BOOK HARVEST WELCOMES THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS New Members Join a Team Dedicated to Realizing Literacy Equity from Birth for Every Child
July 13, 2023: Book Harvest, a Durham, North Carolina-based nonprofit organization dedicated to its vision of books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community, announced today the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors. George Biddle, Mallory Mbalia, and Joe Waters bring a wealth of experience and expertise in humanitarian work, educational equity, early childhood development, and social sector innovation to the organization.
George Biddle, a renowned humanitarian and development expert, has over three decades of experience in crisis response, grassroots development, and conflict mitigation. He currently serves as the chairman of World Connect, a nonprofit organization that invests in local leaders worldwide who design and implement self-sustaining community development projects. His background also includes executive roles at the International Rescue Committee and the International Crisis Group, where he played a crucial role in addressing global conflicts and promoting peace. He received his AB from Harvard and MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Mallory Mbalia, an experienced educator, communicator, and advocate, brings to her board service deep experience in early childhood education and public media. Mbalia currently serves as the Director of Learning and Education at Fred Rogers Productions, based in Pittsburgh. In this role, Mbalia works to expand the company’s “neighborhood” of educational partners and advisors as well as collaborate with its production; marketing, communications, and engagement; fundraising; and licensing teams. Mbalia previously served as Director of Education at PBS North Carolina in Education and Innovation, where she designed and implemented educational initiatives statewide for educators, parents and caregivers, and children of all ages. In 2018, she was named a PBS Digital Innovator All Star for her work as an education outreach trainer. She started her career in education teaching kindergarten and serving as an assistant principal. Mbalia holds a master’s degree in School Administration from North Carolina State University; a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix; and a BA in Human Development from Howard University.
Joe Waters brings to his Book Harvest board service extensive experience in early childhood development, governments and philanthropic organizations, and social impact finance. Waters is the co-founder and CEO of Capita, an independent think tank that works to build a future in which children and families can realize their full potential in a just, peaceful, prosperous society on a healthier, cleaner, and safer planet. A 2021 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow, Mr. Water’s commentary on issues facing families has been published by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Investor’s Business Daily, The Hill, Newsweek, Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Charlotte Observer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Nonprofit Quarterly, Early Learning Nation, and other outlets. Prior to starting Capita, Waters was the Executive Vice president of the Institute for Child Success. He graduated from Furman University with a BA in history and earned a master’s degree in divinity from Duke University.
"We are honored and delighted to welcome George Biddle, Mallory Mbalia, and Joe Waters to the Book Harvest family,” shared Ginger Young, founder and CEO of Book Harvest. “Their expertise, vision, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families align perfectly with our mission – and will fuel Book Harvest for this next chapter of our work, as we strive to work alongside parents to rewrite the literacy landscape for every child, from birth."
Book Harvest, which provided its two millionth book to a child in 2023, recently announced its plans to expand beyond its flagship community of Durham to work with communities across the state of North Carolina and the country. The expansion moves Book Harvest closer to realizing the organization’s vision of literacy equity for every child, from birth.
The three new members are joining a strong and deeply engaged Book Harvest Board of Directors. A full list of Board members can be found at bookharvest.org/leadership/.
For more information about Book Harvest, please visit www.bookharvest.org.
Access logos, photos, and videos at https://bookharvest.org/media-kit/
About Book Harvest:
Book Harvest is a nationally recognized, award-winning nonprofit organization headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. Since 2011, children have harvested more than two million Book Harvest books. With programs that are grounded in evidence, Book Harvest believes that literacy starts at birth, in the home, with parents and with books. The organization envisions a world in which reading, learning, and access to information are considered rights, not privileges, so that all children thrive. Learn more at bookharvest.org.
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