Get to Know Us
Behind every story of progress is a dedicated team of educators, advocates, and community builders. Get to know the passionate leaders who drive our programs, empower our students, and bring the mission of I Would Rather Be Reading to life every single day.
Led by Mission & Purpose
What began in 2017 as two Louisville educators noticing a gap in student reading access has grown into a citywide movement. Co-CEOs and founders Ashley Dearinger and Allison Ogle built I Would Rather Be Reading on a simple promise: connection first, literacy always.
Today, under their guidance, our team blends Science of Reading tutoring, Mindful Literacy, and enrichment programs across multiple school sites—ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive. Together with our community, Ashley and Allison continue to lead our organization into its next chapter: expanding access, empowering youth, and building a brighter future, one book at a time.
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Co-CEO
Allison Ogle
"Every child deserves access to safe spaces, strong relationships, and the support they need to thrive."
Co-Founder & Co-CEO Allison Ogle leads IWRBR’s mission-driven team with a focus on community, equity, and sustainable impact. Drawing on her expertise in strategic development, fundraising, and storytelling, she empowers both students and partner organizations to write their next chapter.
Co-CEO
Ashley Dearinger
"Every child deserves to become a literate citizen, and every family deserves support in making that possible."
Former teacher turned Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Ashley guides IWRBR's trauma-informed literacy initiatives across Louisville. Drawing on her experience in the classroom, her leadership at IWRBR Consulting, and her journey as a mother, she is dedicated to dismantling barriers to student success.
The Team Behind the Mission
Heart. Strategy. Community.
Meet the passionate team driving our day-to-day operations, supporting our educators, and empowering students across Louisville every single day.
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Chief Operating Officer
Sara Hannah
As COO, Sara brings structure, heart, and strategy to everything we do. A systems thinker with a teacher’s heart, she oversees program operations, HR, data, and finance—ensuring our multi-site programs run seamlessly with consistency, care, and mission-centered impact.
Director of Programming & Family Engagement
Heather Moss
With 27 years in educational leadership—including roles as a special education teacher, counselor, principal, and district administrator—Heather brings deep expertise to our team. A former IWRBR Board Member, she joined the Leadership Team in 2026 to oversee programming, family engagement, and AmeriCorps coordination.
Office Manager
Rhonda Ross
Rhonda is the operational heart of IWRBR. From managing daily schedules and finances to board prep and event logistics, she keeps our organization running smoothly behind the scenes. Her warmth, precision, and dedication ensure every detail is handled with care. She truly is the glue that holds our team together.
Volunteer Coordinator Intern
Alfonso Bartee
As Volunteer Coordinator Intern, Alfonso recruits, organizes, and supports our volunteers across all programs and events while building strong relationships with community partners. From rallying teams for Golf Scrambles to welcoming families at Lights on Main, his professionalism, positive spirit, and dedication help our community efforts thrive.
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Talitha Edwards
Drawing on her AmeriCorps service and background in public health, Talitha is dedicated to advancing health equity and student empowerment. Her energetic, community-centered approach helps expand outreach and support for Louisville families.
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Training and Curriculum Implementation Specialist
Spencer serves as our Training and Curriculum Implementation Specialist, guiding program design and staff training across all IWRBR sites. He works directly with our teams to ensure our Science of Reading and enrichment curricula are implemented with quality, consistency, and care.