Freedom Reads, Chief Financial Officer, Hamden, CT
About Freedom Reads
Founded in 2020, Freedom Reads is the only organization in the nation using literature, design, and architecture to create transformative experiences for people in prison and to meaningfully elevate the dignity of the millions of people in this country touched by the criminal legal system.
Vision
A Freedom Library in every cellblock in every prison in America. Freedom Reads envisions a society that acknowledges and nurtures the basic dignity and humanity of people in prison.
Mission
Freedom Reads’ mission is to bring joy, inspire hope, and help those Inside confront what prison does to the spirit.
We bring beautiful, handcrafted bookcases into prisons, transforming cellblocks into Freedom Libraries. The Freedom Library is a physical intervention into the landscape of plastic and steel and loneliness that characterizes prison. In an environment where the freedom to think, to contribute to a community, and even to dream about what is possible is too often curtailed, Freedom Reads reminds those Inside that they have not been forgotten.
For more information about Freedom Reads, please see https://freedomreads.org/.
The Opportunity
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a strategic leader responsible for safeguarding and advancing the financial health of Freedom Reads. Reporting to the Founder & CEO and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the CFO oversees all financial operations including accounting, financial reporting, cash management, and budget planning. This role ensures that financial strategies align with Freedom Reads’ mission to expand access to literature and transform lives.
The CFO plays a critical role in developing scalable financial systems that support the organization’s growth while maintaining fiscal integrity. This leader collaborates with staff, the board of directors, donors, foundations, government agencies, and strategic partners to drive financial sustainability and operational excellence. The CFO will lead the finance team in fostering a culture of equity, collaboration, and mission-driven commitment. In addition to overseeing the responsible deployment of funds and managing banking relationships, this role balances high-level financial strategy with hands-on management to enhance organizational impact and long-term growth.
Contact
Koya Partners has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Liz Lombard and Angie Sessoms. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile or emailing the search team directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions are strictly confidential.
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams. Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.