Read Alliance board member since July 2017
Managing Director, Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets
How did you first connect with Read Alliance?
Macquarie Group is affiliated with the organization BoardLead, which partners with firms to place executives on not-for-profit boards with missions they feel aligned with. I had experience in Australia and Asia with similar programs that focused on improving literacy in youth, particularly those from high risk environments or where their language at home is not English. I was drawn to Read Alliance’s focus on giving a hand up rather than a hand out, as well as empowering teens to be more community-minded and provide meaningful employment in community initiatives.
Macquarie Group places a strong emphasis on giving back to our communities across all levels of seniority, not just through monetary donations but also utilizing our skill-sets to support and help develop community organizations.
Did you have a particular connection to literacy?
Growing up there was a strong emphasis on education, and reading in particular, in my home. It's also something I consider to be a key prerequisite in people advancing their position in life – without empowering youths with strong literacy skills and tools their path to real improvement faces meaningful challenges.
What clinched your decision to serve on Read Alliance’s board?
Read Alliance’s mission was not only something I felt strongly aligned with, it also had an excellent track record of executing on it – driving meaningful improvement in communities through real action and groundbreaking initiatives.
What has most excited you since joining the board?
Being able to meet both the students that we’re targeting with improved literacy programs as well as the tutors. In many cases, the tutors are far more impressive than I certainly was at their age. Seeing the trajectory of both these students and tutors is really exciting.
What has been an especially memorable experience?
At the annual gala, when the senior teen leaders were working the room and discussing the program with people. I would have found that incredibly imposing at their age but they embraced conversing with those far more experienced then themselves with aplomb.
What is it like serving on the Read Alliance board?
The board’s diversity is very impressive and something that I find incredibly valuable. There are those with financial and corporate backgrounds coming together with those who have spent their long, distinguished careers in education in order to assist READ to effectively execute its mission.
How does Read Alliance leverage board members’ expertise?
As a recent example, we dedicated significant time in addressing the impact of COVID-19 and assessing how READ would be able to stay on mission. This required contributions across financial, technological, educational and organizational skill-sets in a coordinated way to ensure we can continue to drive meaningful community improvement in these uncertain times.
What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead?
I’m looking forward to us being able to get back to face-to-face learning and engagement. I think the virtual literacy program has been wonderful, though the in-person context is important not just for literacy but also social development.
What advice would you have for other professionals considering volunteer leadership?
The most important thing is to just do it. Actions speak louder than words. There are any number of initiatives people can get involved in and it’s important to do something that presents as something you are aligned with rather than wait for a “perfect” opportunity or moment to emerge, and thus lose time and momentum through which you could be making a real difference.