Read Fort Worth has announced the appointment of a new Executive Director this month. Anel Mercado will succeed founding executive director Kristin Sullivan, who recently accepted a position as Executive Director at JPS Foundation.
Mercado was selected following an extensive, national search this summer that culminated in identifying the individual with the experience and knowledge that Read Fort Worth leaders have identified as key to the continued success of the initiative.
Mercado brings two decades of experience working in leadership with nonprofits and educational institutions to her new position. She previously served as director of Thriving Together, the cradle-to-career educational collective impact effort in Phoenix, and also served as Community Outreach Manager for Molina Healthcare in Washington State in addition to operating her own consulting business. Mercado most recently served as director of programs at Arizona Center for Youth Resources.
Mercado shared the following statement in a press release: “I am truly excited to join the Fort Worth community and lock arms with the Read Forth Worth leadership, partners and team to continue and grow the work that has been established.”
Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Kent Scribner welcomed Mercado in a post on his Facebook page:
“Welcome, new Read Fort Worth Executive Director Anel Mercado. #ReadFortWorth continues to positively impact students through several initiatives, including its 2018 Summer Scholar Providers, which achieved a 59 percent gain in literacy.”
Founding executive director Kristin Sullivan will continue to serve as an informal consultant to Read Fort Worth through October 15.
Pictured: Dr. Kent Scribner and Anel Mercado. Photo courtesy of Read Fort Worth Facebook page, taken at 2018 Summer Scholars Cohort Celebration Luncheon.
ABOUT READ FORT WORTH
Read Fort Worth is the privately-funded, locally-controlled backbone organization formed to coordinate cross-sector, collective impact efforts to ensure that 100 percent of third-graders are reading on grade level by 2025. Read Fort Worth exists to provide unique, actionable data; to organize and align partners under the shared 100×25 goal; to develop strategies for significant improvement, and to communicate best practices and drive results. For more information, visit www.ReadFortWorth.org.
