Literacy Connects Announces Addition to Board of Directors
TUCSON, AZ—(Literacy Connects) Welcomes the appointment of four new members to the organizations’ board of directors, effective July 1, 2020. Joining the board are Dr. Soungeon (Sunny) Bae, Dr. Amy Beiter, Jessica Ell, and Susan Petrus.
“Literacy Connects is very excited that we have several new members joining our board. What every one of them has in common is a wonderful connection to some vital part of the Tucson community, ranging from medicine to education to local businesses and professional organizations, said Tim Henry, Literacy Connects board char. “The breadth of their backgrounds is matched by their commitment to the mission of Literacy Connects. They have big shoes to fill left by our departing board members, but there is no doubt they will meet the challenge and be an important part of Literacy Connects continued growth and success.”
Dr. Soungwon (Sunny) Bae
Dr. Sunny Bae grew up in Potomac, Maryland, and received her BS in Biology from the University ofPittsburgh at Johnstown, PA. She then went to the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Yale University/Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut. Dr. Bae worked for the Indian Health Service on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation near Globe, Arizona, before moving to Tucson.
Dr. Amy Beiter
With more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Amy Beiter, is well respected for her progressive leadership and strong knowledge of complex health care systems. Dedicated to the Southern Arizona community, Dr. Beiter serves as TMC Vice President of Medical Affairs and has donated her time and efforts to support many nonprofit and charitable organizations. She is a past board director for the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona American Heart Association, Arizona Health Information Exchange, and numerous others.
Dr. Beiter earned a Bachelor of Science at Purdue University and received her medical degree from Indiana University. She also holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management. She is board-certified in internal medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Jessica Ell
Originally from Indiana, Jessica Ell has called Tucson home for nearly ten years. She is currently the Marketing Director at NuPoint Marketing, having previously worked in various fields including real estate, insurance, and nonprofit. She is a graduate of Indiana University, where she studied English and Political Science.
Susan Petrus
As a co-owner and Project Manager at Kittle Design and Construction for the past 20 years, Susan has enjoyed building relationships with Tucson nonprofits through construction projects. As a member of the AZ Builders Alliance (ABA), Susan helped to organize the ABA Volunteer Day project at Literacy Connects in 2017. Through planning for this event, her interest in the work of the organization grew, and she volunteered as a Reading Seed coach for two years. She has recently entered into training to become a teacher in the English Language Acquisition for Adults program and looks forward to helping promote literacy for all in our community!
About Literacy Connects
Literacy Connects is a volunteer-driven Tucson nonprofit serving over 55,000 children and adults annually through literacy and arts programming that create solutions to many of society’s most persistent problems. From reducing unemployment and poverty to increasing economic growth and opportunity, Literacy Connects strengthens Tucson and together we turn the page to a brighter future!Our wide variety of programs are unified in achieving transformational learning through joyous student-centered relationships and a strength-based approach. We know building skills is critical, but long-term success also depends on shifting attitudes and behaviors. When people come to identify as learners, readers, writers, creatives, and empowered citizens, their resilience increases along with opportunities to help themselves and others. As the premier literacy hub of Southern AZ, we connect individuals and groups from across the community to work together for long-term social impact.
Press Contact
Christina Flores
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
