Team

Read to Succeed Buffalo (RTSB) is strategically focused on creating a continuum of aligned, evidence-based, data-driven, professional development literacy supports for teachers of economically disadvantaged children from birth to 3rd grade. In addition, RTSB is the local affilate for Vroom, a program supported by the Bezos Family Foundation, that helps parents with affirming and reinforcing activities and tips that inspire positive and brain building interactions with their children.

Staff

Anne S. Ryan has served as Executive Director of Read to Succeed Buffalo since she joined the organization in 2011.

Ryan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to RTSB in early childhood education, organizational leadership and development. Prior to Read to Succeed, Anne served as Director of Resource and Project Development with Catholic Charities of Buffalo and VP of Community Impact with the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.

Anne was responsible for implementation of Success by 6, UW's early childhood initiative, successfully developing leadership capacity in the field serving as its first Executive Director. In 2006, Anne was awarded the NYS Association for the Education of Young Children's Champion for Children award. Anne is a 1999 graduate of Leadership Buffalo and a Health Foundation of Western & Central New York Health Fellow. She was recently recognized as a Buffalo Business First Woman of Influence for 2023.

Currently Anne is a board member of the Buffalo Education Equity Task Force, Episcopal Church Home and Affilates, Inc. Foundation and Catholic Charities of Buffalo.

Julia Brueckl is the Director of Program for Read to Succeed Buffalo, supporting CARE Child Care, CARE Preschool, and Experience Corps programming. She has been with RTSB since 2008, employed as a literacy coach and literacy intervention specialist, where she collaborated with teachers to enhance the language and literacy skills of students. In addition, Julia has presented at local, state, and national conferences about vocabulary, comprehension, and literacy in the content areas. Before working at RTSB, Julia was a prekindergarten teacher. She has her M.S. in Literacy and B.S. in elementary education from the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Kristen Bellomo is an Experience Corps Coordinator with Read to Succeed Buffalo and focuses on supporting Experience Corps Tutor/Mentors in PreK through 3rd Grade classrooms. Kristen's primary responsibilities are to guide, monitor, and assist Experience Corps Volunteer Tutor/Mentors in adapting instructional strategies using data and materials for students who demonstrate risk of reading difficulty and who require more intentional instructional intervention to meet grade-level goals. In addition to her responsibilities supporting the EC tutor/mentors, Kristen also provides coaching and mentoring to the Experience Corps Literacy Coaches. Prior to becoming an Experience Corps Coordinator, Kristen was an Experience Corps Literacy Coach, and a Literacy Intervention Specialist for RTSB.

Shannon Davis is an Experience Corps Coordinator with Read to Succeed Buffalo and focuses on supporting Experience Corps Tutor/Mentors in PreK through 3rd Grade classrooms. Kristen's primary responsibilities are to guide, monitor, and assist Experience Corps Volunteer Tutor/Mentors in adapting instructional strategies using data and materials for students who demonstrate risk of reading difficulty and who require more intentional instructional intervention to meet grade-level goals. In addition to her responsibilities supporting the EC tutor/mentors, Shannon also provides coaching and mentoring to the Experience Corps Literacy Coaches. Prior to becoming an Experience Corps Coordinator Shannon was an Experience Corps Literacy Coach and Literacy Intervention Specialist for RTSB.

Victoria D'Amaro is an Experience Corps Literacy Coach with Read to Succeed Buffalo focused on supporting Experience Corps Tutor/Mentors in 1st Grade through 3rd Grade classrooms. Victoria's primary responsibilities are to guide, monitor, and assist Experience Corps Tutor/Mentors in adapting instructional strategies using data and materials for students who demonstrate risk of reading difficulty and who require more intentional instructional intervention to meet grade-level goals. Victoria has both a Literacy Specialist master's degree and a Childhood Education bachelor's degree from Buffalo State University. Prior to joining the RTSB team, Victoria was an Elementary Teacher, Literacy Specialist, and Instructional Coach in Buffalo, NY.

Bridget Fitzpatrick is an Experience Corps Literacy Coach at Read to Succeed Buffalo focused on supporting Experience Corps Tutor/Mentors in 1st Grade through 3rd Grade classrooms. Bridget's primary responsibilities are to guide, monitor, and assist Experience Corps Tutor/Mentors in adapting instructional strategies using data and materials for students who demonstrate risk of reading difficulty and who require more intentional instructional intervention to meet grade-level goals. Bridget earned a master’s degree in Literacy Birth-grade 12 at Canisius University. Prior to becoming an ECLC, Bridget was a Literacy Specialist K-4.

Anna Parlato is an Experience Corps Buffalo VISTA at Read to Succeed Buffalo, focusing on program optimization and technology within the AARP Foundation Experience Corps to provide a higher quality of literacy services focused on individuals living in poverty. Anna’s primary responsibilities include optimizing policies, procedures, and technological components of the AARP Foundation Experience Corps program to streamline operations and better position for growth. Anna is currently working on completing her Bachelor’s Degree in History and Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education.

Silvia Steele is an Experience Corps Literacy Coach with Read to Succeed Buffalo focused on supporting Experience Corps Tutor/Mentors in 1st Grade through 3rd Grade classrooms. Silvia's primary responsibilities are to guide, monitor, and assist Experience Corps Tutor/Mentors in adapting instructional strategies using data and materials for students who demonstrate risk of reading difficulty and who require more intentional instructional intervention to meet grade-level goals. Silvia has a master's degree in Special Education from Syracuse University with NYS certification in Special Education PreK through 12th grade. Prior to joining the RTSB team, Silvia was a Special Education teacher, Mental Health & Disabilities Coordinator, and an Access & Inclusion Specialist.

Elizabeth Wilk is an Early Literacy Intervention Specialist with Read to Succeed Buffalo. As part of the CARE initiative, her role is to increase language and literacy skills for three- and four-year-old children in collaboration with Head Start teaching teams. Elizabeth holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University at Buffalo, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Prior to joining RTSB Elizabeth was a Universal Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Bethel Head Start for 15 years. In 2022 she attained New York Association for the Education of Young Children (NYAEYC) Training and Technical Assistance Professional Coaching credential for early childhood teachers and leaders.

Board of Directors


Mary Jo Hunt- Chair Executive Director James H. Cummings Foundation	Carmen Snell, Esq. - Vice Chair Vice President, Deputy General Counsel Highmark Western & Northeastern NY	Michael Noah - Treasurer President Bank On Buffalo	Hon. Betty Calvo-Torres - Nominating & Governance Judge of the Court of Claims New York State Supreme Court


Shai Arnold Senior Program Manager DEI M&T Bank	Carol Goulding Group VP Wilmington Trust, M&T Bank	Wendy L. Montante Community Volunteer	Richard J. Morrisroe, Esq. Counsel VanDette Law PLLC