Board - National Coalition for Literacy

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Board

Learn about our history and work

Jeffrey A. Fantine, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Jeffrey A. Fantine, Ph.D. is a national leader in adult education and literacy with more than 35 years of experience spanning policy, practice, research, and systems leadership. He currently serves as Executive Director of the National Coalition for Literacy, Associate Professor of Adult Education at The Ohio State University, and a national consultant providing technical assistance and professional development to states and local programs nationwide. His work focuses on advancing adult and family literacy through advocacy, strategic policy influence, and innovative service models, particularly in career pathways and systems alignment.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Fantine has held diverse leadership and practitioner roles across every level of adult education, including volunteer tutor, ABE and ESOL instructor, local program director, director of a statewide professional development center and member of Ohio’s state leadership team, state director of adult education and family literacy in Maine, and director of a national career pathways initiative funded by OCTAE. He has also served in key leadership positions at both the state and national levels, including President of OAACE, Vice President of COABE, Chair of AALPD, and Vice President of NCL. He is committed to advancing practical, forward-thinking solutions that strengthen the field and expand opportunity for adult learners and their families.

Eric Nesheim

Managing Director, Northstar Digital Strategies at Literacy Minnesota

Eric Nesheim is the former longtime Executive Director of Literacy Minnesota and currently the Managing Director of Northstar Digital Strategies. This new and expanding division of Literacy Minnesota houses the Northstar Digital Literacy platform, national partnerships and digital navigation. He’s on the steering committee of the Open Door Collective, the board of the National Coalition for Literacy and Co-Chair of E-BAES (evidence based adult education system) which promotes and advocates for more resources around research in the field. Eric began his human services career by serving in the Peace Corps in Haiti and Paraguay. He earned his Master’s of International Management degree from the University of St. Thomas School of Business.

Eric Nesheim is the Managing Director of Northstar Digital Strategies which is part of Literacy Minnesota. He is the current President of the National Coalition for Literacy and co-chair of EBAES task force (evidence based adult education system) through the Open Door Collective. He holds a Master’s of International Management degree from the University of St. Thomas

Meghan McBride

Vice President

Senior Project Manager, WestEd

Meghan McBride is a dedicated advocate for adult education with a career
spanning leadership, policy, and instructional roles in the field. As the
Senior Program Manager for Adult Education at WestEd, she leads efforts to
enhance professional development, technical assistance, and research to
support adult learners and the institutions that serve them.

Prior to her role at WestEd, Meghan served as Vice President for Adult
Education at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, where she oversaw WIOA
Title II programs. Her leadership focused on increasing access to education
and workforce pathways for adult learners, strengthening partnerships, and
improving program outcomes.

Meghan also has lived experience as a former adult learner, so she brings a
unique perspective to her work. She served as the first Alumni Advisor to
the Board of Directors for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE),
where she elevated the voices and experiences of adult learners at the
national level. She looks forward to joining NCL’s Board of Directors to
contribute her expertise in policy, advocacy, and program development to
advance literacy and educational opportunities for adults nationwide.

Lauren Osowski

Treasurer

Director of Advocacy & Field Services, Proliteracy

Lauren Osowski is the Director of Advocacy and Field Services at ProLiteracy. Since joining ProLiteracy in 2021, she has been responsible for projects related to workforce development, technology, and advocacy in addition to managing the Adult Literacy Education Journal publication and other special initiatives. Prior to coming to ProLiteracy, Lauren spent more than 15 years working in New Hampshire and abroad as an ESL/ABE teacher, mentor, facilitator, presenter, and program director. She holds a master’s degree in education from Rivier University.

Keven Maher

Secretary

Deputy Director, Office of Government Relations, American Literacy Association