Chase Hartman stands in front of a table full of books and a little library box.

Leading with kindness

December 1, 2025 By Kayla Docteur

Reading time: 3 minutes

How Chase Hartman (BSBA ’28) is on a mission to inspire the next generation through literacy.

In elementary school, Chase Hartman (BSBA ’28) built the foundation for his current nonprofit.

In 2016, Hartman launched a small book donation effort called Read.Repeat to increase book access to fellow kids in his community.

Since then, the organization has grown to a global 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing literacy, environmental stewardship and community service worldwide.

Chase Hartman stands with a group of people holding books in front of a table full of books with an Eco Brothers, Inc. banner.

Hartman’s nonprofit, Eco Brothers, Inc. has collected and donated over 300,000 books, raised over $195,000 and helped over 70,000 kids in more than 50 schools in Hillsborough County Public Schools.

But Hartman hasn’t stopped there. Through his nonprofit, Hartman established an international youth council to connect changemakers from around the world. The council currently has 200 members from 24 countries.

“There’s so many great changemakers from all over the world,” he said. “I want to make sure that they can [build] connections and have the funding that they need for [their] projects.”

Chase Hartman presents on a stage about literacy.

So far, he’s been able to secure $3,000 in grants to like-minded international students through the council.

For Hartman, establishing opportunities for underprivileged students is crucial to his mission.

“I know that passion can stem from literacy,” he said. Through reading, he believes he can enact a ripple effect, inspiring the next generation to learn, grow and make their own positive change.

Chase Hartman poses with another person holding books next to a little library box stand.

In the future, Hartman hopes to combine business and community service in a future career. Whether through government and nonprofit consulting, campaign work or other means, Hartman wants to continue making a difference.

“I want to have a career that’s going to make a positive impact on others every single day,” he said. “I want to see that impact.”

So far through the Warrington College of Business, Hartman has found mentorship through Dr. Brian Ray, director of the Poe Business Ethics Center and an instructional professor of leadership and ethics.

“There’s always something you can learn from someone that you meet in the business school,” he said.

When asked if there are any quotes, mottos or ideas that Hartman lives by, he responded:

“Lead with kindness.”