Our Leadership

Meet the team behind the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks.
Photo of Executive Director Ryan Breish
Ryan A. Breisch
Executive Director
Ryan Breisch is an experienced senior executive with deep expertise in organizational strategy, programmatic innovation, external communications, and fundraising in the education and nonprofit space.

Ryan has dedicated his career to adult literacy, starting at the Literacy Council when he was fourteen years old, while his grandmother, Joan, was the Council’s executive director.
During his tenure as the executive director, Ryan has led and managed the growth of the Council’s footprint in Berks County, expanding partnerships with local businesses and school districts to provide access to adult education to all Berks County residents.
Photo of Executive Assistant Lily Ponce
Lily Ponce
Executive Assistant
Lily is a bilingual (English and Spanish) professional with two decades of administrative expertise, including eight years in the Non-Profit sector. Outside of work, she loves to travel and spend time with her family.
Photo of Volunteer Coordinator Taylor Mahoney
Taylor Mahoney
Volunteer Coordinator
Taylor, who's also worked at the Literacy Council as an ESL instructor for over a year, cherishes the appreciation from students and tutors after they match. Beyond work, she's passionate about cooking, the beach, swimming, reading, concerts, movies, and family moments.
Photo of training and development support specialist Bev Hirneisen
Beverly (Bev) Hirneisen
Training & Development Support Specialist
For the past 15 years, Bev has been crafting, developing, and delivering programs to enrich literacy in Berks County and Reading workplaces, providing crucial support to all Literacy Council students.
Picture of Akua
Akua Afriyie
Digital Navigator
Over the last 8 years, Akua has focused on making technology more accessible. She’s passionate about guiding and empowering people as they explore and navigate the digital world.

2026 Board of Directors

Board Officers
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‍President – Terry Grassley, 2026*
First National Bank
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Vice President – Pamela L. VanFossen, 2028*
Masano Bradley
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Secretary – Dr. Anna Weitz, 2028*
President Emerita, Reading Area Community College
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Treasurer – Nicholas Grassley, 2027
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Executive Director (ex officio) - Ryan A. Breisch 
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Board of Directors
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‍Kristi Gage-Linderman, 2026
Gage Talent and Business Solutions
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Jennifer Goldsmith-Cerra, 2028*

Ronald J. Hunsicker, 2028
Retired Engineer
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Robert Libutti, 2026*
Retired, UGI Energy Services
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Brenda Rosado, 2026
East Penn Manufacturing Co.
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Dharmaraj Sivasamy, 2028
Penske Transportation Solutions
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Christopher Spohn, 2026
Retired, Hamburg School District
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Jim Wood, 2027
Retired, Penske Transportation Solutions
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Dalai Zambrano, 2028*
Reading Public Library
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Instructional Staff

Mike Deibert                                               Guadalupe Kasper
Annie DelCollo                                            Abigail Martin
Katie Evans                                                Elisa Nanna
Gary Fox                                                    Edvard Phillipson
Sarah Glick                                                Pamela Sonon
Valeri Harteg                                              Ramona Turpin

Your donation today creates a lifetime of opportunity.

Because of you, local parents, workers, and neighbors will gain vital reading, English language, and computer skills. They will earn a high school equivalency degree, get a job, enroll in college, help their children in school, and much more. With many people on our waiting list, your donation is urgently needed.
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