New REACH Literacy leader aims for accessibility

Molly O’Connor wants to get everyone involved.

The new executive director of REACH Literacy said accessibility is a passion for her, one that began during her career as a graphic designer at Lemonly.

“That’s where my heart is,” O’Connor said. “I’ve been a fan and supporter of the mission of REACH Literacy, and literacy is accessibility. To be able to come into work and do that day in and day out is my dream. It was the perfect fit.”

REACH is a nonprofit dedicated to literacy. The organization, which was founded in 1986, offers literacy education and operates a used bookstore on the south side of the Western Mall.

O’Connor said she has had a lifelong love of literature, including her favorite, “Waiting for Godot,” a play by Irish playwright Samuel Beckett. “I think it’s just beautiful,” O’Connor said.

Most recently, though, she has delved into more contemporary fiction.

“I just finished ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.’ I really like fiction. I like a good story that jumps back and forth in time,” O’Connor said of the book, which is about a lifelong friendship among video game designers. “I’m not a huge gamer, but I think reading about them and how they are made is really interesting.”

Her go-to recommendation, though, is the Harry Potter series. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read them – every single book.” REACH Literacy traditionally has organized events in the bookstore around the character’s birthday.

O’Connor replaces Paige Carda, who served as executive director for more than a decade.

“Paige has been pivotal to really cementing REACH Literacy as a vital part of Sioux Falls,” Megan Baldridge, president of REACH’s board of directors, said in a statement. “Her leadership strengthened REACH’s mission, which she helped bring to life through literacy programs, community outreach events, our nonprofit bookstore and our new dedicated literacy center.”

The board wanted someone equally passionate in a new executive director.

“Every time we met with Molly, her dedication and enthusiasm was palpable,” Baldridge said. “It’s clear through Molly’s professional and volunteer work how devoted she is to truly making people’s lives better. That and many, many other qualities she’s shown to us, as well as the staff and volunteers, make it clear she’s the perfect person to lead REACH Literacy.”

O’Connor has spoken broadly about her passion for accessibility and inclusion through TEDx Sioux Falls and Trendigital.

“I believe that creating equity through literacy is a key component of making the world more accessible,” O’Connor said. “Everyone deserves the ability to read, to ensure they feel humanized and empowered, to navigate the world successfully and confidently, and to open minds and imaginations when enjoying a good book.”

As executive director, she now spearheads that mission-driven work with strategic leadership and oversight of business operations, staff and volunteer management, fundraising and development, and literacy programming and outreach. Last year, REACH Literacy expanded to double in size, bringing space for a computer lab and room to offer classes.

O’Connor brings local nonprofit insight, having served as a founding board member of Rare by Design, which has a mission of creating awareness, inclusion and representation for individuals with a rare disease and disability, and as board president and treasurer for AIGA South Dakota, a professional association for design.

O’Connor lives in Sioux Falls with her husband and 5-year-old daughter.