Geetha Murali

CEO, Room to Read

Dr. Geetha Murali is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Room to Read, a leading international education organization committed to the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children.® Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality—where every child has the opportunity to read, learn, and thrive. Geetha has been instrumental in driving the organization’s exponential growth, expanding its presence to 29 countries and positively benefiting more than 52 million children to date.

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 a global team of 1,200 staff and a broader network of more than 20,000 partners and volunteers. 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.