One of my favourite memories of David was in Barcelona during the coming-together event in 2022. I think I was trying to figure out the coffee vending machine when David walked up to me from behind and greeted me, asked after my well-being and expressed his pleasure at my participation in the event. That was my first in-person interaction with David. Perhaps in every other organisation, it'd be an employee walking up to the CEO for a greeting, but with David and Worldreader it was the other way around. Seldom have I seen such a down-to-earth executive. The entire interaction made me feel really valued and increased my respect for David, which was already massive to begin with.

Shreyan Ghosh

My favorite WR story involving David is when we had the board meeting in Nairobi in 2019. We were having dinner at the hotel, and the server asked what we were all doing in Nairobi. I think it was David who said, "We are with Worldreader. We're helping children in Africa learn to read." The server said, "Oh, I know Worldreader! We used Kindles in my school and that's how I learned to read. In fact I credit Worldreader for actually getting this job." Anyway, this is how I recall this moment, and it made a huge impact on me, actually seeing the results of all the magnificent work David and Worldreader have accomplished.

Charles Brighton

David, Remember the secret room in the library!? You welcomed me into your home when I traveled to SF in 2022 and we spent a couple of hours catching up and chatting about my new venture and the past and future of Worldreader. David, it is a symbol of your achievements but also of your thoughtfulness in the attention to detail and your playfulness. Thank you for all you've done.

Kami

Wishing you at least 13 more years as our Board Chair and really thankful for all you have done and will continue to do as a champion of reading! Read to Kids, Tuta Tuta, Keep Children Reading, And more recently GPE KIX and Raising Readers have all been such memorable parts of my professional journey. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this great organization and pushing for more reading to young children!

Wendy Smith

David, I'll always remember eating alligator with you in Africa! And watching you dance with the kids at the schools in Kenya – you always jump right in! I love your joy and enthusiasm.

Elizabeth Chandler

David, I read once you started your early days with a ride across the US....on a bike! A few years later...millions of rides await now for you at Lyft! What a journey you've had, thanks for inviting us to join you for some years. Thank you for your leadership, trust and continuous support. It's been an honour to work for you and to help drive your vision.

Mark Frantz

David, while I did not get to work with you for a long time, I really want to say how much I admire your vision and tenacious focus on the key items that relate to the child and the parent. With everything else spinning around, you kept that forefront, and that is something hard to do. Thank you for that, and thank you for taking a chance with me coming in late in the game and helping to usher in a new evolution of the product. I do hope that you take up your pilot's certificate; if you ever need a pinch hitter instructor, I'll fly with you!

Sonny

Fresh out of maternity, baby Greta joined me for a late afternoon gathering. David was the only one to ask if he could hold the baby. Greta was amused and had great fun. I felt so grateful that I was part of an organisation headed by an exceptionally empathetic leader. Thank you for building this great organisation and for giving me the opportunity to work on what I love, marketing and the importance of reading (to children).

Lynn Caroline Bröker

David - A leader who challenges himself, dreams big and believes in making those dreams come true. You did not fail to leave an impression on me about how easily you were able to spark innovation and excitement in everyone around hence creating such an AWESOME team at Worldreader! You are a true leader and I would like to place a quote by John Quincy Adams here: "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." I wish you all the best in your future endeavours !

Rini

Dear David, Your leadership style, your work ethic, and your unwavering dedication to excellence have been a constant source of inspiration for me. I will miss you at Worldreader but I know you are going to spread your greatness at Lyft. Wishing you all the best in your new journey. Sincerely,

Wanjiku Kinyua

David has, first and foremost, been a consistent and supportive friend across all corners of the Atlantic, USA and Europe. Watching him grow in his leadership of Worldreader and other projects has been a pleasure and inspiration – along with Jennifer (who does not seem to age). We wish David the best in his future endeavors, where he will most certainly shine.

Jonathan

David - Extraordinary time we spent in an extraordinary place on top of Barcelona to celebrate the extraordinary potential of the Worldreader family. That was the last time we saw each other and it was an unforgettable experience. The energy you inject into everything you do - from a casual dinner conversation to leading promising organisations - is the fuel that drives any team to success. Best wishes on the next ride.

Adriana Brassart

David, I want to convey my deepest gratitude on behalf of all the children in West Africa and throughout the world who have become readers as a result of your initiative to establish Worldreader. Your dedication to making digital books available to people all over the world has helped to empower many individuals and communities, and has definitely had an enormous impact on countless lives. Thank you for your bold and inspiring leadership, your passion, and everything you've helped us achieve through Worldreader. I wish you the best of luck at Lyft.

Kezia

Thank you, David, for starting this initiative to get kids reading, especially those in underserved communities. I’m confident that many people who had the necessary resources in this world may have had the same concept but were unable to put it into practice. You deserve thanks for coming up with the concept and making it work for the kids who had the chance to read a book’s text using a Kindle and a mobile app. Those children say God bless you for impacting their life in any small way.

David A.

David, It's been a while since I left Worldreader but I must admit there are things that haven't changed much: I am still not great at the goodbyes and "public emotional moments". So with this lawyer disclaimer here we go:

Worldreader has given many of us the great opportunity to be passionate and proud about the work we were doing while having such a blast! Many shared adventures to the unknown that built long-lasting friendships. That in itself is the greatest success as a CEO! But for me, there was much more: I grew both professionally and personally.

Against all odds (I know you do not like lawyers that much) you encouraged me to explore many roles to later become your partner in crime. I am particularly thankful for your support in improving my communication skills (All those annual reviews did make a difference, I am much softer now), for your trust in my ability to lead and for the opportunity to learn how to create digital solutions from design to deployment. Thanks to that I am now working in a field that I love, so THANK YOU!

I hope you continue to make risky bets in your new role (I am sure you will)! Still once a Worldreader… always a Worldreader.

Clara

David, you are bold and a visionary!

Maurice

David, you are and have always been inspirational! Every time you have spoken at an event I felt my commitment to Worldreader reaffirmed. Your enthusiasm and great positivity are unmatched. So glad you are not going further than Chair of the Board!

Hermione