Read Ahead Names Zoe Henriquez as Executive Director
New York
March 5, 2025
Read Ahead, a New York City-based non-profit, today announced the appointment of Zoe Henriquez as Executive Director. Ms. Henriquez will lead Read Ahead as it continues its mission of reading-based mentoring for New York City public school students to develop the social-emotional skills essential for academic and life-long success.
“Zoe brings to Read Ahead a strong commitment to young people, an excellent fit for our mission and work in New York City public schools,” said Sean Fitzgerald, Chair of Read Ahead’s Board of Directors. “With her strong track record of fundraising and strategic mindset, I’m confident that Zoe will help lead this great organization through its next phase of growth for the students we serve.”
Ms. Henriquez joins Read Ahead after serving as Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances and Development at RISE, a national nonprofit focused on promoting racial equity and social justice, where she was responsible for fundraising and drove a significant increase in giving and partnerships. Prior to that, she held development roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of America and March of Dimes.
“I am honored and excited to be joining Read Ahead,” said Zoe Henriquez, “It’s clear this is a strong organization with an incredibly dedicated staff, engaged corporate partners and mentors, and a program that is flourishing in our NYC public school partners. The need for student support in public schools is greater than ever, and Read Ahead is leading the charge for the students that need it most. I look forward to working with the Read Ahead Board as we continue the organization’s important mission.”
About Read Ahead
Read Ahead’s reading-based mentoring develops in students the social-emotional skills essential for academic and life-long success. Since 1991, Read Ahead (formerly Everybody Wins! NY) has matched volunteer mentors from premier corporate and community partners with New York City students at nearby public elementary schools for one-on-one reading-based mentoring. Research shows that mentoring has a wealth of benefits to children—especially those from high-need backgrounds—but unfortunately those students who may benefit most are also least likely to have a mentor in their lives. Read Ahead’s unique model leverages corporate resources and talent, and capitalizes on the power of a shared reading experience between a child and a caring adult. Through the over 1,400 lunchtime sessions held annually, our students develop confidence in their abilities, motivation to learn, and the skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.
For more information, visit our website at readahead.org.
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