John Wood

John Wood: Program Outlines

At age 35, John Wood left his job as director of business development for Microsoft Corporation?s Greater China region to form Room to Read, a nonprofit organization that promotes literacy in impoverished parts of the world.

In his inspiring presentations, John describes how he founded Room to Read after becoming concerned that nearly a billion people in the world lack basic literacy, 'I was blessed with a great education, and as a result I had a great career and made some money. I started Room to Read as a way to give that same opportunity to children in some of the world?s poorest villages.'

Leaving Microsoft tells the story of Room to Read's infancy, the early successes, and lays the groundwork for the long-term vision of world change. John vividly chronicles Room to Read's beginnings, from his life-altering decision to leave the corporate world, to his quest to create a non-profit with a strong business ethos, and continuing until the present day.

John Wood?s work has been profiled by Bloomberg Television, CNBC, CNN, Fast Company, Newsweek, The New York Times, Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and USA Today. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Northwestern University and a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Finance from the University of Colorado.