Worldreader Strengthens Female Leadership with Appointments in Kenya and Global Advancement
February 21, 2025 – Seattle
Worldreader, the Early Child Development tech nonprofit dedicated to getting families and children reading, is proud to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Wasunna as a Kenya Board Member and Mirtha Vaca-Wilkens as Director of Transformational Giving. These strategic additions reinforce Worldreader’s commitment to female leadership in advancing global literacy.
Kenya-based Elizabeth Wasunna, a seasoned banking executive and advocate for women in business, brings over 25 years of experience in strategic leadership, SME and commercial banking, and ecosystem partnerships in Africa. As the Business Banking Director at Absa Bank Kenya PLC, she plays a pivotal role in financial inclusion and economic empowerment. An avid reader passionate about literacy, she actively engages as a speaker, mentor, and certified coach.
Mirtha Vaca-Wilkens will lead Worldreader’s global advancement efforts from the US, overseeing fundraising, brand strategy, and messaging. A dedicated advocate for social impact, Mirtha has spent over a decade building partnerships that uplift vulnerable communities. Previous to Worldreader, she served as the Director of Institutional Giving at Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. With an Emmy-winning background in journalism and multimedia strategy, she brings expertise in storytelling, advocacy, and digital engagement.
“Worldreader is thrilled to welcome Elizabeth and Mirtha,” said Rebecca Chandler Leege, CEO of Worldreader. “Elizabeth’s expertise in economic empowerment and Mirtha’s ability to build mission-driven partnerships are uniquely positioned to advance our mission, cultivating a generation of readers in Kenya and unlocking the potential of families worldwide.”
Wasunna expressed her enthusiasm in supporting Worldreader, highlighting its reading app BookSmart: “One of the most inspiring aspects of BookSmart is that families, regardless of background, are embracing the joy of reading and inspiring others with their stories.”
Vaca-Wilkens shared the excitement in joining Worldreader, stating: “Books change lives. I am honored to help grow Worldreader’s mission and rally champions who believe in the power of literacy to create brighter futures for our youngest generations.”
As Worldreader continues its mission to end learning poverty for families and children worldwide, these appointments underscore the organization’s dedication to fostering a diverse, dynamic leadership team committed to making reading accessible for all.
About Worldreader
Worldreader gets children reading so they can reach their potential. For young dreamers with curious minds and their families, Worldreader is a gateway to a lifelong love of reading and learning. Through digital technology, Worldreader provides family reading experiences to all children aged 3-12 so they are inspired to explore a world of endless possibilities. Since 2010, Worldreader has supported over 22 million readers in more than 100 countries.
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Lynn Bröker
Associate Director, Marketing & Communications
Worldreader
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