCLA and an MBA from USC.

Shelece has one adult daughter and loves spending time with family, traveling and taking food tours to immerse herself in the local culture of her destination. Shelece currently resides in Pleasanton, CA.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Sierra Hersek is a nonprofit leader with over 15 years of professional experience. As Executive Director of the Natomas Arts and Education Foundation, she oversaw all aspects of the program design, strategic planning, development, branding and marketing. She honed her skills and passion for fundraising as the Managing Director of Development for City Year Sacramento and, most recently, at Instruction Partners. Sierra is passionate about education equity and is proud to support the work of Raising a Reader. On her off time, you might see Sierra performing on stage or watching her daughters perform, as theatre is a passion her whole family enjoys.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
Estaban De luna, Baby Rescuer

Ashley Renick joined Raising a Reader in January 2023 as the Senior Program and Partnerships Manager, overseeing RAR’s grant-funded programs. With a foundation in social work and over a decade of experience in education, social service and government sectors, Ashley is committed to initiatives which aim to dismantle barriers to equity and effectively improve outcomes for children and their families.

Ashley began her career as an early childhood educator with Head Start, where she and her colleagues utilized Raising a Reader to partner with families to build at-home literacy routines. Most recently, Ashley was on the Strategic Partnerships & Policy team at Safe & Sound, a child advocacy organization based in San Francisco, where she collaborated with community and government partners to improve systems of care for all families and supported the SF Family Resource Centers Alliance’s collective action efforts to better meet the needs of families and their children.

Ashley has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Anthropology from Bucknell University, and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. Ashley is from Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!) and currently lives in Oakland, CA where she enjoys outdoor adventures with her partner and dog.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

As part of the Raising a Reader Operations Team, Marie manages the procurement and production of all book and non-book inventory. Marie helps ensure our partners have a seamless experience throughout the ordering process. She also manages some behind the scenes needs to keep the organization most efficient. Marie graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a dual Major in Business and Communication. Marie spent years in the for-profit industry in the Finance and Inventory Management sectors before finding the true passion of the non-profit world when living in the CA Bay Area and joining Raising a Reader in 2007.

Marie is originally from Bethlehem, PA and now calls Fort Myers, Florida home. When not busy looking out for Raising a Reader’s needs, Marie can be found enjoying time with animals, friends, family, nature or learning something new.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
The Cow That Went Oink by Bernard Most and Call Me Tree/Llamame Arbol Maya Christina Gonzalez

As the Development and Communications Operations Associate Nikia supports Raising a Reader’s national fundraising and communications efforts. She has over five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with expertise in database management and donor communications. Nikia holds a BA in Sociology and Psychology from the University at Albany, SUNY and received a Master of Public Administration from Buffalo State College, SUNY.

Prior to accepting her position with Raising a Reader, she worked for Teach for America Buffalo, YWCA of NYC, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and she also assisted the Scheduling and Advance Team of First Lady Michelle Obama. Throughout her career Nikia has been an integral part of teams that have raised millions of dollars to support various causes such as Educational Equity, Reproductive Health, and providing under resourced families with access to quality early childcare.

Nikia is dedicated to empowering under-served communities and has a passion for combating educational inequality, human trafficking, and mass incarceration. She enjoys traveling, DIY projects, and spending quality time with family and friends. Nikia is a native of Brooklyn, NY and she currently resides in Buffalo, NY.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
Meet Danitra Brown by Nikki Grimes and I Love My Hair! By Natasha Anastasia Tarpley

Patricia comes to Raising a Reader with over 20 years of experience developing and scaling award-winning social impact programs for corporations and large non-profits. She led Adobe’s flagship philanthropy program for nine years and designed and directed a unique global digital arts initiative for adolescent girls. She loves designing hybrid digital learning experiences that increase engagement, connection, and equity. She holds a Master’s in International Education from University of San Francisco, and a BA from Wesleyan University. She enjoys nature exploration with her dog, family, and friends.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams

As the Raising a Reader Operations Manager, Phil has the privilege of taking care of the incredible books in the RAR warehouse. Phil brings over 15 years of experience to the RAR team and he goes above and beyond to ensure that Raising a Reader families receive their RAR materials in a timely and accurate manner. Phil is a proud father of three and was born and raised in the Bay Area. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing videogames, and collecting sneakers.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
My Kicks: A Sneaker Story! by Susan Verde

Rebecca joined Raising a Reader in 2010 and has been part of the RAR family for over 12 years. She is the Managing Director of Programs and is responsible for overseeing RAR’s Community of Practice, Curriculum Development, Book Collection Curation, Publisher Relationships, and Partnerships. Rebecca received her Bachelor’s in Education from Towson University and her Master’s of Science in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. Rebecca is from Pasadena, Maryland and her hobbies include Reading, Travel, Kayaking, and exploring new places. She currently resides in Chestnut Hill Cove, Maryland with her two children and puppy Kalani. In her spare time, Rebecca is coaching a girls soccer team, carting kids to youth sports, having fun at family outings, and DIYing.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o and The Three Little Javelinas by Susan Lowell

Mirna Mejia is currently Manager of Programs and Partnerships at Raising A Reader and has worked in various roles advocating for communities and families through promoting education, family engagement, and quality childcare for over twenty years. A major focus of her work is on equity and social justice. She has taught at the college level, coached, and provided trainings on cultural competence and understanding to help combat bias and equip educators to create equitable and inclusive learning environments for all children and families. Mirna’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from UCLA and a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Multicultural Counseling from San Diego State University. Born in El Salvador, she grew up in California amongst her traditional Central American heritage and the western culture. She is the proud mama of two daughters and enjoys reading, spending time with family, and learning about others. One of her most valued beliefs is that we are all more alike than we are different.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
"I Like Myself" by Karen Beaumont

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

As part of the Raising a Reader warehouse team, Alan assists in maintaining the warehouse, shipping out orders and receiving books. He graduated from Cal State East Bay (formerly known as Cal State Hayward). Alan is from Union City, CA right in between Hayward and Fremont. His main hobbies are eating delicious foods, playing video games, staying active, listening to all types of music, watching movies and sometimes going on a random adventure. In his free time, he loves spending time with his family and friends, and traveling to places to experience new food and cultures.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
The Ugly Dumpling by Stephanie Campisi

As part of the Raising a Reader warehouse team, Phalla spends a lot of time ensuring our Super Summer Learning Adventures Program materials get where they need to go. He has many years of experience working in warehouse settings from Azazie and BrandVia. Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Phalla enjoys listening to music hiking and watching his favorite shows. One of his favorite hiking spot in the Bay Area is Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz. Family is extremely important to Phalla.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
My Friends by Taro Gomi

Kristine is charged with keeping the Programs & Partnerships team running. She was born and raised in San Jose California and graduated from San Jose State University with a Psychology degree. Her previous work experience includes working as a behavioral therapist with children and families. During her free time she enjoys investing in her well being by going to the gym or meditating. She is the youngest in her family of 4.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
I Love You All Ways by Marianne Richmond

Rosangela helps foster and maintain relationships with affiliates. She is the main point of contact for many organizations across the country that participate in RAR programs. She has also helped with the transition and development of the kidappolis app. Apart from working with various non-profit organizations, she also has experience working in adult education, the public school system, and with small businesses. Rosangela graduated in 2018 from Southern Methodist University with a Masters’ in Liberal Studies and Humanities. She also attended the University of Texas at Austin for her Bachelor of Arts in Government, English, and History. In her spare time, Rosangela enjoys traveling and crafts. She currently lives in Dallas, TX.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
Curious George at the Baseball Game by H. A. Rey

As the Senior Accountant, Shelly assists the finance team in all areas of need. Her daily responsibilities include maintaining Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payables, invoicing, account reconciliations, and order support.

Prior to joining the Raising a Reader team, Shelly spent the majority of her career in finance and accounting. She received her Bachelors of Science degree at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a major in journalism but her affinity for numbers, and love for technology, led her home to the Bay Area and into the world of accounting. Before RAR, Shelly spent several years as an accountant in the private aviation sector, and has extensive years of experience with VARs and manufacturing companies.

Outside of work, Shelly enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and spending weekends out in the sunshine hiking or boating.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Suzanne oversees the development and implementation of RAR’s strategic marketing and communications plan, and elevating RAR’s brand for greater reach and scale. She lives in Tryon, NC and is a graduate of Northern Arizona University. Suzanne loves to be outside in the sun and spending time with her family.

Favorite Book from the RAR Collection:
Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard