In a world often divided by access and opportunity, Dr. Geetha Murali is building bridges—one book, one classroom, and one girl at a time. As the CEO of Room to Read, a global nonprofit devoted to ending illiteracy and gender inequality, she stands at the forefront of a transformative movement powered by the simple yet profound belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®.
Geetha Murali: A Personal Mission Rooted in Legacy
Born in New York to Indian immigrant parents, Dr. Murali’s story is deeply personal. Her mother narrowly escaped the fate of becoming a child bride—an experience that shaped Geetha’s lifelong dedication to education and empowerment. Unlike many in her extended family, she was raised in an environment with access to quality schooling and the freedom to pursue higher education. That early exposure to possibility laid the foundation for her mission today: ensuring every child, regardless of geography or gender, has the same shot at a brighter future.
A Journey Fueled by Purpose and Precision
With over 25 years of experience across the corporate and nonprofit sectors, Dr. Geetha Murali brings a rare blend of business acumen and heartfelt activism to the table. Her resume includes stints at GlaxoSmithKline and Chiron, along with transformative roles in educational technology with Adobe Youth Voices and the American India Foundation’s Digital Equalizer Program.
Her academic background is just as robust, holding a master’s in biostatistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and both a master’s and doctorate in South Asian politics from UC Berkeley. But it’s not just credentials that define her—it’s conviction. Her data-driven mindset and compassionate leadership have propelled Room to Read from a promising initiative into a global educational powerhouse.
From Manager to CEO: A Vision for Scalable Impact
When Dr. Geetha Murali joined Room to Read in 2009, it had a powerful mission but was still growing its global footprint. Through her visionary leadership, the organization has now expanded its reach to 28 countries, touching the lives of more than 50 million children. From building libraries and training educators to designing culturally relevant curricula, Room to Read has become synonymous with impact.
Under her stewardship, the organization has deployed over $850 million toward foundational learning, and its programs are now held up as gold standards in literacy and gender equality education. The Gates Foundation recognized Room to Read as a Goalkeepers Accelerator in Education, a nod to the organization’s scalable solutions and tangible outcomes.
Empowering Girls, Elevating Generations
For Dr. Geetha Murali, gender equality isn’t a talking point—it’s a life’s work. Two-thirds of the world’s 754 million illiterate adults are women. And yet, millions of girls still lack the basic resources to attend school. This reality fuels initiatives like Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program, which provides girls with life skills, mentorship, and the support they need to stay in school and succeed.
The program has garnered international attention, earning praise from former First Lady Michelle Obama and being highlighted by the Girls Opportunity Alliance as a sector-leading model. These accolades reflect Dr. Murali’s fierce belief that educating girls doesn’t just uplift individual lives—it transforms communities and catalyzes systemic change.
She Creates Change: Amplifying Voices Globally
True to her commitment to storytelling as a tool for social justice, Dr. Geetha Murali serves as Executive Producer of She Creates Change, a Webby Award-winning multimedia initiative that amplifies the voices of adolescent girls worldwide. By centering the experiences of those too often unheard, the project has become a cultural touchstone and a powerful advocacy platform.
Leading with Heart and Honor
Recognition has followed Dr. Geetha Murali’s relentless work. She has been named a CNBC Changemaker, honored as one of 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business, and listed among WIRED’s leaders shaping the next 25 years. Perhaps most uniquely, she was knighted by the King of Cambodia for her contributions to education—a rare honor that speaks volumes about the global impact of her mission.
Beyond awards, she continues to shape the future of leadership and inclusion. She’s a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), sits on the board of the Global Press Institute, and advises Neythri, a global network of South Asian professional women.
A Future Built on Literacy and Leadership
When Dr. Geetha Murali speaks at global forums—from BBC panels to CNBC interviews—her message is both simple and profound: “Once you’re able to read, the world opens up to you.” In this belief lies her strategy: invest in foundational skills, foster inclusive education, and let empowered children write the story of a better tomorrow.
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