826 National is proud to announce the new Executive Committee of our Board of Directors. We’re thrilled to have the talent of such a diverse group of thinkers and leaders: Sandro Olivieri as chair, Miah Daughtery as vice president, Tony Francis as secretary, and Tom Racciatti as treasurer. These leaders embody a powerful combination of experience, vision, and heart—each one deeply committed to advancing our mission and strengthening the communities we serve. Let’s take a moment to get to know everyone a little more as they begin their journey as the 826 National Executive Committee of the Board!
Sandro Olivieri, Chair
Sandro is Chief Operating Officer at Diffusion Venture Studio, where he helps turn research into mission-driven startups that leverage technology to advance equity in education. His work bridges innovation and impact, ensuring tools are built with evidence and designed for real-world outcomes. As Chair of 826 National’s Board, he supports efforts to scale the powerful, chapter-based model of 826 to reach more students and educators—through initiatives like 826 Digital and beyond. As chair of the Executive Committee of the Board, Sandro shares,
“My vision for 826 National is to build on the powerful work already happening in our chapters and bring that impact to even more students and educators across the country. We’ve known how transformative it can be when young people are given the tools and encouragement to express themselves as writers. Now we have the opportunity to scale that magic—through digital platforms, new partnerships, and creative models of access—so that every young writer has the chance to be heard.”
Miah Daughtery, Vice President
Driven by a lifelong passion for literacy, Miah Daughtery has dedicated her career to ensuring all students—especially growing readers—discover the power and joy of reading and writing. As VP of Academic Advocacy, Literacy at HMH (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), an educational publishing company known for creating research-based curriculum, digital learning tools, and instructional content for K–12 classrooms, she has focused on expanding access to high-quality instruction and empowering educators with the tools they need. Her journey has included two-plus decades in the classroom, district leadership, and national roles shaping literacy policy and practice. Miah shares,
“My vision for 826 National is that we continue to nurture communities of writers—students who think deeply, write broadly, read critically, and communicate effectively in order to create the society they want to inhabit. Writing IS thinking; I am honored to contribute to the next generation of thinkers.”
Tony Francis, Secretary
Tony Francis brings over 23 years of experience in finance and strategic planning, spanning public accounting, large corporations, and startup operations. He currently leads the Genesis Program within Google’s Finance department, where he also plays a key role in advancing talent development initiatives. A passionate mentor and coach, Tony is deeply committed to supporting the next generation through volunteer work with schools and youth organizations. Known for his leadership and dedication to building inclusive teams, Tony’s work reflects both purpose and heart at every step. Tony shares,
“As Secretary, my top goal this year is to focus on leveraging my core responsibilities to enhance communication and support strategic planning between the Board and Staff. As a fan and volunteer for 826 National, I sincerely want to empower those that are enabling the execution of this mission. I am deeply passionate about serving our youth communities especially when it comes to lifting their voices so they can help us build a vision for the future that they can be proud of.”
Tom Racciatti, Treasurer
Tom leads West Monroe’s Minneapolis Office, a global consulting firm, guiding a multidisciplinary team of over 150 and driving growth, community impact, and leadership development. He is a seasoned strategist in M&A, digital transformation, and improvement through operational and organizational excellence. With international experience in Argentina and Canada, he brings a global perspective to business challenges. Tom also actively supports educational equity, formerly serving on the board of 826 MSP, and currently on our board as well as The Blake School’s alumni board. Tom shares,
“As treasurer of 826 National, my primary goal is to ensure financial stability and be responsive to our fundraising dynamics in what has recently been a difficult development environment. I’m hoping to continue working with the team and also expand the finance committee. Long-term, I’m hopeful we can continue to support a sustainable financial plan and further diversify our revenue streams. Last, everything we do as a finance committee is in service of the Organization’s amazing mission, impact, and goals!”
We’re deeply grateful for their commitment and leadership. Together, this Executive Committee will help move 826 National’s vision forward, uplifting youth voices and celebrating the transformative power of writing to create a brighter future—one story at a time.