Board of Directors
Judy Newman
Judy Newman is a lifelong literacy advocate and Chief Impact Officer at Scholastic, where she leads efforts to ensure equal access to books and literacy for all children. With over 30 years at Scholastic, she previously served as President of Scholastic Book Clubs, helping to build classroom libraries and provide books for students. Judy has significant nonprofit leadership experience, serving on boards such as Reach Out and Read and the M.R. Robinson Foundation. She also launched The United States of Readers, a program to give students in under-resourced schools the opportunity to choose and own books. Judy holds an MBA from NYU Stern and a Master’s in Education from Harvard.
Rod Bowen
Rod Bowen is an experienced educational leader with over 30 years in public education, including roles at both traditional school districts and charter organizations. Most recently, he served as Chief of High Schools and Regional Superintendent for Achievement First Charter Schools. Rod has also led initiatives at the NYC Department of Education, including the Office of Teacher Development and the Office of School Quality, focusing on rigorous instruction, racial equity, and school improvement. As the founding principal of DreamYard Preparatory School in the Bronx, Rod fostered a school culture centered on scholarship, artistry, and character. Currently pursuing a PhD in Leadership and Change from Antioch University, his research explores social justice-oriented leadership and teacher development for Black and brown students.
Dr. Caryn D. Cooper
Dr. Caryn D. Cooper is the principal of Cook Elementary School in Plainfield, NJ, with 18 years of experience in leadership roles, including Acting Assistant Superintendent, Acting Superintendent, and Principal within the Plainfield School District. Passionate about the impact of school leadership on student learning and literacy, Caryn has served on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey chapter of ASCD. Prior to her administrative career, she taught in various roles, including as a second-grade teacher and staff developer in Newark Public Schools. Caryn holds a BS in Computer Science from Kean University, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, where she focused on instructional leadership.
Dr. Nicole Brittingham Furlonge
Dr. Nicole Brittingham Furlonge is a professor and executive director of the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University, and teaches in the Narrative Medicine program at Columbia University’s medical school. She is also co-founder and principal of LEARNS Collaborative, which promotes human-centered strategic thinking and change-making in organizations. A first-generation college graduate, Nicole holds a Ph.D. and B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.A. from the University of Michigan. She has taught and held leadership roles in several independent schools, including St. Andrew’s School, The Lawrenceville School, and Princeton Day School. Nicole is the author of Race Sounds: The Art of Listening in African American Literature and has written extensively on the intersections of listening, systems thinking, and social justice in education. She serves on multiple boards, including The School at Columbia University and International School Services (ISS). Currently, Nicole is working on three writing projects, including Citizen Listener, which explores listening as a practice for democracy.
Cheryl Landrieu
Cheryl Landrieu is a lawyer, author, and founder of the New Orleans Book Festival. She has a long history of supporting strategic community initiatives in New Orleans, most recently focused on literacy and advocacy for the advancement of women and girls. Cheryl co-founded the New Orleans Children’s Book Festival with Ruby Bridges in 2010, which has grown into a major annual event. Cheryl also founded GirlUpNOLA, an initiative that empowers girls and young women in the community. In 2017, she led a successful renovation of Gallier Hall, New Orleans' historic former City Hall, while publishing a book on its history. With over 25 years in law, Cheryl has worked in private practice, at Louisiana’s appellate courts, and as Clerk of Court for the Fifth Circuit. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from LSU and a Juris Doctor from Loyola College of Law. Cheryl is married to Mitch Landrieu and mother to five grown children.
Dr. Nancy Sommers
Dr. Nancy Sommers is an internationally recognized scholar in composition and rhetoric, and a prize-winning writer. She directed the Harvard College Writing Program for 20 years, overseeing the Expository Writing Program and founding the Harvard Writing Project. As principal investigator of the Harvard Study of Undergraduate Writing, Nancy explored how writing shapes undergraduate education. To honor her work at Harvard, she was awarded an endowed chair, the Sosland Chair in Writing. She is the author of several widely used writing handbooks and numerous award-winning essays and films. Currently, Nancy is a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she teaches writing and mentors new teachers. Outside of academia, she is a Girl Scout Troop Leader and literacy volunteer, passionate about helping children develop their identities as readers and writers.