As CEO of a company that has helped millions of kids read, my top piece of career advice is to always prioritize learning and personal development.

The topic of education is deeply personal for Dr. Geetha Murali.

As the head of Room to Read, a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating illiteracy and gender disparities globally, she understands the transformative potential of education in shattering poverty and inequality.

"Murali stated on CNBC's "Make It" that children need foundational skills, such as reading, to overcome limitations in their lives."

Reading opens up the world to you, allowing you to develop learning pathways that enable you to make informed choices.

According to a 2024 publication by UNESCO, approximately 754 million adults worldwide are illiterate, with two-thirds of them being women. Meanwhile, UNESCO reported in 2023 that 250 million children were not attending school.

Room to Read, founded in 2000, has helped over 45 million children in 24 countries and invested about $850 million to enhance foundational learning for children worldwide. Murali, who joined the organization in 2009 as a manager, has since become its top executive.

Murali was also included in the "CNBC Changemakers: Women Transforming Business" list, which highlights women who have made significant contributions to the business world.

Like mother, like daughter

Murali, born in New York, spent some of her early years on the East Coast. Unlike her parents, she was given a different fate.

Unlike her mother, who grew up in India and did not have access to decent education, she spent her childhood in a developed country where she had access to it.

""My grandmothers were married at young ages," she said."

Murali stated that his mother, the oldest of seven siblings, was exceptionally intelligent and had finished high school at the age of 12. Despite her academic achievements, she was pressured to prioritize marriage over her education.

Although she desired to continue her education, her father was only willing to finance the university education of their oldest son, who was their fourth child.

"My mom felt a sense of injustice because there were three girls before her, and she wanted to go to school but was pressured to get married," said Murali. "Her actions were revolutionary at the time."

Murali's mother defied her family's expectations and enrolled in classes independently in their community. She later joined the Indian Army as a nurse, which allowed her to obtain a visa to travel to the U.S.

Murali stated that she studied in the U.S., earned a degree in biostatistics, and achieved a successful career. As a result, she was able to financially support her siblings' education in India.

She frequently mentions this when discussing her, and the similarity to Room to Read's approach to girls' education is evident in the impact of one decision she made to remain unmarried, which reverberated throughout an entire generation.

Murali's aunts, uncles, and cousins have been able to continue their education and achieve success because of the shift in the importance of education in the household, especially for girls, as Murali stated.

Hearing these stories growing up shaped Murali in a profound way.

She inherited her mother's academic prowess and became a standout student. By 22, she had obtained two bachelor's degrees in biostatistics, a master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and was currently employed in the pharmaceutical industry.

Realizing a personal mission

Growing up in this environment, Murali was highly achievement oriented.

"I believe that my early life was largely defined by my focus on studying and acquiring knowledge, which allowed me to gain the skills and privilege to choose how I apply them differently than my mom did."

Murali, who worked in a big pharmaceutical company as a clinical trial support and data analyst, came to the realization that her job wasn't satisfying.

"In my early 20s, with a promising job, I couldn't help but wonder if this was truly the path I wanted to follow for the next 45 years of my life."

While pursuing a PhD in South Asian Studies at UC Berkeley, Murali decided to shift her research focus to the social sector after numerous discussions and investigations.

She embarked on journeys to India to interact with locals and gather insights into voting trends as part of her research.

While she was lying on the ground, she gained more insight than she expected.

Some of the most significant experiences were during surveys with parents and discussions about government expectations, which ultimately became personal expectations for her, she stated.

The parents would request basic necessities such as a street light to ensure their children's safety while walking at night or a school located near their community to reduce the distance they have to travel.

"Although we could have discussed numerous ideas during my PhD journey, what truly mattered was my inability to find a streetlight, causing me to consider giving up everything for it," stated Murali.

Biggest lessons as a CEO

Murali decided to focus on work that had a direct impact on social impact and community development. Under her leadership, Room to Read has remained committed to making measurable changes.

Murali pondered over some of the most significant lessons she has acquired throughout her professional journey.

"I strive to convey to others that our limitations are not determined by past events."

"If given the fundamentals, you can achieve far more than you believe possible. Therefore, I advise individuals to keep pushing themselves beyond their perceived limits."

Murali believes that her leadership qualities were driven by a combination of diligence and audacity.

"I wasn't afraid of hard work. I was willing to put in the hours and was very achievement-oriented," she said. "I no longer have the fear of incremental change and taking risks."

"I believe that these basic rights should be a given, and the moves we have to make must be bold to make them happen," Murali stated. "Therefore, I think there's a level of boldness that has come in this part of my career that allows me to push Room to Read a lot faster than it has been in the past."

Murali advises young people to be mindful of over-planning and to embrace spontaneity, just as a GPS can provide guidance but should not restrict exploration.

"To succeed in my career, I believe it's crucial to possess strong and practical skills that can be utilized across various job opportunities and career paths, as the job market is constantly evolving and unpredictable."

Developing adaptability and these skill sets early on is highly valuable, she emphasized.

When selecting a career, it is crucial to balance passion and pragmatism. While pursuing your passion can be fulfilling, it is also important to develop practical skills to ensure financial stability. It is possible to achieve both, she emphasized.

Since its inception, Room to Read has distributed over 42 million books globally. In October, the organization launched "She Creates Change," a nonprofit-led animation and live action film project aimed at promoting gender equality.

Room to Read not only provides foundational learning initiatives for young children but also focuses on empowering adolescents, particularly females, with the necessary life skills to break family cycles and become community changemakers.

Murali stated to CNBC "Make It" that the organization is focused on equipping adolescents with the necessary skills to handle the daily challenges they encounter, including early marriage, violence against women, trafficking, child labor, food scarcity, and water scarcity.

"To succeed in school, students must determine how to manage their practical needs and effectively communicate with their families and communities."

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