Geetha joined Room to Read in 2009 and has more than 25 years of diverse experience spanning both corporate and nonprofit sectors. She has worked with major pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Chiron, as well as with an array of initiatives in educational technology, including the Digital Equalizer Program (American India Foundation) and Adobe Youth Voices (Adobe Systems Incorporated).

Geetha’s leadership is deeply shaped by her personal journey—as the daughter of a potential child bride—along with her corporate expertise, academic background in quantitative and social sciences, and extensive community-based work. This unique background gives her a nuanced perspective on the socio-economic landscapes in which Room to Read operates, as well as the analytical rigor and business acumen required to be a leader in the literacy and gender equality movements.

As CEO, Geetha oversees 60 Room to Read offices and a global team of 1,200 staff—90% of whom are based in the countries the organization serves. She also mobilizes thousands of partners, board members, volunteers, and ambassadors, who along with her staff, form the global workforce driving Room to Read’s mission. Her commitment to measurable, scalable impact—through strong technical program design and operational excellence— has earned her recognition from former First Lady Michelle Obama. Both Let Girls Learn and the Girls Opportunity Alliance have highlighted Room to Read’s gender equality program as a model for the sector. Additionally, her work in scaling literacy programs— including curriculum and content development, educator training and coaching, as well as delivery structures, such as libraries—led to Room to Read being named a Gates Foundation Goalkeepers Accelerator in Education.

A prolific writer and speaker, Geetha is regularly invited to global forums to discuss social justice, large-scale education initiatives, public-private partnerships, and leadership. She has been featured in BBC, Bloomberg, ABC, CNBC, and The Times of India, offering insights on the global state of literacy and gender equality. Throughout her career, she has redefined the landscape of public-private partnerships, emerging as a thought leader in international fundraising, marketing, public relations, and social sector communications.

Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named a CNBC Changemaker on its inaugural list, one of 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business, and a WIRED leader shaping the next 25 years. She has also been knighted by the King of Cambodia for her contributions to education.

Geetha is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), serves on the board of directors for the Global Press Institute, and is a Founding Circle member and Social Impact Advisor for Neythri, a global network of South Asian professional women. She holds a master’s degree in biostatistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and master’s and doctorate degrees in South Asian politics from the University of California, Berkeley.