About Us

Who We Are?

At Expedition Reading, we are physicians, educators, and students brought together by a shared belief: literacy is a powerful form of care.

We see stories the same way we see health and education, as foundations for a child’s future. A book can comfort, inspire, and open doors long before a child ever steps into a classroom. For us, improving childhood literacy isn’t just a charitable act – it’s a commitment to equity, dignity, and opportunity.

Our nonprofit was founded through a family-driven effort rooted in service and compassion, with a simple but enduring mission: to place books into the hands of children who need them most. Over the years, that mission has grown through partnerships with hospitals, schools, and community organizations serving vulnerable families; meeting children at the very start of life and supporting them as they grow.

We collaborate with generous donors, dedicated volunteers, and like-minded nonprofit partners to ensure that every book we give is more than a gift. It’s an invitation to imagine, learn, and thrive.

One child. One book. One journey at a time.

Meet Our Leaderhip Team

Arjun Bansal

Co-Founder - COO

A high school junior and co-founder of Expedition Reading, Arjun is driven by service, leadership and sharing his love of reading and STEM. He believes access to books can change life trajectories and is committed to building lasting opportunity through literacy.

Seniya JonesFoster

Co-Founder - Director

A passionate ninth-grade student, Seniya is motivated by leadership, service, and helping others learn and grow. She loves being part of a movement that creates real impact and is excited to help bring the joy of reading to kids in her community.

Nasani JonesFoster

Co-Founder - Assistant Director

A seventh-grade student and avid reader, Nasani believes every child deserves the chance to fall in love with books. She is excited to help share stories, imagination, and the joy of reading with children everywhere.

Dr. Alexina Mehta

Co-Founder - CFO

A physician leader with a global perspective on health and equity. She is passionate about women’s health, education, and literacy, and believes reading empowers individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

Dr. Zenobia JonesFoster

Co-Founder

A physician leader in Hospital Medicine and Graduate Medical Education, blending clinical excellence with teaching and mentorship. She is committed to serving the community through equitable, patient-centered care and meaningful outreach.

Dr. Mickey Bansal

Co-Founder - CEO

A nationally recognized physician leader who believes literacy is foundational to lifelong health and opportunity. He brings clinical insight, community leadership, and a passion for service to advancing equitable access to books.

Our Guiding Principles

Access

Books should never be a privilege. We work to remove barriers to reading by placing books directly into the hands of babies and children—through hospitals, schools, and trusted community partners. Access to books is the first step toward access to opportunity.

Equity

Equity means meeting children where they are and responding to their unique needs. We focus our efforts on underserved communities where access to books is limited, ensuring every child has a fair chance to build literacy skills. Our work is guided by the belief that equal opportunity starts with equal access.

Joy

Reading should be a source of wonder, comfort, and connection—not obligation. We believe that when children associate books with joy and warmth, they are more likely to become lifelong readers. Every book we share is an invitation to imagination and delight.

Partnership

Lasting impact happens through collaboration. We partner with nonprofits, schools, hospitals, and community organizations to amplify our reach and strengthen outcomes for children and families. Together, we support both caregivers and children—because literacy thrives in community.

Future

Early literacy shapes a child’s future long before the first day of school. By placing books in children’s hands from birth, we invest in stronger educational outcomes, healthier communities, and brighter futures. Literacy is a lifelong multiplier that benefits generations to come.

Stewardship

We honor the trust placed in us by using resources thoughtfully and responsibly. Through strong partnerships and efficient distribution, we ensure that every donation, cash or books, creates meaningful impact for children. Stewardship means maximizing reach while staying true to our mission.

Trusted partners

We Don’t Work Alone. You Make This Possible.

Every donation, every volunteer hour, every share — it adds up to real change.