John WoodJohn Wood

Introduction Introduction

John's career at Microsoft spanned 1991 John's career at Microsoft spanned 1991 to 1999, where he ran significant parts of to 1999, where he ran significant parts of Microsoft's international business, as the Microsoft's international business, as the Director of Marketing for the Asia-Pacific Director of Marketing for the Asia-Pacific Division, Director of the Internet Customer Division, Director of the Internet Customer Unit for Microsoft Australia, and Director of Unit for Microsoft Australia, and Director of Marketing for Microsoft Australia. Marketing for Microsoft Australia.

At age 35, John Wood did just At age 35, John Wood did just that - quitting his position as that - quitting his position as

Microsoft's Director of Business Microsoft's Director of Business Development for the Greater Development for the Greater

China Region in order to found China Region in order to found Room to Read. He has never Room to Read. He has never

looked backlooked back. .

In 1998, John went on a vacation that changed In 1998, John went on a vacation that changed his life. hiking through a remote Himalayan his life. hiking through a remote Himalayan village, he struck up conversation with a School village, he struck up conversation with a School teacher, who invited him to visit his school. teacher, who invited him to visit his school.

Once there John discovered that the few books Once there John discovered that the few books available were so precious that they were kept available were so precious that they were kept under lock and key - to protect them from the under lock and key - to protect them from the children! Fewer than 20 books, only available for children! Fewer than 20 books, only available for more than 450 students. more than 450 students.

ImpactImpact

After returning from nepal, it started with a After returning from nepal, it started with a simple email requesting to friends donate simple email requesting to friends donate their used books which grown into Room their used books which grown into Room to Read, an award winning non-profit that to Read, an award winning non-profit that over the past 9 years has established over over the past 9 years has established over 7500 libraries, donated and published 6 7500 libraries, donated and published 6 million books, built over 830 schools, and million books, built over 830 schools, and funded over 8,800 long-term scholarships funded over 8,800 long-term scholarships for girls - impacting the lives of over 3.1 for girls - impacting the lives of over 3.1 million students worldwide. million students worldwide.

After all the things he had contributed ,John has After all the things he had contributed ,John has received lot of awards such as the "Young received lot of awards such as the "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum and as one of Time Magazine's "Asian Heroes." and as one of Time Magazine's "Asian Heroes." Room to Read is a five-time winner of Fast Room to Read is a five-time winner of Fast Company Magazine's Social Capitalist Award, a Company Magazine's Social Capitalist Award, a recipient of the Skoll Foundation Award for recipient of the Skoll Foundation Award for Social Innovation, and a recipient of Draper Social Innovation, and a recipient of Draper Richards Fellowship for social entrepreneurs. Richards Fellowship for social entrepreneurs.

Sources Sources

http://www.leavingmicrosoftbook.com/author.htmhttp://www.leavingmicrosoftbook.com/author.htm

Done by jit sheng, stefan and Done by jit sheng, stefan and chin hochin ho