Staff and Leadership

Terry Witherell, Executive Director, twitherell@firstliteracy.org

Terry joined First Literacy in 2019. She previously served in a leadership role at a national fundraising organization, where she created partnerships and strategic initiatives to help the poorest communities across the United States. She spent much of her earlier career at Boston College. Terry also has experience as a classroom teacher, counselor, and youth minister, and she has worked with homeless youth. She is excited to bring this breadth and diversity of experience to First Literacy and knows that now, more than ever, there is an urgency to help adult learners achieve their full potential.

Paula Dincer, Program Communications and Data Management,  pdincer@firstliteracy.org

Paula was first introduced to First Literacy as an ESOL volunteer teacher and frequent participant in First Literacy professional development workshops. She joined the First Literacy team in 2017 to put her program communications, data management skills, and 20-plus years of leadership experience to work for the First Literacy mission helping adult learners and innovating for adult literacy.

Adriana Echeverria, Administrative Assistant, aecheverria@firstliteracy.org

When Adriana was asked if she wanted to work in office administration at First Literacy she was happy to say yes, since she has over 15 years of administrative and accounting experience from her native El Salvador. At First Literacy she was surprised to learn how many people work in adult literacy in order to help immigrants like herself. “Here I am able to add another grain of sand to build a castle for all immigrants who come to this country and want to build their own castle, which in our original countries we can only dream about.” 

Amy Letteney, Development Director, aletteney@firstliteracy.org

Before joining First Literacy, Amy was involved with educational nonprofits both in the United States and internationally. She strongly believes in the power of education and has worked as a fundraiser and program manager for organizations of all sizes. Before joining First Literacy Amy worked for a local community college and was inspired by so many students and their drive to improve their lives. She welcomes the opportunity to contribute her experience to First Literacy.

Miles Lockwood, Administrative Assistant, mlockwood@firstliteracy.org

Miles is a graduate student pursuing his Master’s degree at UMass Boston studying International Relations with an additional focus in Conflict Resolution. An avid reader with a voracious appetite for history and current events, Miles’ focuses include human rights and social justice, bringing about a desire to help improve the plights of people in his community and internationally, which is what led him to First Literacy. Looking to broaden his skillset in the nonprofit sector and help his community at the same time, Miles is happy to be part of First Literacy and helping to expand adult literacy in the Greater Boston area.  

Bryan McCormick, Program Director, 

Bryan’s passion for social justice and education has led him to First Literacy. Bryan has over 15 years of experience teaching, leading and developing direct service and educator development programs for schools and mission- driven nonprofits. He most recently worked as a fourth grade teacher in the Arlington Public School system and before that worked in leadership roles for several large education focused national non-profits including Project Adventure and Playworks. Bryan is excited to bring his skills and experience to First Literacy.

Julie Slack, Marketing and Communications Director, jslack@firstliteracy.org

Julie joined First Literacy after working at various nonprofits in the New England area. She brings over 10 years of experience managing marketing and communications multi-channel campaigns, digital marketing, advertising, and  overall branded online presence. She is passionate about using her marketing expertise to make an impact in the lives of adult learners.