Meet the United Through Reading Team
Sally Ann Zoll, Ed.D., Chief Executive Officer
As the multifaceted leader of United Through Reading, Sally serves as the chief guardian and spokesperson for the organization’s vision and mission, builds and sustains relationships with stakeholders and partners, and leads programs, finances, and internal team. In her distinguished career, Sally’s values for education are always evident. She has a doctorate in educational leadership and management, a master’s degree in special education from the University of San Diego and a BA in elementary education from Purdue University. From her first position as an elementary school teacher to her present leadership role, Sally has integrated her knowledge of education and educational technology with her talents for building and leading organizations of all sizes in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Sally is an Army spouse of 28 years and her son, an Army reservist, is currently serving in Afghanistan on his second active-duty deployment.
Kara Dallman, MBA, Sr. Director for Operations
Kara leads a staff of ten Program Managers who work directly with the Department of Defense service branches, military medical facilities serving Wounded Warriors, program partners like the USO, and with volunteers and representatives of other emerging initiatives to provide training and support to those offering our program in the field. Kara also serves as the staff liaison to the Technology and Strategic Planning Committees of the organization’s Board of Trustees. Kara has six years of nonprofit management experience at United Through Reading, and in 2008, after serving 12 years on active duty and eight years as a reservist, she retired from the Navy as a Commander. The highlight of her career was being mobilized in 2001 with the 31st Naval Construction Regiment in Port Hueneme, CA. A proud Navy spouse of 20 years, Kara earned a BA from The College of the Holy Cross and an MBA from San Diego State University.
Kate Wheeler, MA, Sr. Director for Development and Strategic Alliances
Kate leads the program support staff and works closely with United Through Reading’s Development and Communications Committee and its Board of Trustees to plan and direct program support operations including resource development, data management, outreach, communication and strategic alliances with other nonprofits, corporations and funders. Kate has 18 years of experience in the nonprofit arena. Before joining United Through Reading, Kate served as Executive Director for a community nonprofit in Aspen, Colorado for four years and then worked as an independent consultant for nearly ten years, helping diverse nonprofit organizations meet their development and strategic goals. Kate holds an MA in Nonprofit Leadership from the University San Diego and a BA in econometrics from University of Northern Colorado.
Program Delivery
Suzan Caughlan, National Program Manager, Marines
Suzan trains and supports U. S. Marine Corps Commands in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Marine Expeditionary Forces and 4th Marine Division to implement the United Through Program in the field. After earning a BA from University of West Florida, she became credentialed in special education and devoted ten years to her career as a special education teacher. As a military spouse, she has worked with Marine Corps families for more than 30 years as a volunteer for family support and networking groups.
Kristin Driscoll, Director of National Engagement
Kristin manages United Through Reading’s National Engagement efforts and is working toward creation of a sustainable work corps of volunteers and the organizational infrastructure to support them. Following a career in business process definition, project and program management, and systems design, she now dedicates her time and energy in support of military families. In the past ten years, she has provided oversight of volunteer programs for numerous military and educational nonprofits. Kristin holds an MBA from the University of Central Florida and, as a recipient of a FINRA Military Spouse Fellowship, she is an Accredited Financial Counselor.
Kristen E. Hewlett, National Program Manager, Navy/ West Coast
Kristen facilitates the expansion, establishment, and support of United Through Reading programs for the Navy, Pacific Fleet. She has over 15 years of experience in operations, finance, business analysis, and project management. Previously, Kristen was a member of the executive management team for a nonprofit dedicated to children’s internet safety and educational initiatives, and prior to that, spent 10 years in the finance industry as a financial analyst, strategic advisor, and human resources consultant. Kristen holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Texas A&M. She is a Navy spouse of 17 years.
Wimberly Kneisler, National Program Manager, Navy/East Coast
Wimberly trains and supports Navy units on the East Coast as National Program Manager for the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. Wimberly was an elementary educator, and her passion for military culture, strong family ties and education provides a strong foundation for her commitment to deployed service members and their families. She has been a military spouse for over 30 years.
Melissa Malloy, National Program Manager, Army
Melissa trains and supports U.S. Army units, and works to increase awareness of United Through Reading throughout the Army. A graduate of Florida State University with a BA in Hospitality Administration with emphasis in Business, she has worked for large corporations in management, marketing and sales. As an Army spouse of sixteen years, Melissa lived overseas while her husband was stationed in Brunssum, Netherlands.
Marge Nordman, Regional Program Manager, Hawaii
Marge supports all branches of service on the island of Oahu, Hawaii (US Navy, US Coast Guard and US Army.) She is a retired Navy Reserve O-6 with 25 years of service. She has served as a volunteer with nonprofits including the Arizona Memorial, and the Red Cross.
Tina Wright, National Program Manager, US Coast Guard
Tina has been working to grow the United Through Reading Program in the US Coast Guard since 2011. Tina was a USO employee in 2007-09 as the Programs Coordinator where she was responsible for events and program planning for the service members and families attached to Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan. She is currently serving as Command Ombudsman USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). She has been a military spouse for 20 years, and her husband is currently active-duty with the US Navy.
Program Support
Victoria Cameron-Lewis, Director of Strategic Alliances
Victoria plays a principal role in alliance strategy and implementation, relationship building, project management and marketing with major national corporations and organizations to support synergy to move the mission of United Through Reading forward while providing significant benefit to the organization’s partners. Victoria has a BA in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and an MPA from the University of Oklahoma. She is a Navy spouse of 15 years and has worked extensively in support of the military community.
Adriana Kirkland, Executive Assistant / Office Manager
Adriana provides invaluable customer service for our staff members, stakeholders, and visitors, using her skills and professionalism to make sure our office and work systems function effectively. Prior to joining United Through Reading, she worked building her numerous skills serving as an administrative and executive assistant in the private sector for business owners, executives and CEOs for more than 10 years.
Deborah Loeffler, Director of National Outreach
Deborah is a key spokesperson for United Through Reading, engaging with both military non-military communities and bridging the gap between the two. Deborah is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and is an educator and trainer who has worked extensively with Navy families throughout her husband’s career as a Surface Warfare Officer. As a leader within the Command and Flag spouse communities, she received the prestigious Department of the Navy Superior Public Service Medal.
Simi Rush, Data Manager
As Data Manager, Simi works closely with both the program delivery and program support teams to manage all of United Through Reading’s data systems including donor records, beneficiary data, evaluation instruments and communications vehicles. Simi holds an MA in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of San Diego and a BA in Communication from the University of California, San Diego and has more than 10 years of professional experience serving the nonprofit sector in San Diego. She is a Navy spouse of 8 years.
Gretchen Schnitzer, Grant Writer
As an indispensable member of the development team, Gretchen manages a docket of hundreds of annual funders for program support. As well as identifying and researching new funding opportunities, Gretchen prepares proposals, funding reports and general communication to grant makers explaining the impact of their investments in United Through Reading. In addition to her fundraising work, Gretchen provides support to United Through Reading staff on goal-setting and outcome measures. Gretchen has a background in marketing, business planning, customer care, teaching and writing.
Helen Westcott, Director of Communications
Helen coordinates and directs all internal communication efforts for the organization, including oversight of design and production of all program and administrative print collaterals, and provides management of the website and all digital media. She also serves as staff liaison to the Board’s Development and Communications Committee. Prior to joining United Through Reading, Helen served as the Director of Communications for the San Diego County Medical Society. She holds a BA in English, and has spent more than 25 years in nonprofit communications and marketing.
