Search Is Underway To Hire Replacement For Literacy Achieves Executive Director Dionne Kirby

It was just a year ago on Monday, August 8, that Dionne Kirby returned to Literacy Achieves to succeed retiring Executive Director Sarah Papert. Dionne’s relationship with the organization was not a new one. From July 2017 to May 2021, she had been on the staff, rising from Program Manager of Adult English Language Learning to Associate Director of Development and eventually Senior Director of Philanthropy before leaving to become executive director of America’s Dinner Table in May 2021.

When Sarah announced her plans to retire after more than 20 years, more than 200 candidates applied for her job before the finalists were whittled down to seven. But Dionne stood out and was the unanimous choice by the search committee.

That’s why it was a surprise that she departed Literacy Achieves this past August 1.

While a search is currently underway for Dionne’s replacement, Vicki Keifer will serve as interim executive director.

Established as Vickery Meadow Learning Center in 1997, Literacy Achieves has three campuses in the Dallas area to “equip non-English speaking adults and their young children with English literacy and life skills to promote self-sufficiency and the overall well-being of our students, their families and the greater community.”