Business First of Buffalo

Read to Succeed will see a management shift this week as Anne Ryan takes over as executive director, effective May 2.

The organization provides literacy programming to children and families with a goal of increasing literacy rates in the Buffalo region.

Ryan, who most recently served as director of advancement at Catholic Charities of Buffalo, brings a background in early childhood, strategic planning, program development and fund development.

She previously served in leadership positions at the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and was responsible for the early implementation of Success By 6, the United Way's early childhood initiative. She also served on the Read to Succeed Buffalo Literacy Coalition.

Ryan holds bachelor's degrees in political science and English from Oswego State College.
She succeeds retiring founder Helene Kramer, who started with the organization eight years ago when it was established as a program of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. In 2008, it was transitioned into an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, one that ended its 2009 fiscal year with revenue of $2.1 million.

Under Kramer's watch, the agency has provided kindergarten readiness programming to more than 1,000 children, grown awareness about the issues of low literacy rates and worked to foster a culture of literacy among families with young children.

In an email statement to supporters, Kramer said she looks forward to spending time traveling and gardening.