Meet the Team
Founder & Board President
Ali Martin
RFC started with the idea that if you equip children with the skill of reading, their life will be setup for success. The dream started in a small coffee shop in Troy, OH and I am so moved that we are still making a difference in the lives of students in the community to this day. From quickly outgrowing our first space within a year, to now having served thousands of students over the years in our now 8,000 Sq. Ft. space , RFC is a game changer. My passion has and always will be for students who are full of potential but are often not reached because they simply aren’t given the skills to thrive. I believe RFC sets our students up for success to not only thrive in and out of the classroom today, but tomorrow as well. We have been developing readers AND leaders for over 8 years now and our dreams of reaching more students are only getting bigger!
I currently live in Nashville with my husband, Ethan, and our four kiddos. When I started RFC I was an elementary school teacher and reading interventionist, but now raise my kids and help continue guide RFC’s direction and mission on a weekly basis. It is one of my greatest honors to be part of something so unique and special as Reading for Change. I am so thankful for the the volunteers, teachers and students who have made RFC what it is over all these years. We are seeing some of our first students become students leaders today, and that is a full circle moment that I am forever grateful for.
Executive Director
Amy Niemi
Amy comes to Reading for Change with a background as both an entrepreneur and educator. Amy graduated from Taylor University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and has had the opportunity to work as a local business owner as well as with students and teachers in a variety of K-8 settings. She has been a classroom teacher, Title 1 Reading Teacher and Reading Specialist. Her goal is to create meaningful literacy experiences through an environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and kindness. Amy is a mother of four and enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and being in nature. Amy was drawn to RFC because she loves the way this program supports students, teachers, and families. She is committed to sharing her passion for literacy with the RFC community because she believes that reading is the gateway that makes all other learning possible and is truly the way to change the world.
Co-Founder & Board Member
Ethan Martin
Ali and I kicked off RFC back in 2015, fueled by Ali's unstoppable drive to empower students with literacy and life skills. While Ali rocked the frontline, I hustled behind the scenes, juggling operations and drumming up funds. Seeing RFC blossom and touch the lives of countless students in Troy has been an absolute blast!
Now, we're living it up in Franklin TN with our fantastic squad of four kiddos! Professionally, I specialize in Sales and Leadership consulting, where I love helping people elevate their impact at work and build enduring results. Guiding people towards building a life they love is what drives every day.
I'm thrilled to be back on the RFC board. I'm ready to inject some fun and forward momentum into our journey as we chart a course toward even more awesomeness. Let's rock this, RFC crew!
Board Member
Nicole Brown
Education and literacy are very important to me and I've always felt drawn to helping others learn. Reading For Change has been such a great program and it's been amazing to witness, firsthand, the positive impact that our program has had on the kiddos in our community. What I love the most about RFC is the ability that the program has to instill confidence and a sense of accomplishment in the kids, and I'm grateful to be a part of it, which I've done since the beginning of the program. I've been a Troy resident for over 30 years now, and as a mom and now grandma, I am so thankful that programs like Reading For Change are available to our community to help cultivate a love for reading and nurture a passion for learning. As VP of the Board, I will continue to support RFC and invest in the kiddos that we get to serve in our program.
Board Member
Justin Lopez
I was born and raised in Miami County, Ohio (West Milton) where I gained a passion for the law from my father and esteemed attorney, Jose Lopez. After high school I spent seven years at the Ohio State University where I attained my bachelor’s degree in political science in 2009 and my Juris Doctorate in 2012. I began my career as an attorney with the firm of Lopez, Severt & Pratt L.P.A. where I was able to work in a wide array of practice areas including bankruptcy, business and other civil litigation, domestic relations, criminal, real estate, probate, and collections law, amongst others.nI was introduced to Reading for Change by Ali and Ethan Martin during my time with Lopez, Severt & Pratt and eagerly accepted their offer to join the board of Reading for Change in 2016. Despite no longer residing in Miami County, I have remained a board member of Reading for Change because I believe strongly in its mission and its outsized positive impact on its students and the Troy Community at-large. I currently reside in Beavercreek, Ohio with my schoolteacher wife, Ashley, and three young children, daughter Mallory, son Jagger, and daughter Ella Kate. In my spare time I enjoy golf, live music, politics, reading and running.
Board Member
Carla Klosterman
My name is Carla Klosterman and I have been involved with RFC from day one. I have 3 daughters and 5 grandchildren. All of my daughters and one granddaughter have dealt with reading difficulties. I was blessed to have many people that helped me along the way with my girls in their journey to become confident readers. In 2015 I saw a post asking for help leveling books for a reading program. I offered to help and that was the start of the best volunteer opportunity I've ever had. It was a chance to offer what I learned along the way as a parent to the kids that need help now. My passion for this program has now grown beyond volunteering to a position on the board. It is a tremendous honor to be able to serve at this level.
Board Member
Robin Oda
Robin Oda has been a charter member of the RFC board since 2015.
"I love RFC for its mission, what it has accomplished, and how it serves the community. Seeing it grow from its beginning has been amazing and inspirational."
Robin is currently the Mayor of the City of Troy and loves representing the city in a multitude of ways.
She and her husband, Scott, have lived in Troy since 1997, raising their three children here. They are now enjoying their adult children, their spouses and six grandchildren, who are spread out in Wilmington, DE, North Chicago, IL and Batesville, IN.
Board Member
Megan Garity
When I first started homeschooling, I realized one of my sons needed additional help with reading. At first, I felt so overwhelmed, but then a friend shared about Reading for Change. I immediately got him enrolled and a weight was lifted off my shoulders. He was learning at home but also receiving additional support from RFC and that made such a difference! I now have two sons attending RFC and they look forward to each session! I’m grateful for the impact RFC has had on my own family and all those that it serves.
Board Member
Chris Garrity
Serving in the United States Marine Corps instilled in me an everlasting duty to serve in the community in which I live, long after my time on active duty. It was this calling that led me to the area in which I felt I would have a major impact - Financial Services. I truly enjoy connecting with people to help make their goals a reality. Marines are trained to improvise, adapt, and overcome any obstacle in any situation. This training has allowed me to accept the challenge of finding gaps within financial strategies and to navigate through to help find solutions to make my clients financial lives better. Serving on the Board of Trustees of Reading For Change is another way I give back. As a father of two, it has been a joy watching my children grow through the years. Giving my time to RFC over the past several years has afforded me the opportunity to watch other children grow, as well. I am so proud of the work RFC does to help children not only with reading, but with their character growth.
Board Member
Maryn Klosterman
With an MBA in Marketing from the University of Dayton, I bring a blend of expertise to the Reading for Changes board. Growing up with reading challenges, I struggled to find inspiration in reading for both leisure and academics. However, after encountering the right educators and books, I discovered numerous new worlds within literacy. This experience ignited my passion for empowering young minds through literacy. I am dedicated to expanding the program's reach and ensuring every child has access to the joys of reading.
Volunteer
Jennifer Haddad
Hello! I am Jennifer Haddad and I absolutely love serving at Reading for Change! I graduated from Taylor University and received my Master’s Degree from Wright State in Reading Instruction. I taught elementary school for eight years, both at Newton Elementary and Troy Christian Elementary, before staying home to raise my four children. I volunteer at Reading for Change because of the the amazing children that I have built relationships with. RFC focuses on reading, but also on character development, and it is a joy for me to see the growth in both areas. I look forward to RFC each week!
Volunteer
Amanda Jackson
Amanda started volunteering monthly with Reading for Change in the fall of 2023. She loves helping RFC kiddos grow in confidence and wants them to know how loved they are. She also specializes in doing silly voices during reading time!
Volunteer
Miss Linda
I’m Miss Linda and I have volunteered at RFC for about three years. I worked for Troy Schools as a library lady at Van Cleve and Forest Schools and also at the Troy & Pleasant Hill libraries. My goal has always been helping children learn and discover the joy of reading! It opens their world!
Volunteer
Mary Beth George
My name is Mary Beth and I have volunteered at Reading For Change for several years. I love giving my time for something I believe in very strongly … literacy. I find it very gratifying to see children work to achieve the dream of becoming a good reader, knowing that I can teach them a few things to help them on their journey. Reading opens doors for all people. It helps in being able to truly understand the world around us. RFC has developed a ministry to help children ready and succeed and at the same time fosters them to become good, caring people. Our volunteers are kind and I enjoy working with all of them in this safe place of learning.
Volunteer
Candy Lindeman "Miss Candy"
My name is Candy Lindeman or Miss Candy to the students at Reading for Change. I have been volunteering here since the beginning. I am retired from Troy Christian Schools. I was a Technology Coordinator there for 32 years. I help at RFC with their computer program which is Raz-Kids. The students love getting on the computers. They are reading all kinds of books, then the book is read to them and then the student answers questions about what they have read. I love being a part of such a great program for the students that need just a little more one on one time with tutors that can help them to read better. To see all their smiling faces and to hear their laughter is such a joy each time I help out.
Volunteer
Erin Thomas
My name is Erin Thomas and I started volunteering in the past year after my daughter completed a project with RFC. I love seeing the progress in the student's reading skills and enjoy getting to know them. It is such a welcoming and supportive environment for the kid's growth and I am so happy to be a part of this wonderful and impactful community organization.
Volunteer
Lindsay Vincent
Hello! My name is Lindsay Vincent, and I recently started volunteering at Reading for Change. I graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Nutritional Sciences, but I soon realized my passion for teaching. I earned my M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University and an M.S. in Reading Education from the University of North Dakota. I taught Kindergarten for five years, first in South Dakota, then in California, before moving to Ohio. My husband serves in the Air Force, so we have lived in various states, but I am excited to call Ohio home for now! Currently, I am a Reading Specialist in the Piqua City School District. This year, I have been working towards earning a C-SLDI certification (Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist) through the International Dyslexia Association. I am looking forward to volunteering at Reading for Change and working with many outstanding students to help grow their reading abilities.
Volunteer
Diane Webb
I have worked many jobs but my favorite was Office Manager at Troy Christian Schools where the students gave me the name, "Mama Webb". I love working with kids and watching them begin to excel and love reading.
Volunteer
"Miss Annie" Stover
We are so excited to welcome AnnaMarie Stover to the RFC team! With a passion for literacy, "Miss Annie" brings a wealth of knowledge to our team.
Volunteer
Diane Lyons
As a former teacher, Diane joins RFC to share her passion for reading with our students. "My hope would be to inspire our students and find joy and curiosity in reading and celebrate their strides and improvement".
Volunteer
Emily Brittan
With a degree in Elementary Education, Emily is one of the newest members of the RFC team. When she isn't volunteering at RFC, Emily spends time with her one year old, Harper, going to Grace Baptist youth group events (where her husband is the youth pastor) and spending time outside.
Director of Marketing
Lauren Beers
With over a decade of experience in marketing and communications, Lauren joins RFC as our Director of Marketing. She brings a passion for storytelling and a strategic mindset to the role, ensuring that every campaign resonates with the community and amplifies the impact of RFC’s work. As the mother of two, Lauren’s belief in the transformative power of reading inspires her daily. Born and raised in Chicago, Lauren now calls Franklin, TN home. Outside of work Lauren enjoys cooking, traveling, volunteering (she is her daughter’s Girl Scout troop leader) and pilates.
Volunteer
Lynne Kershner
Lynne joins RFC with over two decades of teaching experience. As a Title I Reading teacher, Lynne is excited to share her passion for reading with her students. When she isn't volunteering, Lynne enjoys scrapbooking, reading and watching Hallmark movies.
Volunteer
Lara Hartman
With an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Education (Reading emphasis), Lara has been a part of the RFC team for almost four years. "RFC is a joyful and energetic environment which is rewarding for the volunteers and fun for the children."
Volunteer
Becky Lawrence
With a background in education (she taught English and French at TCHS), Becky joins RFC as a volunteer where she has the opportunity to share her love of reading with our students. When she is not at RFC, Becky enjoys reading, sewing and volunteering with Global Mission Outreach where she takes part in missionary work in French-speaking countries.