Age: 23
Borough: Manhattan
Favorite Book: Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird or J.K. Rowling’s the Harry Potter series
Favorite TV Show: The 100
Place I Most Want to Visit: Spain (trip canceled owing to the pandemic)
Favorite NYC Restaurant: Ravagh
Favorite Sports Team: Baltimore Ravens
“I think it’s amazing for the teens to understand that literacy is power and by teaching elementary students to read, they’re not only supporting their ability to thrive in, say, second grade, but they’re supporting their entire future.”
How did you learn about read alliance?
My roommate [Read Alliance Associate Board Member Taara Advani] works with [Associate Board Chair] Bill Chism. Bill introduced Taara to the work of Read Alliance and to its Associate Board at a time when she and I had been talking about finding ways to participate in our community.
What drew you into the organization?
I have always wanted to help students achieve what they’re capable of regardless of what hand they’ve been dealt in life. Everyone should have the same access to resources, and shouldn’t feel they can’t pursue their goals. I found Read Alliance’s school impact model so impressive, how teen leaders may be developing the skills to propel themselves forward in society even as they help propel others forward in society.
If I wasn’t working as a consultant [at PwC], I would be doing something related to education. Access to education has always been the topic I’m most passionate about.
What is the significance of read alliance’s providing teenagers with their first jobs?
I don’t always think high schoolers are given opportunities to prove themselves at such a young age as they are in Read Alliance. We think of young people as making the coffee. All jobs provide value to society but in the job of Teen Leader, they are able to see the difference they’re making. I think it’s amazing for the teens to understand that literacy is power and by teaching elementary students to read, they’re not only supporting their ability to thrive in, say, second grade, but they’re supporting their entire future.
What has been your favorite associate board experience so far?
I joined the Associate Board just this past February and was able to put together a virtual volunteer event for teen leaders during which I and my colleagues at PwC talked about college choices and how those choices can set you up for success. We encouraged the teens to think about their future as a toolkit and as something to be excited about. We helped students use a PwC tool we created called CollegeVal to analyze the cost of college.
We were excited to connect with the teen leaders to express our gratitude to them for continuing to work with the students during the pandemic but we were initially worried we would come into a Zoom room where no one would talk to us. But the teen leaders were so happy to hear from us and answered our questions so insightfully, with such maturity. They made us so happy to be there. Technically we were doing something for them but they were also doing something for us.
What most excites you about the 20th anniversary gala on november 2nd?
The energy that is still behind the event despite all of the challenges of the past year. This indicates to me the fortitude of the volunteers of the organization, its leaders, everyone involved. Read Alliance’s “The show must go on” mentality makes me so proud to be a part of the organization.
What advice would you give to others considering volunteer leadership?
There are so many good organizations and causes out there but find the one that speaks most closely to your values, your heart. And don’t underestimate the value that even a little of your time can create. Also, I think sometimes people shy away from getting involved in things because they feel they should be the person in charge but leaders need followers and leaders need supporters.