Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, BofA Securities, Inc.
Read Alliance board member since 2008
“I wanted [to become involved with] something that was low-frills and high-impact as it relates to the organization. That describes READ perfectly, both where it was all of those years ago and where it is today. That’s the focus and that’s the focus by design.”
1) How did you learn about Read Alliance? And what was your first meaningful interaction with the organization?
I first learned about READ through Alain [Lebec, Read Alliance Co-Founder]. Alain was a longtime colleague of mine and continues to be a mentor and close friend. We had lunch and he told me a bit about the organization and asked me to get closer to it.
I headed up to the Bronx to see the tutoring in action and that first site visit really made an impact on me. There’s only so much you can learn from hearing about it - but to see the students and teen leaders in action, the engagement of the kids and the bond developing...there’s nothing like it.
2) What was important to you in joining a non-profit board? What attracted you to this leadership role?
I wanted something that was low-frills and high-impact as it relates to the organization. That describes READ perfectly, both where it was all of those years ago and where it is today. That’s the focus and that’s the focus by design.
I also wanted something focused locally in the five boroughs, where I lived for a long time and where I have spent my entire career, and focused on helping kids in need. In addition, my wife and I have always been big believers in education as the ultimate equalizer, and the ability to bring kids up to grade level in reading very early in their educational journey, before they fall behind in everything, really resonated with me.
3) Can you describe one or two most rewarding moments for you since joining the board?
There have been many over the years but I would say one of the most rewarding moments was the first time I heard a school principal talk about the impact of the program and the passion that she had for READ and the impact it had on kids in that school. School budgets are very tight and there’s never enough money to go around. The fact that schools find the money to help bring READ to their kids speaks volumes about their belief in the program’s impact.
4) How has the organization changed during your tenure? In what key ways has it remained the same?
READ has evolved with the environment as [state and federal funding for schools] has changed dramatically. With Kelley and now Danielle, we’ve had two fantastic leaders and, together with a terrific and well-qualified board, they have helped the organization adjust to the times. Kelley [Perkins, who worked at READ for 14 years, six as executive director] took over at a difficult time as the funding backdrop was changing for the worse and made all the difference. Danielle [Guindo, current executive director] had big shoes to fill and has done a terrific job in leading the organization and keeping it on the right path.
READ also remains the same, scrappy organization singularly focused on its mission to serve the tutors and the students. This scrappiness and singular focus have not changed and are admirable. This speaks to the people in the organization, its culture and its priorities.
5) What aspect of the 20th anniversary gala on November 2nd are you most looking forward to? What should potential supporters know about the occasion?
This will be an especially interesting event because it’s our first-ever virtual one. I’m excited about that in the sense that hosting the event virtually broadens the opportunity for people to learn about and engage with READ and with the people impacted by READ. We’ve had terrific galas in the past with a packed room, and this is an opportunity for a broader set of people to better understand READ. One of the things that I always look forward to is hearing from the principals and hearing from the students who are intermingling. Looking forward to that aspect as well.
6) As you think about Read Alliance's future, what are you most looking forward to? What are your hopes for its 40th anniversary?
I’m most looking forward to READ’s ability to continue to grow and impact more and more teens and students and I have no doubt that it will, given the singular focus on the mission and the organization’s resourcefulness through many different environments to deliver on that mission.
On the 40th anniversary, I look forward to having former students of the program serving on the board, continuing to be a part of the organization and giving back. I look forward to a time when we will be serving 10,000 students and 10,000 teen leaders per year [approximately 10x where we are today].
7) What advice would you have for someone considering a volunteer leadership role with a non-profit organization?
I would put a priority on local impact and on passion for the mission. You want to feel that passion yourself, and you want to see that passion within the organization and its people.