New board members bring global development, government partnerships, and strategy expertise as Worldreader accelerates impact for families worldwide
Seattle, Washington – [January 21, 2026] – Worldreader, a global tech nonprofit committed to getting families reading, announced the appointment of Mark Castellino, global development executive, and Flora Yu Poort, independent strategy consultant, to its U.S. Board of Directors. Their appointments come at a pivotal moment as Worldreader continues to scale its free early childhood development digital app, BookSmart.
Castellino brings more than 26 years of experience in global development, public-sector partnerships, and organizational leadership. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President of Government Services at Opportunity International, where he established the organization’s Washington, DC office and built its U.S. government funding portfolio. During his tenure,
Castellino secured the U.S. government’s first investment in private-sector approaches to basic education and expanded partnerships with national governments and multilateral institutions.
“Reading is one of the most powerful drivers of opportunity,” said Castellino. “Worldreader’s ability to combine technology, evidence, and family engagement at scale positions it to create lasting change.”
Poort is an independent consultant with more than 20 years of experience advising CEOs and senior leaders on strategy, transactions, partnerships, and analytics. She spent over a decade at McKinsey & Company, where she led the firm’s pharma forecasting service line and helped guide critical growth decisions for organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Her global experience spans the United States, France, Benelux, and China.
“Stories shape how children see themselves and the world,” said Poort. “Worldreader’s mission is both deeply human and strategically smart, and I’m excited to help the organization scale thoughtfully.”
“Mark and Flora bring complementary strengths at a pivotal moment for Worldreader,” said Rachel Klausner, Chair of Worldreader’s U.S. Board of Directors. “Their combined expertise will help deepen our impact while keeping families and outcomes at the center of our work.”
Worldreader CEO Rebecca Chandler Leege added that the appointments reinforce the organization’s long-term vision.
“As Worldreader and BookSmart continue to evolve, strong governance and diverse expertise are essential,” said Chandler Leege. “Mark and Flora bring the strategic leadership needed to translate access to stories into measurable benefits for children and families.”
About Worldreader
Worldreader is a global tech nonprofit on a mission to get families reading. By supporting parents and caregivers with free, accessible digital tools and resources, we build reading routines that improve children’s learning outcomes and social-emotional skills in underserved communities worldwide. Our work is grounded in research, shaped by local context, and delivered through trusted partnerships and platforms. Since 2010, Worldreader has reached more than 22 million readers worldwide. Learn more at www.worldreader.org.
