CO-DIRECTOR

Jen loves literacy, service projects, and education. She believes a love of books makes life more joyful, and she wants to share that with kids. As a former fourth—and fifth-grade teacher, she knows reading struggles put obstacles in education. Her goal is to make literacy more accessible to all kids. She believes this starts with early literacy, with lots of language and engagement. Her goal is to make it easy for families to read to their kids by having awesome, current books in the places they frequent.

CO-DIRECTOR

Erica is a dedicated educator and literacy advocate with over 20 years of experience inspiring children to discover the joy of reading. She has played a key role in growing the organization from a grassroots effort into a thriving citywide initiative that continues to expand its impact. She believes every child deserves access to meaningful, high-quality literacy experiences—and works to make that a reality. Erica combines deep expertise in reading development and children’s literature with a strong commitment to equitable literacy access.

She holds a Master’s degree in Reading, Writing, and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Secondary Education and English from Villanova University. Erica has also pursued advanced training through Harvard’s Project Zero and the Orton-Gillingham approach.

BOARD CHAIR

Meredith is an experienced elementary educator and Alexandria native, graduating from T. C. Williams High School in 2006 (Go Titans!). She taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade in ACPS and currently coordinates reading intervention programs for 1st and 2nd graders and serves on the Children, Youth, and Family Collaborative Commission for the City of Alexandria.

She brings to the board a wealth of knowledge around literacy and community engagement, as well as a passion for growing the love of reading and increasing access to great books across Alexandria.

VICE CHAIR

Meta brings years of experience leading programs that support and celebrate educators, while helping build strong connections in communities. She’s worked across nonprofits and media to create family engagement resources, manage digital content, and tell stories that make an impact. A longtime advocate for kids’ education and well-being, Meta has served as president of both a school PTA and the citywide PTA council in Alexandria, where she still volunteers to support local families. She’s all about collaboration, making things easier for others, and ensuring programs truly meet the needs of the people they’re designed to serve. A mom and wife living in Alexandria, Meta is passionate about literacy and helping communities grow stronger through education.

BOARD MEMBER

Maren Hoover is a dynamic leader with over 30 years of experience in education and association management. As Digital Workplace Manager at the American Academy of Otolaryngology, she leads innovative tech solutions for hybrid workspaces. With a passion for learning and development, Maren brings valuable expertise in curriculum design, training program implementation, and strategic planning to InspireLit's board. Her education leader and teacher background, most recently at West Potomac High School, where she led initiatives in social emotional learning and cultural proficiency, aligns perfectly with InspireLit's mission to make literary resources accessible to diverse communities.

She holds a Master’s in Teaching from George Mason University and a B.A. in Social Studies Education from St. Olaf College. A native of Alexandria, Maren lives in the City with her family.

BOARD MEMBER

BOARD MEMBER

TREASURER

BOARD MEMBER

Sarah is passionate about building strong communities through education, connection, and service. With over a decade of experience in teaching, recruiting, and community engagement, she brings a unique mix of heart and strategy to everything she does. Sarah currently works as a Recruiting Coordinator at United Way Worldwide and volunteers with the Junior League of Northern Virginia, where she helps lead initiatives focused on supporting women and families. A former elementary school teacher and lifelong book lover, Sarah is excited to join the Inspire Lit board and help spark a love of reading in children by increasing access to books and literacy resources.