We are excited to introduce one of our newest board members – Matthew Hess. Matthew currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for BennuBio. Prior to becoming COO for BennuBio, he serviced as Director of Global Service and Support for IsoPlexis. Matthew also has experience with the nonprofit world, having served as managing director for Coffee Kids. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Below you can learn a little bit more about Matthew in his own words.
Can you tell us a little bit about where you work and what you do?
I work for a local biotechnology startup called BennuBio. We have some innovative technology that is going to help advance the fields of cancer research and regenerative medicine.
What inspired you to join the board of ReadWest?
I was an adult literacy volunteer in my 20s. Adult literacy tutoring is such a powerful tool for helping people and for strengthening our community. Both students and tutors get so much out of it. I know it made a big difference in my life!
What books had the biggest impact on your life? (These can be fiction, nonfiction, or both.)
Oh goodness, there are so many. A few that jump out are Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha. I think I’ve read Dorothy Dunnett’s King Hereafter three or four times. And recently I’ve really been enjoying Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.
Where do you hope to see ReadWest in 5 years?
Doing the same thing, just more of it! More volunteers! More students! More supporters! More impact!
Red or Green?
On huevos: green. On enchiladas: red.
What is one message that you would want to share with our community of supporters who will be reading this?
Thank you! It takes all of us contributing in all the different ways that we can to build our community and make the world a better place. Keep up the good work!
