Room to Read CEO and leadership

Dr. Geetha Murali is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Room to Read, a leading international education organization that believes World Change Starts with Educated Children.� Room to Read transforms the lives of millions of children through education, creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. As CEO, Geetha has been a driving force behind the exponential scale of Room to Read’s quality programs - achieving presence in 20 countries and benefiting more than 23 million children to date.

Geetha joined Room to Read in 2009 and has more than 20 years of diverse experience across the corporate and non-profit sectors. She has worked with large pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Chiron as well as on an array of educational technology programs like the Digital Equalizer Program (American India Foundation) and Adobe Youth Voices (Adobe Systems Incorporated). Geetha’s compelling personal history, corporate experience, academic background in the quantitative and social sciences, and extensive program work with communities around the world give her a unique perspective on the socio-economic landscapes in which Room to Read operates, as well as the quantitative rigor and business acumen needed to lead this transformative movement of systemic change across the globe.

Progressive professional experience in international non governmental organization, not-for-profit, the United States government, and private consulting sector

o Chief Program Officer

o Former Senior Director of international program education and child protection team

o Former director of new business development

o Former manager of large and medium-scale educational projects in Latin America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, and the United States

o Technical advisor for a range of social development interventions in education, including teacher professional development, youth empowerment, distance learning, agricultural extension, program evaluation, and applied research

o Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and coordinator in agricultural extension, Honduras (three years)

In-country work experience in Bolivia, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and the United States

She/her/hers

Laurie McMahon is a Chief Development & Communications Officer at Room to Read.

Shari has over 25 years of international financial, non-profit and administrative management experience with companies ranging in size from $35MM - $150B. Prior to joining Room to Read, she served as CFO at Niman Ranch, Wordwise, Inc. and most recently with One Medical Group – all for-profit companies but with important social missions as well. Prior to that, she provided international financial and administrative management to best in class global branded companies, including Gap, PepsiCo and GM. She was one of the San Francisco Business Times’ Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business in 2012. Shari’s non-profit experience includes chairing the boards of both JVS (Jewish Vocational Service) and the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, and actively supporting startups with a focus on increasing capital for women entrepreneurs. Her academic pedigree includes courses at Harvard, an MBA from Georgetown and a BA from American University.

Dr. Geetha Murali is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Room to Read, a leading international education organization that believes World Change Starts with Educated Children.� Room to Read transforms the lives of millions of children through education, creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. As CEO, Geetha has been a driving force behind the exponential scale of Room to Read’s quality programs - achieving presence in 20 countries and benefiting more than 23 million children to date.

Geetha joined Room to Read in 2009 and has more than 20 years of diverse experience across the corporate and non-profit sectors. She has worked with large pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Chiron as well as on an array of educational technology programs like the Digital Equalizer Program (American India Foundation) and Adobe Youth Voices (Adobe Systems Incorporated). Geetha’s compelling personal history, corporate experience, academic background in the quantitative and social sciences, and extensive program work with communities around the world give her a unique perspective on the socio-economic landscapes in which Room to Read operates, as well as the quantitative rigor and business acumen needed to lead this transformative movement of systemic change across the globe.

Laurie McMahon is a Chief Development & Communications Officer at Room to Read.