Bigger Than Books: Leading with Vision, Dignity, and Heart with Suzannah Holsenbeck

In this heartfelt and unfiltered conversation, host Jenora Ledbetter sits down with Suzannah Holsenbeck, Executive Director of Read to Grow, a Connecticut-based organization committed to promoting early childhood literacy and supporting families from birth. Together, they unpack what it means to lead with clarity, care, and conviction in a nonprofit space where the work is always deeper than the mission statement.

Suzannah shares the leadership theme that’s anchored her most in the last year, the emotional heartbeat behind A Night for the Books, and the moment she realized literacy work was about generational change, not just education. From hard-earned lessons in leadership to real talk about burnout, equity, and the weight of responsibility, this episode is a masterclass in authentic, values-based leadership.

You’ll also hear what made her partnership with The Self Care Network so transformative, how her team is growing as a collective, and what bold legacy she envisions for Read to Grow in the next five years.

If you’re a nonprofit leader, educator, or simply someone who believes in the power of words to change lives, this one’s for you.