Laura Rice, former associate director at Women's Information Services, a New Hampshire-based nonprofit dedicated to ending gender-based violence, has been appointed executive director of the Children’s Literacy Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to inspire a love of reading and writing among low-income, at-risk and rural children up to age 12 throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. She succeeds founder Duncan McDougall, who retired in March.
As Rice assumed her new role on April 1, the foundation — celebrating its 25th anniversary this year — was completing its move into a new, purpose-built headquarters in Waterbury Center. With more than twice the square footage of CLiF’s previous headquarters, the new building — which will be named for McDougall — is designed for greater efficiency and will enable CLiF to serve many thousands more children in coming years.
Rice has over 20 years of professional experience at mission-driven organizations, including the last 11 years at WISE. She joins CLiF already well-acquainted with the organization’s work, having previously spent six years on the board of directors, including a stint as CLiF board chair.
“I have long admired CLiF's dynamic and inclusive ways of motivating children to read and write, and I strongly believe these inspired young people will lead themselves and our communities to bright futures,” Rice said. “I am absolutely thrilled to join the amazing CLiF team as it carries the tremendous momentum of Duncan and the past 25 years forward.”