Meet the Staff
Meet Our Program Team
September marks the beginning of the school year for many families with children, and it’s also a wonderful time for families with young children enrolled in our program. Why? Because this is when our partners across Massachusetts begin to hold workshops for families and implement our signature Red Book Bag Rotation program – the core…
Read MoreMeet the Staff: Guadalupe Panameño
Searching for community led Guadalupe Panameño to books and Raising A Reader MA in 2007, and nearly 15 years later, the Greater Boston Program Manager remains tied to RAR-MA and its mission. “It was so important to encourage and teach my children the love of reading to change their future. I feel like being involved…
Read MoreMeet Our New Director of Programs
KATEE DUFFY, NCC joined the Raising A Reader MA team in February 2020. She has enjoyed her entire career learning from children and families and supporting them in a variety of pediatric settings including childcare, home visiting, and child welfare. Katee is also a National Certified Counselor. Katee was drawn to RAR-MA because it presented…
Read MoreRAR-MA Welcomes Two New Program Coordinators
Meilin Chong and Isaí Jiminez join the Raising A Reader MA excited to help parents and caregivers create daily home reading routines with their young children. Meilin joined the Raising A Reader MA team in December 2019 as a Program Coordinator supporting the Merrimack Valley program, eager to collaborate with families in promoting an active reading…
Read MoreProgram Manager Francia Wisnewski Receives Latinx Excellence on the Hill Award
On Thursday, October 3rd, 2019 Raising A Reader MA’s Senior Program Manager Francia Wisnewski was honored at the Latinx Excellence on the Hill ceremony. The second annual award presentation was established by The Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus as a celebration of Latinx culture, excellence and achievement in the Commonwealth. The energy, support and…
Read MoreRAR-MA Announces New Director of Development
Raising A Reader MA is thrilled to announce Mary Ann F. Lerner as its new Director of Development. Mary Ann has had a nearly 20-year career as a Vice President in retail and commercial banking at several top 10 U.S. banks.
Read MoreMeet Our New Director of Development
Raising A Reader MA is pleased to introduce Angela Han, who is taking on the role of Director of Development. With the addition of Angela to the previously one-person development team, RAR-MA is in a strong position to strategically build out and diversify its funding strategy. Angela has an extensive extensive background in the nonprofit…
Read MoreMeet Tasha Espendez
From Tasha Espendez’s early years to adulthood, reading is the focal point in the page-turning journey that would lead her to land a staff role for Raising A Reader MA. Tasha’s first vivid memory was in bed reading with her mother. They would pick a page every night from a children’s illustrated bible and discuss the stories…
Read MoreMeet the Staff: Tara Ruby
A love of reading is a prerequisite for working at Raising A Reader MA. Tara Ruby wakes up everyday with a goal of sharing this love of literacy with families throughout Boston. Tara Ruby is a literacy lover who saw her role at Raising A Reader MA as the perfect opportunity to interact with and…
Read MoreMeet the Staff: Summer 2018 Interns
For the third summer in a row, Raising A Reader MA has benefitted from the support of the DukeEngage program. Funded by Bill and Melinda Gates, DukeEngage allows Duke University students to travel around the world and immerse themselves for an extended time in various communities, working with nonprofits and organizations. Our interns’ program is focused on…
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