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.
Picture of Leyla
Leyla Joseph
Office Assistant
Leyla is trilingual (English, French, and Creole). She enjoys working with students and helping them accomplish their goals. In her free time, she enjoys cleaning, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.
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.

2024 Board Officers

President
Dr. Anna Weitz
2025

President Emerita
Reading Area Community College

Vice President
Terry Grassley
2026

VP, Business Development Officer
First National Bank

Secretary
Ronald J. Hunsicker
2024*

Retired

Treasurer
Sumati Gopal-Gera
2025*

VP/Branch Manager
First National Bank

Executive Director
Ryan A. Breisch

Board of Directors

Kristi Gage-Linderman,
PHR, SHRM-CP
2026

Owner/Partner
Gage Talent & Business Solutions

Jennifer Goldsmith-Cerra
2025

Director of Communications
Herbein + Company, Inc.

Dr. Cassandra Hillegass
2024

Assistant Professor of Marketing
Central Penn College

Robert Libutti
2026*

Retired
UGI

Brenda Rosado
2026

Diversity & Inclusion Manager
East Penn Manufacturing Company

Chris J. Spohn
‍2026

Retired
Hamburg School District

James Wood
2024

Retired
Penske Truck Leasing

Pamela L. VanFossen
2025

Attorney
Masano Bradley

Dr. Tracy L. Williams

Manager of Technical Training
UGI Utilities

Dalai Zambrano
2025

Bilingual Paraprofessional
Reading Public Library

Board members serve a three year term. * means that their term ends this year.

Instructional Staff

Elaine Allen
Camila Celis
Michael Deibert
Annie DelCollo
Katie Evans
Gary Fox
Sarah Glick
Nancy Graff
Val Harteg
Guadalupe Kasper
Abigal Martin
Elisa Nanna
Edvard Philipson
Pamela Sonon
Ramona Turpin
Kelly Waters-Brzezicki

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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