Board Members of the South Sound Reading Foundation These are the professionals who generously donate their time and experience to help further our mission.
Our board members past and present are passionate about literacy!
Thank you Anne Wilson for sharing why you joined South Sound Reading Foundation.
Executive Board
Derek Bumrungsiri (he/him), TwinStar Credit Union Division Manager, President
My favorite children’s book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. The message still resonates with me today, as it did when I first heard it in elementary school.
Having a young son, I see the impact that reading 20 minutes day has on his development and academic achievement. I joined the board to support access to books for all youth in the communities we serve.
Mike McGauly (he/him), Shareholder, Strader Hallett, PS, Treasurer
I’ll admit that I had to be bribed to start reading. I couldn’t sit still long enough to spend time with a book and reading was difficult for me. But around sixth grade that changed. My sixth grade teacher started reading time after lunch and introduced us to The Hobbit. I was hooked. And once I got hooked I would spend hours reading. It was great to be able to dream of new worlds and different characters. Now I find that reading helps calm my mind at the end of the day.
It has also become one of the special times that I get to spend with my wife. We find a book (usually a mystery these days) and read to each other out loud almost every day. I would encourage everyone to read with someone they love every day.
Rick Peters (he/him), Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Vice President
The book that got me hooked is The Hobbit. New worlds, amazing story, real stakes.
Besides a safe and healthy home life, nothing to me is more important to a child's development than learning to read. Being excited about reading is even better.
Ruth Conn (she/her) - Pediatrician and Community Volunteer, Secretary/Past President
I received Nancy Drew “The Secret of the Wooden Lady” from my aunt for my tenth birthday, and from then on I had my nose in a book and my mind traveled far and wide!
I joined SSRF as a volunteer and later a Board member because I love children, I love books, and I want children to have the opportunity to love them as I have!
Board
Amanda N. Adrian (she/her) - Graphic Designer, Marketing Coordinator, Former Reading Educator
Dicey’s Song by Cynthia Voigt was THE BOOK for me. I was about eleven years old when I first met Dicey Tillerman, a resourceful and resilient oldest sister, who found herself in charge of her three siblings after being abandoned by their mother. Dicey was believable and relatable, and I felt like I was on the journey to find safety for herself and her siblings right along with her.This book revealed to me who I am as a reader: someone who loves realistic fiction, strong character development, and books about complex and interesting families. These traits are hallmarks of all of my favorite books to this day. And Dicey’s Song? It’s still just as good today as it was when I was a young reader.
Books can be a source of learning, a way to understand and appreciate others, and a place of comfort. Having access to quality books is key to growing passionate and compassionate readers, something I value deeply as a lifelong reader and as a former educator. This is why I believe so strongly in the mission and work of the South Sound Reading Foundation.
Brenna English (she/her) - Griffin Schools
My favorite kid's books are The Nancy Drew Series, I loved them all! We did not have many books in my house growing up, so I was always so excited to see a new book in the series at the school library.
I joined the board because I believed in the foundation goal to put book in the hands of kids, supporting the love of reading.
David Fisher (he/him/his) - Partner, FM Public Affairs, LLC
When I was very young, my mother would read to me and I'd always pick "The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant." I knew the story by heart and loved the illustrations, but in all honesty, I think I always picked that one because it was longer than a lot of the Dr. Seuss books. Of course, was on the end of similar ploys when my daughters were young.
I can't remember a time when I didn't love reading. I just want to share that love as broadly and as deeply as possible.
Karen Johnson (she/her) - Executive Director of Elementary Education, North Thurston Schools
My favorite books is, Thank You Omu! it’s about everyone in the neighborhood dreaming of tasting Omu’s delicious stew.
The South Sound Reading Foundation truly understands the importance of instilling a love of literacy in our children at an early age, so they become literate as adults. As the director in charge of literacy for North Thurston Public Schools, I see first-hand how our students benefit from our partnership with the South Sound Reading Foundation.
Kara Meyer (she/her) - Kara Meyer Psychology Services
My favorite children's book was the Velveteen Rabbit. I have fond memories of lying in bed reading along while listening to it on cassette tape.
I joined the SSRF board because I believe in the power of literacy. It is key in the development of a child's health and well-being!
Tanya Murray (she/her) - SPSCC, Adjunct Faculty
I have soooo many favorite children's books. The Mr. Putter series, by Cynthia Rylant, is high on my list because they make you feel good. Every time. The Giver, by Lois Lowry, because it makes you think about thinking. Forever.
It is what books offer us--pleasure, joy, challenge, empathy, knowledge, power, connection--that motivates me to serve on the SSRF board. I want to be a part of helping all children have access to these opportunities. I feel certain the world is better when children are well read.
Cynthia Pratt (she/her) - Poet Laureate, City of Lacey
I loved The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, Unabridged! Was it scary? Well of course! But that was the point. It’s like Harry Potter’s appeal today, and the illustrations were exquisite.
I serve on the SSRF Board because it puts books in the hands of children, especially those that may not have the kind of library with which I grew up. It allows kids to imagine “see” places they have never been before.
Liz Selsor (she/her) - Community Health Investment Manager, Providence, Southwest Washington and Alaska Regions
Green Eggs and Ham and my mother were the dynamic duo that taught me to read at the age of three, sparking a passion that has defined the rest of my life. I forced Mom to read this book to me so many times that I knew the words by heart and learned to identify them on the page.
Reading has brought magic to my life ever since, and that is the gift the South Sound Reading Foundation gives to the children of our community. It is my honor to serve on the board of this organization, which provides kids with a sense of wonder and adventure, unlocks mysteries and vast emotions, opens doors and imaginations, and introduces characters and stories that have the power to change lives.
Frank Wilson (he/him) - Executive Director of Operations, Olympia School District
I was drawn to the Hardy Boys series in my elementary school years. I would read each night before bed and get lost in the stories of mystery, trying to guess where the story might take me on the next page.
I believe literacy is the gateway to all learning. It gives power to the mind, heart and soul all at once. Efforts by SSRF to provide those opportunities to all students is critical in their development and helps to provide a solid foundation for lifelong learning.