Maria Murray, president and CEO of The Reading League, named Central New York Nonprofit executive of the year

SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Maria Murray, Ph.D, president and chief executive officer of The Reading League, or TRL, has been named nonprofit executive of the year by the CNY Business Journal. The award recognizes Murray's leadership, vision, and profound impact as a national proponent of evidence-aligned reading instruction.

The 18th CNY Business Journal Nonprofit Awards, presented by M&T Bank, will be held at noon on March 26 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Syracuse. The event recognizes nine leaders or organizations that make a positive difference in Central New York.

Guided by her belief that reading is a civil right, Murray has overseen the growth of TRL from its beginnings at her kitchen table to its evolution into a transformative national organization. Her commitment to advancing the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-aligned reading instruction has influenced systemic change in education policy. Today, 40 states and the District of Columbia have changed literacy policies to align with the science of reading, a vast interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing.

"Maria is a visionary leader who has dedicated her career to transforming literacy education and advocating for every child's right to read," said Stephanie Finn, TRL board chairman. "Her unwavering commitment to the science of reading and her ability to inspire others has positioned The Reading League as a national force for positive change. We couldn't be more proud of her well-deserved recognition."

Under Murray's leadership, TRL has achieved remarkable growth in less than a decade, with nearly 40 state chapters, more than 30 passionate staff members, and a nationally recognized conference that attracts over 2,500 attendees worldwide.

"It is truly an honor to present Maria with this award," said Jill Allen, director of BizEventz for the CNY Business Journal. "Her leadership has not only shaped The Reading League into the powerhouse it is today, but it has also made a significant difference in the lives of students and educators across the country. Maria's vision and impact are immeasurable, and we proudly celebrate her accomplishments."

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About The Reading League
The Reading League aims to increase stakeholder knowledge of evidence-aligned approaches to teaching reading and research that demystifies how people learn to read. We train and support educators and school leaders. We believe that all children deserve to learn to read, and all teachers can learn to teach them. For more information, visit thereadingleague.org.

SOURCE The Reading League