# Michael Lombardo

> Michael Lombardo is the founder and former CEO of BookNook and the founder and CEO of BrightBee. Previously, he led Reading Partners through a decade of expansion, from a few hundred students in Silicon Valley to more than 10,000 across ten states and Washington, DC. His work centers on connecting students and schools with adults who can support learning.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at BrightBee
- **Organizations:** BrightBee, BookNook, Reading Partners, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Riverside, Stanford University, ONE WORLD Investments
- **Education:** Stanford University Graduate School of Business
- **Known for:** Led Reading Partners from a few hundred students to more than 10,000 served across ten states and Washington, DC by 2016., Founded BookNook, which reported serving more than 500 school districts and nonprofit partners in 38 states by March 2023., Selected for Stanford’s Social Entrepreneurs in Residence program for winter 2014.

## Career timeline

- **2006** — Joined Reading Partners; subsequently led it as its first CEO.
- **2014** — Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Stanford University.
- **2016** — Stepped down as Reading Partners CEO on June 1 and founded BookNook that year.
- **2023** — Transitioned from BookNook CEO to chairman in March; founded BrightBee.
- **2025** — Announced joining ONE WORLD Investments as its first education technology venture scout.

## Achievements

- Led Reading Partners from a few hundred students to more than 10,000 served across ten states and Washington, DC by 2016.
- Founded BookNook, which reported serving more than 500 school districts and nonprofit partners in 38 states by March 2023.
- Selected for Stanford’s Social Entrepreneurs in Residence program for winter 2014.
- Advised Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and helped launch Oakland Promise.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — BrightBee published Riley Mew’s career progression story, including an early interview with Lombardo.
- **2025-08** — Announced his family’s return to Los Angeles after two years in the Bay Area.
- **2025-06** — Discussed school staffing and worker career pathways in a BrightBee interview.
- **2025-02** — Announced joining ONE WORLD Investments as its first venture scout.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaellombardo1

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/michael-lombardo
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-12