Wendi Yen Huestis Joins Worldreader as Chief Advancement Officer

April 28, 2023 – San Francisco, California. Worldreader, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to getting children reading, is proud to announce that Wendi Yen Huestis has joined the organization as its Chief Advancement Officer.

Ms. Huestis is an experienced leader of mission-driven organizations, having partnered with high-net-worth individuals, volunteers, foundations, and corporations alongside her NGO fundraising and marketing teams for over 23 years.

Ms. Huestis’s professional goals are also deeply personal. She works purposefully to make an impact on a variety of key issues including access to equal and quality education for all. She has also worked tirelessly to end discrimination and stigma surrounding mental health and human rights issues, and is passionate about helping people reach their potential through job creation and protection.

“Worldreader is thrilled to welcome Wendi as our Chief Advancement Officer. Her extensive experience and commitment to social impact align perfectly with our mission to get children reading to reach their potential, and we are confident that she will help us expand our reach and impact.”

David Risher, Worldreader Board Founding Chair and co-founder

Rebecca Chandler-Leege, Worldreader’s CEO, welcomes Ms. Huestis to the team. Wendi is responsible for leading the global revenue growth as well as PR and global marketing efforts in support of the organization’s mission. Leege shared: “Wendi brings not only a depth of expertise but also great energy and passion for Worldreader’s mission. I’m thrilled to have her on the team.”

“I am excited to join Worldreader and to be part of an organization that is making such a significant impact on the world. I look forward to working with the team to grow our impact, reach more under-resourced families and communities, and make a positive difference in children’s lives.”

Wendi Huestis, Worldreader Chief Advancement Officer

Ms. Huestis graduated from Cornell University with her BA in Government and a concentration in French and Law, where she was a Cornell National Scholar (top 2%). She received an integrative health certification at Columbia University and IIN, and completed her MBA at Cornell’s Johnson School. She is a member of the Technology Enterprise Network, which supports individuals through the skillful and racially equitable use of technology, and is a member of the boating club, Wall Street Dragons. She was a co-founder of S.A.M., an NGO that provided medical supplies to pediatric hospitals in Bolivia. Wendi was born in Tokyo, raised on a farm in Vermont, studied in Paris, volunteered in La Paz, worked in Prague, has traveled to over 65 countries for work and pleasure and lives in Manhattan with her family.

About Worldreader

Worldreader gets children reading so they can reach their potential. The international nonprofit organization works with partners to get children reading at least 25 books a year with understanding, because regular reading leads to improved educational outcomes, stronger emotional intelligence, and higher earning potential. Worldreader achieves impact with BookSmart, a complete reading experience that improves reading comprehension, social-emotional, and digital literacy skills for children ages 3-12 years old. Since 2010, Worldreader has supported more than 21 million readers in over 100 countries.

MEDIA CONTACT

Wendi Huestis
Chief Advancement Officer
Worldreader
Contact Wendi