READ USA – Coaching a Nonprofit Through Growing Pains

When READ USA transitioned from a founder-led startup to a high-growth literacy nonprofit, the leadership dynamics needed to shift—but navigating that change wasn’t easy. The new Executive Director needed coaching, and the founder (now board chair) needed support in stepping back. That’s where Wirth Works came in.

We provided executive onboarding, facilitated leadership meetings, and helped define clear boundaries between governance and management. With empathy and precision, we helped both leaders find their footing—developing 90-day plans, marketing templates, and foundational materials to support a smoother transition.

Though the initial placement ultimately didn’t work out, the groundwork laid by Wirth Works paved the way for a successful successor. The founder now thrives as a strategic leader, the CEO and his team have hit their stride, and READ USA continues to expand as a multimillion-dollar force for literacy and workforce development.