Start Date: January 2023

Mary Mathew leads Book Harvest’s advocacy and policy efforts, connecting the organization to national, state, and local early childhood and early literacy advocacy and policy initiatives and leaders to help realize our vision of literacy and justice for all. With experience building collaborations with key stakeholders across systems, she creates opportunities for new and enhanced partnerships with policymakers, legislators, funders, system and community leaders, and families. Mary leads and participates in convenings, writes, engages in coalitions, and amplifies family and community voices to support equitable access to books and resources for every child.

With over 20 years of experience, Mary led initiatives in her role as Collaboration and Policy Leader at the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation, including the Pathways to Grade-Level Reading and the NC Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, and served as a director at a place-based, non-profit organization working collectively with partners to provide opportunities for children and families from cradle-to-college. Each role included relationships and impact that form a foundation for substantial knowledge, connections, and influence. Mary has conducted research on public health issues, and her work has been published in news outlets and peer-reviewed journals. She also practiced as an Occupational Therapist, partnering with schools, parents, and students.

Mary holds a Master of Science in Public Health (Maternal and Child Health) from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy) and Bachelor of Arts and Science from McMaster University. She is a graduate of the NC Public School Forum’s Education Policy Fellowship Program and a Leadership Triangle Goodman Fellow.