The Read Ahead Junior Board

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A dynamic group of young professionals united by the belief that reading and mentoring can have a meaningful and lasting impact on New York City youth.

Fundraising

The Junior Board plays an essential role in Read Ahead’s sustainability by leading two fundraisers each year: #GivingTuesday and a signature event in the spring. By reaching out to their personal networks, and leveraging corporate matching donations, the Junior Board makes it possible for hundreds of children to participate in Read Ahead each year.

Community Building

Junior Board members are a part of Read Ahead’s growing community of civic-minded professionals in NYC. Through professional development nights, social events, and other networking and leadership opportunities, Junior Board members have the opportunity to enhance their personal and professional networks.

Mission Focused

Each year, more than 60% of our Junior Board members also volunteer as mentors in Read Ahead’s weekly program. Through advocacy, volunteerism, and fundraising, every Junior Board member contributes to Read Ahead’s success.

Junior Board Membership

We look for enthusiastic young professionals and emerging leaders who can commit to a full year of championing Read Ahead's mission-driven work, and seek to build a diverse Junior Board representative of the communities we serve. The Read Ahead Junior Board is NYC-based and planning to be largely in person for the upcoming year (any in-person events will likely take place in Midtown Manhattan).

Junior Board members commit to a year of service (though many continue for multiple years!) which includes 3-4 meetings, an annual fall retreat, and participation in two Junior Board-led fundraisers. Additional opportunities include social, networking, and special events with fellow Junior Board members, Read Ahead’s Board of Directors, and the broader Read Ahead community.

Our 2026-27 applications are now closed.

Join the Read Ahead Junior Board

Current Membership

Mimi Asom, Skadden

Eliya Bernstein, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)

Cassandra Biehl, Raymond James

Andrew Brimmer, Independent (Co-Chair)

Dan Buehler, Apollo Global Management

Allison Broeils, Hachette Book Group

Elizabeth Casserino, Bloomberg LP

Tatiana Chin, Goldman Sachs (Co-chair)

Beth Codey, Penguin Random House (Co-chair)

Brandeis Crookendale, New York City Public Schools

Charlotte Davidson, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Josie DeBellis, FIGS

Sabrina Elliot, Skadden

Chi-Emeka Egwuagu, DLA Piper LLP

Clara Enders, Morgan Stanley

Ryan Eng, Barclays

Alexander Fitzgerald, Palantir


Michael Hoang, Google

Natalie Iannone, Highbridge Capital Management

Osaso Ighodaro, AEA Investors

Sam Keehn, Morgan Stanley

Yasmene Kimble, Stony Brook University

Brian Klapow, LSV Advisors, LLC

Emma Landis, L’Oreal

Teresa Lee, Schroders

Andrew Muscarella, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Tai Opabunmi, J.P. Morgan

Sita Patel Edwards, Latham and Watkins LLP

Sanjana Rao, Latham & Watkins, NYC

Dasha Robinson, Morgan Stanley

Kate Roush, JLL

Jillian Ruben, Deloitte

Annette Rubin, Blackstone

Meredith Ruskin, Anheuser-Busch

Margo Smith, Morgan Stanley

Lauren Kayleigh Turton, Latham & Watkins

Will Waller, Teneo

Ashley Wong,  Amazon

Jennifer Wu, The New York Botanical Garden

Christina Xue, Warburg Pincus

Kunchok Yaklha, Sidley Austin

Get Involved

Join our Mailing List

Become a part of our extended community by signing up for updates about Read Ahead’s mission, Junior Board events, and upcoming opportunities to get involved. Receive exclusive invites to Junior Board events and participate as much as your schedule allows.
Contact Us

Sponsor an event

Read Ahead’s community includes hundreds of young professionals from Fortune 500 companies and top NYC firms, many of whom participate in our events each year. This is a great opportunity to gain visibility and brand awareness in support of a worthy cause. Connect with us to learn more about supporting an event via financial contribution, in-kind donations, or event space.
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CONNECT WITH OUR TEAM

If you have additional questions about Read Ahead, the Junior Board, or other ways to get involved, please contact us - we’d love to hear from you!
Get in Touch

Get Involved

Learn More

If you have additional questions about Read Ahead, the Junior Board, or other ways to get involved, please email us. We’d love to hear from you!