Worldreader Congratulates Andy Jassy on His Promotion to CEO of Amazon

3 February 2021 – San Francisco, California.  San Francisco-based educational nonprofit, Worldreader, is thrilled to congratulate Andy Jassy on his promotion to chief executive officer of Amazon. Mr. Jassy is a former colleague of David Risher, CEO of Worldreader, and a founding member of the Keep Children Reading Advisory Council, formed to provide strategic support for Worldreader’s launch in the United States in November 2020. 

“Andy is one of the highest-integrity leaders I’ve ever known. And his empathy is unmatched: It was his voice that inspired us to bring our reading program to the United States to help underserved communities,” said David Risher.

According to the New York Times, Mr. Jassy will take the reins from Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder and current CEO, in the third quarter of this year. 

As a member of Worldreader’s Keep Children Reading Advisory Council, Mr. Jassy works with a preeminent group of professionals to provide ongoing advice and support to Worldreader on partnership engagement, and  programmatic and strategic issues around the use of technology to help low-income children read and thrive.

Launched in response to COVID-19 school disruptions, Keep Children Reading brings a 40-week digital reading program to underserved communities across the US.  The program helps 3–12 year-olds build their reading skills, learn about other cultures, and develop emotionally during the pandemic and beyond – setting them up for success in school and life.  

“Andy is the rare leader that leads from the heart as well as the head,” continued David.  “I can’t wait to see where his leadership takes Amazon.”

To support Worldreader’s efforts to improve more children’s lives, contact development@worldreader.org or visit https://www.worldreader.org/donate/. 

Keep Children Reading Program Details:

• A 40-week academic-year reading program for children in grades PreK–5th, delivered by community-based organizations
• The program features a weekly book plus three 10-minute learning activities that parents and children can complete together
• The high-quality children’s library features books in English and Spanish from around the world, including books that support social-emotional learning, address race and inclusivity, educate on health and wellness (including coronavirus), and support literacy and numeracy skills
• Available through BookSmart, a purpose-built app, that’s simple, fast, and works on any mobile phone, addressing the digital divide

About Worldreader

Worldreader believes that readers build a better world. A nonprofit with a low-cost, high-tech approach, Worldreader combines 21st-century technology, culturally relevant digital books, and supportive programming to improve learning outcomes, workforce readiness, and gender equity in vulnerable communities around the world. Since 2010, Worldreader and its partners have distributed over 58 million digital books to more than 17 million children and young adults. Worldreader is always looking for partners to reach millions more. 

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Melanie Wise
Sr. Director, Global Marketing & Communications
Worldreader
comms@worldreader.org