Raising a Reader Aspen to Parachute has named a new leader for its early literacy efforts across the region, as Post Independent | Citizen Telegram reported on Monday. Iliana Renteria was officially named executive director of Raising a Reader Aspen to Parachute on Monday. With this landmark appointment, Iliana Renteria becomes the first Latina to serve as executive director in the history of the nonprofit organization, marking a significant milestone for the regional group.
Raising a Reader Aspen to Parachute currently serves approximately 3,000 local children through its dedicated early literacy programs operating across the service area from Aspen to Parachute. Among its core offerings, the organization manages the Red Book Bag program, which has existed since 2004 to help foster early childhood literacy and encourage reading habits among young children in the community.
Iliana Renteria brings a deep familiarity with the organization to the executive director position, having previously served Raising a Reader Aspen to Parachute as both program coordinator and associate director from 2017 to 2021. Discussing the decision to take on the top leadership role, Iliana Renteria told Post Independent | Citizen Telegram, "I thought, that’s the one. That’s the one I want to apply to. That’s the one I want to work with."
Following this leadership transition, former Executive Director Suzanne Wheeler-Del Piccolo will remain actively involved with the nonprofit, staying on as associate director to help guide the organization forward. Iliana Renteria also reflected on her personal background, family history, and the profound importance of early reading development, telling Post Independent | Citizen Telegram, "One of the first memories that I have of my mom is of her reading to me as a child, and how that sparked a curiosity in me, a desire to know more, to learn how to understand how to read, and I think that really planted the seed for me to always see education as the key for a better future."
As the organization continues its vital work for families and children, the next major fundraising event for Raising a Reader Aspen to Parachute is officially scheduled to take place on Colorado Gives Day on Dec. 8, providing an opportunity for community members to support early literacy initiatives throughout the region.