Dedicated to the success of all students
Meet the Team
Patricia Arvanitis
STRATEGIC ADVISOR
Patricia Arvanitis is a social impact strategist, trusted advisor, and education advocate who believes strong systems—and courageous leaders—are essential to ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed. As Strategic Advisor at Catch Up & Read, she supports organizational strategy and implementation, growth planning, and strategic initiatives that help strengthen confident readers and teachers across North Texas.
With more than 30 years of leadership experience, Patricia has built and supported innovative organizations that turn vision into meaningful, measurable results. Her work is grounded in a deep understanding across early childhood, early literacy, and K–12 education governance, with a focus on strategic growth, change management, and data-informed decision-making. At Catch Up & Read, Patricia helps the team strengthen its work, grow its impact, and stay focused on what matters most: helping children become confident readers.
She is deeply committed to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality instruction—and the opportunity to become a confident reader by 3rd grade.
Patricia’s favorite Catch Up & Read value is Collaboration because she believes meaningful and lasting change happens when people bring their strengths, perspectives, and shared commitment together on behalf of children. For Patricia, collaboration is what turns good ideas into stronger systems, deeper trust, and better outcomes for students, teachers, and communities.
Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis, enjoying friends and family, and cuddling with her puppy, Ginger. Her favorite book is 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Terry Averyt
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Terry Averyt, a Dallas native and graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, began her career in commercial real estate management, where she worked for over 20 years. She transitioned to the nonprofit sector in 2012, joining Catch Up & Read in its early stages. Initially serving as Program Director, Terry became Director of Operations in 2020. She brings extensive experience in financial management and customer service to her role, overseeing daily operations, implementing program strategies, managing personnel, and supporting the overall organizational infrastructure. Of Catch Up & Read’s core values, Terry most identifies with Commitment to Excellence. She believes that continually striving for the highest standards in every aspect of the organization is what enables Catch Up & Read to operate at its very best, ensuring staff, systems, and programs are positioned to make the greatest possible impact on students. Terry is motivated by the joy of witnessing students who once struggled with reading make significant progress. Outside of work, she enjoys exercising, playing pickleball, traveling internationally, and spending time with her family.
Martha Bujanda, M.Ed., M.B.A.
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC IMPACT
Martha Bujanda draws on her personal journey as an immigrant and former English language learner to advocate for educational equity. Born in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, she overcame early economic hardship before reuniting with her family in Dallas. Inspired by her family’s resilience, she pursued academic excellence through Texas public schools and holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Dallas, an M.Ed. from Southern Methodist University, and is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.
Martha began her 17-year career in Dallas ISD as a bilingual teacher. As a turnaround principal, she led schools to significant academic improvements, transforming campuses into models of success. She then served as director of LEAD, Dallas ISD’s principal development program. Today, she brings that same drive to Catch Up & Read, where she works to ensure every student has access to the education and support they need to thrive.
Jonathan Cambambia
BILINGUAL LITERACY COACH
Jonathan Cambambia is a dedicated educator with ten years of classroom experience. He earned his degree from Texas Tech University and brings a personal connection to his work as a former at-risk English language learner who struggled with reading. His journey has shaped his approach to teaching and coaching, allowing him to effectively support elementary and middle school students in achieving significant reading growth each year.
At Catch Up & Read, Jonathan is committed to ensuring that every child has access to the resources needed to read at grade level by third grade, setting them up for lifelong success. He is passionate about empowering students with confidence and equipping teachers with effective tools to support reading growth.
Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys reading, journaling, running, spending time with family and friends, and watching movies. He is currently reading The Song of Achilles. His favorite children’s books are Fantastic Mr. Fox and A Monster Calls. His favorite Catch Up & Read value is Continuous Learning, as he believes in fostering a growth mindset and embracing lifelong learning both personally and professionally.
Francisco Díaz
SENIOR LITERACY COACH & TESTING COORDINATOR
Francisco Diaz is a passionate Bilingual Literacy Coach committed to empowering teachers and students through evidence-based literacy practices and data-driven instruction. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Psychology from Sewanee: The University of the South and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Learning Analytics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
With more than eight years of experience in education across Chicago Public Schools and Dallas ISD, he specializes in early childhood education, mCLASS, and bilingual education. He is dedicated to helping students close achievement gaps while building confidence and fostering academic success through high-quality literacy instruction. He believes that meaningful collaboration with teachers is essential to student success. By partnering with educators, analyzing student data, co-planning instruction, and sharing evidence-based practices, he helps build teacher capacity and create consistent, high-quality learning experiences that positively impact student outcomes.
Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer and board games, where he continues to embody the spirit of Collaboration. Whether on the field, around the game table, or alongside teachers, he values teamwork, communication, and the collective effort needed to achieve shared goals.
Carol Pierce Goglia
PRESIDENT & CEO
Carol Pierce Goglia is an education advocate, community champion, and movement builder who believes that our country’s future depends on the success of our youngest learners. As President and CEO of Catch Up & Read, she leads a team dedicated to building confident readers and teachers across North Texas.
Before joining Catch Up & Read, Carol served as President and Strategic Impact Advisor at United to Learn, where she helped double the organization’s reach to 50 Dallas ISD elementary schools. Previously, she led marketing at Communities Foundation of Texas, overseeing communications efforts for the foundation and special initiatives like W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation’s grantmaking, Educate Texas and North Texas Giving Day, which grew from $5 million to $50 million under her leadership. Her work earned national and local recognition, including PR News’ Marketer of the Year and Communicator of the Year by CNM Connect.
Carol began her career in brand management and growth strategy at PepsiCo/Frito Lay. She holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. from Washington & Lee University.
Carol embraces each of Catch Up & Read’s values: Commitment to Excellence, Continuous Learning, Confidence, Collaboration and Celebration. Her favorite children’s book series include Magic Tree House and Encyclopedia Brown.
Morgan Hines
BILINGUAL LITERACY COACH
Morgan Hines is a skilled educator driven by the opportunity to help students gain confidence in their language skills and access the transformative power of words. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in International Studies and Political Science from the University of North Texas and was introduced to teaching through refugee service organizations.
With over a decade of experience teaching language arts and ESL in Houston, Dallas, North Africa, and Central America, she specializes in student-centered instruction, curriculum design, and second language acquisition.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and reading. Her favorite book is Anna Karenina. Morgan connects most with Catch Up & Read’s commitment to Continuous Learning because she believes there is always something to learn from people, from books, and from life.
Ayanna Jackson
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Ayanna Jackson, Director of Programs at Catch Up & Read, is deeply committed to educational equity and community empowerment. Raised in the Fair Park neighborhood of Dallas, her own experiences in public schools shaped her drive to uplift underserved students.
Ayanna holds a Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas, a Master's in Education Administration, and a Principal certification from Lamar University.
With over a decade of experience in Dallas ISD as both a teacher and instructional coach, Ayanna joined Catch Up & Read in 2023. Since then, she has led efforts that measurably improve student reading outcomes through innovative programming and meaningful community engagement.
Her leadership reflects a commitment to inclusion and academic excellence, ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Rachel Ladd
LITERACY COACH
Rachel Ladd is an experienced educator with a passion for nurturing young readers. She earned her degree from Texas Tech University and holds an EC-6 Alternative Certification. She has taught kindergarten through fifth grade, participated in ELAR summer programs, and served as a teacher with Catch Up & Read in Richardson ISD.
Rachel is driven by a desire to help each child grow at their own pace and develop the literacy skills needed to succeed in school and in life. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, playing sand volleyball, and attending concerts. One of her all-time favorite books is Thank You, Mr. Faulker by Patricia Polacco. Her work at Catch Up & Read is fueled by a love for Continuous Learning and student growth.
Catherine LeBlanc
FOUNDER
In early 2007, Catch Up & Read’s founder, Catherine LeBlanc, noticed while volunteering at an elementary school in Dallas that although students were attending school five days a week, the vast majority were falling behind reading on grade level. These students were often children of color or from underserved communities, a population facing compounded barriers to success from generational poverty and systemic racism.
Catherine engaged educational consultants who confirmed that most Dallas students could not read on grade level and pointed to extensive research identifying teachers as having the greatest impact on student achievement.
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Catherine writes:
Since 2009, Catch Up & Read has worked on developing the most innovative and effective ways to support educational reform in schools in North Texas.
By collaborating with teachers, principals and administrators, we are raising the bar on campus-wide instruction to meet the educational needs of every child for years to come.
We are a non-profit, community-funded organization that is transforming the lives of elementary students in Dallas and Fort Worth by equipping them to read on grade level by 3rd grade.
Our research-based literacy and social emotional intervention is led by dedicated educators, staff, and the support of parents. Our approach allows us to provide long-term improvements for students, teachers, and entire campuses resulting in equitable education for all children and lasting improvement for our public schools.
We are always looking for ways to improve and expand our reach. If you are looking for a meaningful way to contribute to our community, we would love your help. Please consider donating, volunteering, or signing up for our newsletter.
We are honored to partner with you to transform the lives of at-risk children.
Sincerely,
Catherine LeBlanc Founder
Diana Vargas Martinez
BILINGUAL LITERACY COACH
The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Diana was born and raised in the heart of Oak Cliff and is a proud Dallas ISD alumna. Spanish was her first language, and her passion for education led her to earn a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and become certified to teach Pre-K through 8th grade.
After a 30-year career with Dallas ISD, Diana retired as a bilingual educator and reading instructional coach. She spent 18 years teaching bilingual elementary students before serving as a reading instructional coach at Cowart Elementary for 12 years, where she mentored teachers and helped strengthen literacy instruction across her campus. She believes every child can succeed and is passionate about giving young learners the strong reading foundation they need to thrive.
Today, Diana is excited to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of children, teachers, and families through Catch Up & Read. Her favorite Catch Up & Read value is Continuous Learning because she believes we are all lifelong learners with endless opportunities to grow. Outside of work, Diana enjoys spending time with her family, going to the movies, listening to music, and dancing. Her favorite children's books have always been those by Eric Carle and Kevin Henkes, whose stories have inspired generations of young readers.
Cecilia Orta
BILINGUAL LITERACY COACH
Cecilia Orta is an Elementary Curriculum & Instruction specialist and Bilingual Literacy Coach with over 15 years of experience empowering educators and advocating for underserved communities. She holds a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a Bilingual Education Specialization from East Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Education from the University of North Texas, Denton. Cecilia began her career teaching in nearby DFW area districts before serving as a literacy interventionist and later as an instructional coach, where her passion for collaborating with teachers to expand opportunities for emergent bilingual and culturally diverse learners took root. She joined Catch Up & Read in 2025 and is most aligned with CAR's value of Collaboration, knowing that as partners we all share a responsibility in joining our talents and efforts to achieve our collective goal of equipping children to read on grade-level by the end of third grade. Cecilia sees literacy as one of the greatest tools we can give a child—opening doors to new worlds, ideas, and possibilities. When she's not championing literacy and educator development, Cecilia enjoys classes at The Bar Method, gardening, reading, cooking, and spending time with her loved ones.
Sonya Pegues
LITERACY COACH
Sonya Pegues has served as a Literacy Coach at Catch Up & Read since 2017. Prior to joining the organization, she taught in the Dallas Independent School District at Pleasant Grove and George Washington Carver Elementary Schools. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma.
Sonya finds deep meaning in her work, explaining: “When you teach a child to read, you are teaching them a way to learn that can ignite a lifelong passion for the love of learning. Though I no longer teach in the classroom, I like working at Catch Up & Read because it gives teachers and students the tools and resources they need to do the work they are both in the classroom to do. Catch Up & Read also helps level the playing field for students and catch them up to where they need to be.”
Outside of work, Sonya enjoys reading and is active in two book clubs. Her favorite children’s book is The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander. She also enjoys beading jewelry, completing jigsaw puzzles, and traveling to sunny destinations.
Nini Phan
COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT ASSOCIATE
Nini Phan blends creativity with purpose—crafting engaging visuals, refining brand messaging, and bringing Catch Up & Read’s mission to life. She holds a B.A. in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communications from UT Dallas, with a focus on Critical Media Studies. With experience in graphic design, branding, and writing, she is passionate about creating content that makes a meaningful impact.
Nini finds joy in using her creative talents to support the work of Catch Up & Read, where literacy transforms the lives of children and teachers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, solving word puzzles, cooking, listening to music, and exploring local coffee shops. She’s currently reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt. Her favorite Catch Up & Read value is Collaboration, because she believes the best ideas come from working together.
David Schaefers
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Rev. David Schaefers is deeply committed to strengthening public education, advancing early literacy, and promoting educational equity for all students. With expertise in organizational strategy, communication, volunteer management, and donor development, David secures vital funding through grants and individual gifts. His work reflects a global perspective, having built partnerships with diverse communities both locally and abroad.
Ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA since 2008, David brings a deep sense of mission to his role. He holds a B.A. in History from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.Div. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Before joining Catch Up & Read, David served congregations in Austin, Charleston, and Richardson, and has held leadership roles on regional church councils and international partnerships.
Inspired by his family’s journey with dyslexia, David believes that reading unlocks both joy and opportunity. His favorite books include The Hobbit, Walden, and The Gospel of John (which he can read in Koine Greek). His work at Catch Up & Read is guided by the value of Confidence, rooted in his belief that students thrive when empowered as readers—and that teachers excel when equipped with the tools, experience, and data to drive meaningful learning outcomes. David also serves on the Board of Trustees for Mo-Ranch Camp and Conference Center in Hunt, Texas, and enjoys spending time with his family.
Sydney Song
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Sydney Song is a Development Associate committed to advancing literacy, uplifting underrepresented voices, and creating space for individuals who are often left out of traditional systems. As the daughter of immigrants and a proud native of McAllen, Texas, a culturally rich border town, she brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to her work in education and nonprofit development. Sydney holds both a Master of International Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Texas A&M University, where she cultivated a strong foundation in international development, education policy, and public service. Her experience at USAID sharpened her understanding of the systemic barriers that communities face and deepened her commitment to equity and access. In her current role, she focuses on donor engagement, grant writing, and strategic communications, helping a mission-driven organization grow its impact through thoughtful storytelling and relationship-building. Sydney believes that education is a powerful catalyst for change and is driven by a desire to ensure that all children, regardless of background, have the opportunity to thrive. Guided by her favorite core value, Continuous Learning, she embraces every opportunity to expand her perspective, learn from others, and grow in ways that allow her to better serve the communities she works alongside.
Melba Whitehead
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Melba Whitehead brings organization, reliability, and a solutions-focused approach to her role as Administrative Assistant at Catch Up & Read. With over 10 years of experience supporting executive teams across organizations like the City of Dallas, Samsung HVAC, and Lennox Industries, she enjoys keeping things organized and helping her team stay on track.
Currently pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science, Melba enjoys finding smarter, more efficient ways to get things done and support her team. She takes pride in being someone others can rely on and is passionate about contributing to a mission that helps children become confident readers.
In her free time, Melba enjoys listening to music, and her favorite book is The Alchemist. She most resonates with the Catch Up & Read value of Continuous Learning because she believes there is always something new to discover and ways to grow both personally and professionally.
Our Board of Directors
BRIAN HALL, Chair
EVP Finance, Hanover Property Company
SEAN ALLEN
Owner, FastSigns
STEPHEN BARNES
Principal, Barnes Real Estate Investments
VICENTE GARCIA, Treasurer
Finance Executive, Former PepsiCo, Former Bilingual Teacher
SUZY GEKIERE
Community Volunteer, Crystal Charity Ball
CAROL PIERCE GOGLIA
President & CEO, Catch Up & Read
ANGELICA LEVERONI GOMEZ
Sr. Program Officer, Schusterman Philanthropies
ANN KIGHT
Professor, Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education, SMU
MICHAEL KONRADI
Chief Marketing Officer, Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
CATHERINE LEBLANC
Founder, Catch Up & Read
GABRIELA NORTON
President & CEO, People Performances Resources
REO PRUIETT, Ed.D., Vice Chair
Chief Programs & Engagement Officer of Educate Texas, Communities Foundation of Texas
ERIC REEVES
Managing Director, High STEPS, LLC
JASON SANDERS, Board Secretary
Founding Member, Sanders Collins LLP
WILLIAM TOLES
Attorney, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
DINA VASQUEZ
Speech Language Pathologist, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
Our Advisory Board
RICHARD EISEMAN, Chair
CEO, Eiseman Jewels
DORETHA ALLEN, Ed.D., NBCT
School Design Administrator, Garland ISD
NANCY BERNARDINO, Ed.D.
Associate Superintendent, Dallas ISD
BRENDA BUSCH
VP of Operations, Finance, Marketing & HR, Lakewood Brewing Company
JULIE DIAZ
President & CEO, The Dallas Foundation
BOB DRANSFIELD
Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright, LLP
TOM DUNNING
Chairman & CEO, Lockton Benefits
LINDA PERRYMAN EVANS
Former President & CEO, The Meadows Foundation
ELIZABETH GAMBRELL
Civic Leader
JUDY GIBBS
Civic Leader
SALLY HOGLUND
Civic Leader
CHELSEA JEFFERY
Chief Regional Impact Officer, EC-12, The Commit Partnership
RANDY KELLEY
Former Senior Partner & Director, Spencer Stuart
DICK LEBLANC
President, Hanover Property Company
JAY MCAULEY
VP of Strategic Relationships, True North Advisors
DEBORAH (DEBBIE) OATES
Civic Leader
ANGIE PARRA
Executive Director, Requisite Capital Management
KEN SANDSTAD
President, The Sandstad Group
MEG SARTAIN
Founder, Sartain Partners
CAROL VIG
Founder, Carol Vig Photography
ROBERTA WILLIAMSON
Civic Leader
LINUS WRIGHT
Former Under Secretary of Education
SALLY LYONS WYATT
Global EVP & Chief Advisor Consumer Goods & Foodservice Insights, Circana
Our Data Council
NANCY BERNARDINO, Ed.D., ChairAssociate Superintendent, Dallas ISD
SANDRA BARRIOS, Ed.D.Executive Director, Dallas ISD
ERICA FOWLERAnalytics Consultant, Good Insights
JUSTIN HASSANDirector of Curriculum and Instruction, Uplift Education
ANN KIGHTProfessor, Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education, SMU
KRISTIN KUHNE, MPA, Ph.D.MPA, Ph.D. The Educator Collective
LISA LOVATO, Ed.D.
Chief Schools Officer, Cityscape Schools
MAGDALENA PANDO
Associate Professor, SMU
LORENA TULE-ROMAIN
Co-Founder & COO, ImmSchools
KRISTEN WATKINS
Director of Personalized Learning, Akiba Yavneh Academy