John Wood — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Founder and CEO of U-Go (since 2022), a non-profit funding women's postsecondary education in 9 low-income countries.
Founded the global literacy and education charity Room to Read in 2000.
Author of three books, including "Leaving Microsoft to Change the World" (2006) and "Creating Room to Read" (2013).
Serves as Asia Partner for Concentric Equity, a $2.5 billion private equity firm, and on the Board of Asia Partners.
Spent nearly a decade at Microsoft, including as Greater China director of business development.
Named one of the world's 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs by Goldman Sachs.

Biography

John Wood is the Founder and CEO of U-Go, a non-profit established in 2021 dedicated to funding women's postsecondary education. U-Go has awarded long-term university scholarships to 4,320 young women across nine low-income countries, with a two-year goal to increase the U-Go family to 10,000. Prior to U-Go, Wood founded Room to Read in 2000, a global literacy and education charity, where he is now Founder Emeritus.