ABOUT US
BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY WITH THE POWER OF LITERACY
- Collier County has the highest Economic Wealth Index Score in the state.
- However, 52% of its residents live below the poverty line.
- Low literacy continues the cycle of poverty.
Serving thousands of students over the years – with a growing list of individuals to be served – LVCC helps meet the challenges of Collier County’s growing and diverse population by ensuring that people from various walks of life and countries are given the skills to more fully participate in their community.
An accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy America, LVCC’s volunteer tutors work with students of all levels, changing lives for the better.
“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”
-Ludwig Wittgenstein
OUR STAFF
Susan Spry, Executive Director
Susan Spry joined Literacy Volunteers in November 2019 after a career in education and training that included teaching, training, and senior leadership positions in the U.S. and overseas. She is originally from North Carolina, but has called Naples home since 2002. She has degrees in international studies, education, and education administration from the University of South Carolina, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Nebraska. Susan has spent most of the last 25 years working overseas primarily in the Middle East region. She has lived and worked in Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, and, most recently, Saudi Arabia. She loves working with people from different backgrounds and cultures and is excited to be part of the further development and expansion of Literacy Volunteers of Collier County.
Contact: 239.262.4448, Ext 302 or sspry@collierliteracy.org
Brandon Wilkins, Director of Development
Brandon Wilkins joined LVCC in May of 2020 as the new Development Director. Brandon brings with him many years of sales, marketing, and development experience in both the corporate and nonprofit areas. He spent ten years with PepsiCo as a Senior Sales and Marketing Manager before entering nonprofit work. For the past three years Brandon served as the Development Director for the March of Dimes, with responsibility for all revenue generated in the state of Mississippi. One of Brandon’s first development goals for LVCC is to grow the organization and programs through expanding the support base. LVCC welcomes Brandon and joins with him in his excitement about the opportunities ahead.
Contact: 239.262.4448, Ext 303 or bwilkins@collierliteracy.org
Sandra Barreto, Office Manager
Sandra has been an integral part of LVCC since 2006. Born in Peru, her proficiency in English and Spanish provides major support to the adult program in addition to overseeing the organization’s administrative duties and event planning. A graduate of Southwestern State College, she is dedicated to making a positive impact on our students and provides her support where needed.
Contact: 239.262.4448, Ext. 306 or sbarreto@collierliteracy.org
Veronica Pavon-Baker, Director of Adult Programs
Veronica has over thirty years of experience in adult training and development, working closely with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Adult ESOL Programs. A retired administrator from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Veronica holds two Master’s degrees, one in Education in Curriculum and Instruction with ESL Specialization and another in Business Administration. Veronica’s extensive background in teaching, student assessment and administration is helping LVCC develop first class tutors for the Adult Program.
Contact: 239.262.4448, Ext. 304 or vpavonbaker@collierliteracy.org
Michelle Wilkins, Director of Families Programs
Michelle comes to us with a strong education background, very strong technical skills, and a passion for learning. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Master’s degree in Teaching. She began her career in education in 2007 in Mississippi, where she worked as a Business/Technology teacher until moving to southwest Florida with her family in 2020. She continued her career as a teacher in Cape Coral until June 2022. With over 15 years of classroom experience, her love of teaching children will certainly be an asset to the children and families LVCC serves.
Contact: 239.262.4448, Ext 306 or mwilkins@collierliteracy.org
Samantha Zuniga, Marketing Coordinator-Program Specialist
Samantha Zuniga came to LVCC in March 2020 as a test proctor. With great skills in marketing and IT, Samantha quickly accepted the additional role of Marketing Coordinator. Born in Peru, she also lived in Spain for 6 years before coming to Naples in 2016. Samantha has a degree in Computer Engineering from Vista Alegre College in Madrid, Spain, and she is currently pursuing a degree in Digital Marketing from State University of Illinois. In her time here, Samantha has broadened the reach of LVCC with her skills in design and ability to convey the LVCC message. Look for Samantha on Facebook, email, and Twitter, where she is telling everyone about the great work of LVCC staff and volunteers.
Contact: 239.262.4448, Ext. 307 or szuniga@collierliteracy.org
Board of Directors
Francis Fee – President
Jack Wert – Vice President
Chris Spitz – Treasurer
Allyson Rae – Secretary
Victor Cerna
Marc Fletcher
Margot Jackler
Dan Kreuzer
Dr. Elizabeth McBride
Wendy Aguilera
Mary Colina-Fowler
Honorary – Scott Turow, Lawyer and Best Selling Author