Our Team

Ashley Speyer
At the age of 16, Ashley was the first volunteer at the old Moivaro School in 2007. She initiated the Bricks + Books movement after witnessing the challenging learning environment of the children in the village. After returning to the US, Ashley tirelessly raised funds for the foundation.

Her efforts brought wide-spread support from media, world leaders and many other organizations to Brick + Books. (Click here to see more details) Ashley continues to grow Bricks + Books by expanding the reach of the organization in both Tanzania and the U.S.

 

---

 

Jessica Schwartz
Jessica was a 19 year old college freshman when she first volunteered in Tanzania. Jessica and Ashley worked together to form Bricks + Books because of their shared passion for facilitating positive change through promoting education among Tanzanian youth. In 2008, they returned to Moivaro to help with the finishing touches of the new school.

Since then, Jessica has helped build a large community of like-minded people who support this cause. Jessica currently holds the position of Executive Director.

 

---

 

Samantha Schwartz
Samantha is the youngest member of the Bricks + Books team. Samantha was inspired by her volunteer experience with Jessica and Ashley in 2007 and wanted to get more involved. Since the first trip in 2007, Samantha has returned to Tanzania on two different occasions.

She is visiting Tanzania during the summer of 2010 to implement her new sister school program. Samantha was awarded in 2010 a Perkins Grant to create a program that will connect her school in Pittsburgh to government schools in Tanzania.

 

---

 

Board of Directors

Ashley Speyer
Founder

Jessica Schwartz
Executive Director

Paul Grinberg
Chairman of the Board

Lily Wu
Vice President

Emily Medine
Secretary

Scott Morgan
Treasurer

Mary Speyer
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer

Samantha Schwartz
President of Youth Board