Susan A. McLean

Executive Director of Literacy Partners, Inc.

Susan A. McLean is the Executive Director of Literacy Partners, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that has been providing free literacy classes to adult New Yorkers for nearly 40 years. Susan joined Literacy Partners in January 2003. She is a member of the Public Policy Committee of ProLiteracy and previously served on its National Governance Board and Nominations Committee. Susan is a member of BOOKEXPO AMERICA’s NY Book + Media Week. The committee is tasked with engaging all forms of publishing, media, film and other entertainment to create a variety of professional and public events which celebrates New York City as the center of publishing and content creation. The committee works closely with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. She was one of the first adult literacy professionals in the United States to complete the prestigious Leadership Excellence Academy and receive national certification through the National Adult Education Professional Consortium and ProLiteracy. Susan served as President of the New York Association for Continuing/Community Education and was on the NYACCE Executive Board and Board of Directors for ten years. She was a National Trainer for Teachers of Literacy for Adults with Learning Disabilities, and was on the Professional Review Board for, Perspectives: The New York Journal of Adult Learning, published by Fordham University. Susan served as Kate Winslet’s literacy expert for her Academy Award winning performance in the 2008 film, The Reader. Most recently, Susan was a participant/contributor to the Summit on New York Education and is a member of the National Leadership Excellence Academy.

Prior to joining Literacy Partners, Susan administered adult literacy programs through various Supervisory School Districts, encompassing 24 school districts for a period of 16 years. She administered all aspects of adult literacy services, including Adult Basic Education, High School Equivalency, English for Speakers of Other Languages, Family Literacy and Workforce Preparation in the Rochester, NY area. In earlier positions she worked as a consultant grant writer, coordinated a Regional Alternative High School, and provided high school academic intervention services.

Susan received her MS Ed. in Education Administration with distinction from the State University of New York at Brockport, and her BS in Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the State University College of New York at Buffalo.

 

David E. Nathanson

Director of Finance and Human Resources of Literacy Partners, Inc.

David E. Nathanson is the Director of Finance and Human Resources for Literacy Partners, Inc. David joined Literacy Partners in March, 2004.

David has been working in the not-for-profit sector since 1991, serving for nine years as the Vice President of Finance and Administration for Israel Humanitarian Foundation. Previous to that, David held a position on the finance staff of the American Society for Technion, the leading American organization promoting education in science and technology as well as scientific innovation and entrepreneurship in Israel.

David is a member of the National Committee on Planned Giving and the Planned Giving Group of Greater New York. David received his BS in Accounting from Farleigh Dickinson University

 

Alexa Bonilla

Director of Education of Literacy Partners, Inc.

Alexa Bonilla is the Director of Education for Literacy Partners, Inc. She joined Literacy Partners in February, 2003.

Alexa has more than ten years of experience in the education field and has been involved in the not-for-profit sector for close to 15 years. Her love for education and her dedication to nonprofit organizations first led her to Teach for America. As part of that program, she was a Bilingual Teacher at Theodore Roosevelt Gathings Middle School in the Bronx. Realizing that education is the best way to serve the needs of parents, children, and communities, Alexa decided to bring her passion for teaching to the adult education field with Literacy Partners. During her tenure, she has served as a Family Literacy Coordinator, a Tutor Training Instructor, and as the Associate Director of Education.

Alexa received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Cornell University.

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