Staff

EMILY KIRVEN (she, her), FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Emily began teaching in the New York City public school system in 1997 after graduating from Bennington College with a degree in literature and languages and after completing a masters degree in English education from Teachers College, Columbia University. As an English Language Arts teacher in a Brooklyn public middle school, Emily was faced with a particular challenge: many of her middle school students were reading far below grade level and her training as a secondary English teacher did not help her address these students’ needs. Frustrated by her inability to help these students efficiently and directly, and recognizing the problem as widespread, Emily returned to Teachers College, Columbia University to earn an MA and state certification as a Reading Specialist with the goal of gaining a better understanding of how to help struggling middle grade and adolescent readers. After graduating from Columbia, Emily worked to develop and build READ 718, opening the reading center’s doors to the community in January 2015. Emily lives in Brooklyn with her husband and three children.

SUSANNAH TAYLOR (she, her), COO & DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Susannah is Chief Operating Officer and Director of Development at READ 718. Prior to joining the staff of READ 718, she was a founding board member, serving on the board from 2015 until 2018. Before joining READ 718, she was Director of Finance at Malia Mills, a fashion company headquartered in Brooklyn, and spent 10 years working at Goldman Sachs in investment banking. She served on the board of Brooklyn Heights Montessori School from 2006 to 2012 and currently serves on the board of the Brooklyn Community Foundation. Susannah graduated from Princeton University with a BA in English Literature. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, she moved to New York City in 1990 and to Brooklyn in 2002, where she lives in Park Slope with her husband and three daughters.

Taylor jORDAN (she, her), Program Manager, READ 718 REMOTE

Taylor is from Baltimore, MD and has been living in Brooklyn, NY since 2017. She developed her love of reading as a child when her mom gave her her first chapter book, which was from the Junie B. Jones series. She received her B.S. in Community Health from the University of Maryland, where she also spent time tutoring elementary school students in reading and math. She believes education is a matter of public health, and wants to provide tutors and families with the support and tools needed to help children become successful readers and develop a love of reading. She has continued to tutor throughout the years, and is passionate about helping underserved communities, children, and BIPOC thrive. In her free time she enjoys participating in a 52 book challenge, performing in community musical theater, dancing, and watching reality television!

Anna-Lisa Trotman (she, her), Program manager, BEDford-stuyvesant

Anna-Lisa is a Brooklyn native who has always loved working with kids and serving the families in her community. She received her BA in Sociology at Cornell University and later, her MA in Educational Leadership from NYU and an MA in Teaching from Relay Graduate School. Her experience ranges from Parent Coordinator in Bushwick to ELA classroom teacher in Brownsville. In her spare time, you can find her singing, walking in nature or practicing the piano. She’s super excited to continue to increase literacy achievement and the love of reading with our READ 718 community.

OLIVIA fingold (SHE, HER), PROGRAM MANAGER, Boerum HILL

Olivia is a literacy advocate born and raised in the Chicagoland area. She received her BS in Interdisciplinary Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later moved to North Carolina where she spent two years with the NC LiteracyCorps at Duke University capacity building and providing direct service to community-powered literacy programs across the state. She believes that literacy is a fundamental right that is both empowering and achievable for all students. Find her under a tree reading a book, on a walk listening to music, or over the stove cooking up something to share.

Kim Brooks(she, her), Assistant Director of Development & OPERATIONS

Kim is a longtime Brooklynite with a passion for reading and literacy, and a commitment to educational equity. She has worked in Student Affairs for CUNY, and most recently has served as a PTA Executive Board President at her children's New York City public elementary school. Kim lives with her two daughters and husband in Carroll Gardens. In her free time, she can be found running in Brooklyn Bridge Park, watching her daughter’s softball games at Prospect Park, or reading a book from her local library.

lU POTESHMAN (SHE, HER), PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, BEDFORD-stuyvesant

Lu is a Midwesterner, New Yorker, avid reader and educator. She holds a BA in English Literature and Art, Theory & Practice from Northwestern University. She is excited to channel her background in music instruction, academic tutoring and literary nonprofit administration towards building community with the goal of empowering youth. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book, she’s most likely spending way too long cooking dinner or off in search of her next outdoor adventure. 

ELEANOR gRIFFITH (SHE, HER), PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, Boreum Hill

Eleanor was born and raised in the city of Chicago. She holds a BS in Sociology from the University of Bristol, where her research focused on social determinants of health and their impact on child development and educational outcomes. Before joining READ 718, Eleanor worked as a pre-kindergarten educator with Chicago Public Schools and also supported students through one-on-one tutoring. She moved to Brooklyn in 2024 and enjoys hosting monthly book club meetings and themed dinner parties, as well as exploring the city on long walks. 

Porsalin Israel (SHE, HER), PROGRAM associate, read 718 Remote

taya KING (SHE/HER), pROGRAM associate, read 718 REMOTE

Taya, hailing from Atlanta and Brooklyn, has a passion for children everywhere. Taya graduated from Agnes Scott College and has experience in education and museum programming. She also worked as a nanny for five years. Taya is the oldest of 8 siblings, has two nieces, and a cat named Chicken whom she loves so much. Taya is so excited to be a part of the READ 718 team and to nurture its community! In her free time, you can find her at the gym, with her siblings, or sitting on a stoop somewhere in Brooklyn. 

JESSICA LOBACCARO, PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, REad 718 remote

Jess is a native New Yorker, born and raised on Long Island. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from George Washington University. After graduating, she briefly lived out her west coast dreams in San Francisco, but like a siren song, she felt New York City calling her back. She is a writer, reader, and educator with a passion for storytelling and youth empowerment. She is a literary advocate who believes in the power of community and is excited to uphold those values through her work with READ 718. You’ll often find her strolling through the park, flipping through a book, or swimming in any body of water she can find (but preferably the ocean.)