New York City, NY – June 26, 2024 – The Board of Directors of Literacy Partners is pleased to announce the appointment of Asaf Bar-Tura, PhD, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Bar-Tura will assume leadership of the organization on July 22, 2024.
With a rich background in educational leadership and nonprofit management, Dr. Bar-Tura brings over 20 years of experience in transformative nonprofit leadership to the role. He most recently served as Executive Director at SMART, based in San Francisco, CA, where he successfully expanded educational programs, increased funding, and fostered community partnerships. Throughout his career, Dr. Bar-Tura has held several leadership positions with organizations including The Posse Foundation, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, and the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center.
Dr. Bar-Tura holds a PhD in Political Theory and a Master’s in Philosophy from Loyola University Chicago, and earned a Bachelor’s in Philosophy and Political Science from Ben-Gurion University. He is currently participating in Stanford University’s Executive Leadership Program at the Graduate School of Business.
“I am honored to join Literacy Partners, which has been a leader in advancing educational access, social mobility, and economic opportunity. Reading changes everything, and I am excited to partner with the staff, board, and the Literacy Partners community to continue transforming lives in the organization’s next phase of growth and impact,” said Dr. Bar-Tura.
Literacy Partners has been serving the New York City community for 50 years, providing vital educational resources and support to adults seeking to improve their lives through learning. The organization is dedicated to addressing the educational needs of adults while also supporting their children through its unique two-generation approach to education.
“We are thrilled to welcome Asaf to the team,” said Courtney E. K. Lewis, Chair of the Board of Directors at Literacy Partners. “The Board and I were impressed with his strategic mindset, creativity, thoughtfulness, transparency, and commitment to empowering his team members. As Literacy Partners embarks on its next 50 years of service, we are confident Asaf’s leadership will play a pivotal role in furthering the organization’s important work.”
With Dr. Bar-Tura’s demonstrated track record of effective organizational management and his commitment as a leader focused on equity, social justice, and community partnership, Literacy Partners is poised to grow its impact in New York and throughout the country.
For more information about Literacy Partners, please visit www.literacypartners.org or contact Kristine Cooper at KristineC@literacypartners.org.