CALO Member Spotlight: Carey Harris, Chief Executive Officer, Literacy Pittsburgh

For more than seven years, Carey Harris has led Literacy Pittsburgh with clarity, courage, and an unwavering belief in the power of adult education to transform lives and communities. As CEO of Literacy Pittsburgh, Carey oversees one of the region’s most impactful adult basic education organizations, serving learners across Allegheny and Beaver counties who are building skills—and futures—often after being overlooked by traditional systems.

Literacy Pittsburgh provides a safe, empowering space where adults develop essential skills including reading, writing, English language acquisition, math, digital literacy, GED and citizenship test preparation. The organization also offers career-focused programs in healthcare, construction, finance, and technology—ensuring students are not only educated, but prepared for meaningful employment and economic mobility.

Carey came to Literacy Pittsburgh as a seasoned nonprofit executive, stepping into her fourth CEO role—but her first leading an adult basic education or direct-service organization. What she brought instead was deep expertise in financial management, fundraising, policy advocacy, and a strong professional network developed through years of leadership in other sectors. She also brought fresh perspective.

“When I joined Literacy Pittsburgh,” Carey reflects, “I saw enormous potential and a lot of low-hanging fruit.” While the organization was already one of the largest and highest-performing in its field, adult basic education itself has long been underfunded and undervalued in the U.S. education system. Even Literacy Pittsburgh, stronger than most peers, was operating with a scarcity mindset that limited growth and opportunity.

One of Carey’s first challenges was crafting a vision that energized existing stakeholders while attracting new partners and resources. She convened a transition committee of internal and external stakeholders—including funders—and led a series of strategic conversations that culminated in the launch of Ready, Relevant, and Sustainable just nine months into her tenure. That framework became a defining roadmap—not only guiding her early leadership, but shaping two subsequent strategic plans and helping raise several million dollars for new initiatives.

The results have been profound. Under Carey’s leadership, Literacy Pittsburgh has become a central player in the region’s talent ecosystem. Student employment outcomes have doubled, transitions to post-secondary education and job training have increased six-fold, and the organization now serves nearly twice as many students as it did seven years ago. Career pathways in healthcare, construction, and technology/finance—along with a robust digital skills program serving more than 500 people annually—have expanded access to opportunity in meaningful, measurable ways.

Equally important has been the internal transformation of the organization itself. Carey led Literacy Pittsburgh from a scarcity-driven, family-style operation into a sophisticated, growth-ready agency with strong systems for HR, data, and organizational learning. Staff has grown by 76%, the organization has been repeatedly named a Best Place to Work, and inclusion benchmarks—including the local Vibrant Index—have improved significantly.

Financial sustainability has been a cornerstone of this evolution. Literacy Pittsburgh’s annual budget has increased by 75%, its balance sheet has doubled, the endowment has grown substantially, and an operating reserve has been established. The organization has diversified revenue across public and private sources and expanded earned revenue through employer training services—positioning it to withstand uncertainty and invest confidently in the future.

While challenges remain—including the possibility of federal funding cuts—Carey believes the organization is well prepared. “Because of the progress we’ve made,” she notes, “we’re positioned to weather these storms while staying focused on our long-term goal: ensuring our students have the skills, knowledge, and pathways to great jobs so they can build strong families and futures in our region.”

Carey’s leadership has been recognized widely, including honors such as Pittsburgh Fast 50, Woman of Influence, and multiple Best Place to Work awards. Yet she is quick to credit the team around her and the importance of leadership support.

“I am deeply grateful for my CALO forum,” Carey shares. “Our group has created a safe space where we can work through issues that are consequential, tender, and not for public consumption. I walk away from each meeting inspired and energized. CALO’s tools, protocols, and frameworks bring discipline and structure that ensure our time together truly matters.”

She adds a special note of appreciation for Bob Halperin, who helped launch her forum: “Bob is an incredibly wise coach and leader.”

At CALO, we are honored to count Carey Harris among our members. Her leadership exemplifies what’s possible when vision, discipline, and compassion come together—and when leaders invest not only in organizations, but in themselves and one another.