Lynn Reddy joined the staff of the National Institute for Literacy as the organization's first Communications Director in July 1999. She serves as the public point of contact for information about the Institute's projects as well as more general information about literacy. Her responsibilities include supervising publications development and production, managing media relations and outreach, developing the Institute's website content, supporting special events, and ensuring that interested individuals and organizations are aware of the essential role literacy plays in adults' lives. She also manages several contracts designed to raise awareness and disseminate information about scientifically based reading research.

Before joining the Institute, Lynn worked in public affairs at the U.S. Department of Defense where she directed a staff of 16 in the office of Programs and Community Relations. Earlier, she served as Press Secretary for the House Armed Services Committee and for Representative Les Aspin of Wisconsin.

Ms. Reddy holds master's degrees in education and public administration from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education and the Kennedy School of Government, and a bachelor's degree from Duke University. She concentrated on adult literacy and social policy in her graduate studies and worked for two years as an assistant on the Adult Reading Components Study sponsored by the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy.

Ms. Reddy has more than eleven years' experience as a volunteer tutor and teacher's aide in a variety of adult literacy program settings, including volunteer programs, family literacy programs, federally-funded programs, and English as a Second Language (ESOL) programs. She served on the Board of Directors of the National Capital Area chapter of Literacy Volunteers of America from 1995-1997 and has served since 2000 on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Hope, an adult literacy service provider in her neighborhood. Lynn also volunteered for eight years in a mentoring program for middle and high schools students.