Read Global: Literacy and rural empowerment in South Asia

Naita serves as deputy director of READ Global, overseeing a wide range of strategic responsibilities including marketing, fundraising, programs, finance and operations. READ Global establishes community library and resource centers (READ Centers) by partnering with rural communities in South Asia, where a majority of women are illiterate, and most families live below the poverty line. All READ Centers are owned and operated by the local community. Each Center has a library, computer room, women's section, children's room and training hall. READ Global connects with local partners to offer trainings in education, economic empowerment, technology and women's empowerment. Naita is passionately committed to improving livelihoods and education to address the grand challenges of poverty and international development. Prior to joining READ Global, Naita served as assistant director of The Asia Foundation's Books for Asia program, overseeing programs across 20 countries. Earlier in her career, Naita also managed and supported the professional development of teaching candidates with Stanford’s Teacher Education Program (STEP) connecting teaching candidates with veteran mentor teachers across the Bay Area. Naita's diverse experiences include teaching on the island of Ailinglaplap in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and managing large institutional investment portfolios with Mellon Capital Management. She received her B.A. in economics and M.A. in peace education from the United Nations-mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica.