Indy Reads Appoints New Board Members; Positions Itself for Growth

Indianapolis, IN —(September 15, 2022) Indy Reads today announced that its board of directors has approved five new members. After a robust and inclusive search and selection process, Indy Reads’ leadership team and board of directors are confident that Dr. Sara Bangert, Marisol Gouveia, Lindsay Gramlich, Kenneth Magezi, and Mariann McGee Bernlohr align with the organization’s vision of 100% literacy for all and bring necessary expertise, commitment, and enthusiasm to help lead Indy Reads into the next phase of growth.

“All five of these board members bring something essential to Indy Reads’ board,” said Ruba Marshood, Indy Reads’ chief executive officer. “Their unique track records of professional excellence and commitment to community-building is certain to springboard Indy Reads during this season of growth and for years to come.”

Dr. Sara Bangert, visiting clinical faculty/program coordinator –Early Childhood Education at the Indiana University –Indianapolis School of Education, joins Indy Reads’ board with a scholarship and pedagogy focused on socially just and culturally responsive literacy and language development in young children. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Elementary Education and a doctorate in Urban Education Studies from Indiana University. Having taught for more than a decade in urban communities in Arizona, Kentucky, and Indiana, Dr. Bangert is excited to use her expertise and experience as a board member with Indy Reads.

Marisol Gouveia, the director of engagement with Indiana Humanities, joins Indy Reads’ board with experience in nonprofit communications, fundraising, and community engagement A native of Trinidad and Tobago, former copy editor at The Indianapolis Star, and a Howard University alum, Gouveia brings a commitment to serving the city and state that has become her home.

Lindsay Gramlich joins Indy Reads’ board with 12 years of experience at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in various fundraising roles, culminating in her current position as the Associate Vice President of Development. She received her undergraduate degree from DePauw University and a master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University. A mom of three children and frequent volunteer throughoutIndianapolis, Gramlich is excited to join the Indy Reads’ board of directors.

Kenneth Magezi, a vice president, Credit Risk at JP Morgan Chase, joins Indy Reads’ board of directors with a decade of experience in finance. He received both a Bachelor ofScience in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. A native of Kampala, Uganda in East Africa, Magezi is honored to serve on the Indy Reads Board of Directors to support the Indianapolis area he has called home since 2006.

Mariann McGee Bernlohr, the senior director of affiliate capacity building for Horizons National, joins Indy Reads’ board of directors with more than 10years of experience developing and managing educational and community programming with AmeriCorps, YMCAs, and the Indiana Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University and a Master of Science in Teaching from Hamline University. McGee Bernlohr is grateful to be able to serve Indianapolis by becoming an Indy Reads board member.

Indy Reads builds literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential. For over 30 years, the nonprofit organization hasw orked toward a vision of 100% literacy for all. High literacy levels give access to greater developmental, educational, and career opportunities. Current statistics show that 1 in 6 adults in Indiana read at or below a fifth-grade level. Through its Community Classrooms, Indy Reads helps adult learners increase their literacy and English language proficiency, prepare for their High School Equivalency (HSE) diploma, and build the workforce skills to improve their employability and advancement potential. Indy Reads proudly serves adults of all literacy skills levels, including the most beginning-level, in compliance with Federal education and workforce training standards.