A fourth generation Newarker, Natasha has a deep-seated commitment to the health and development of her hometown as demonstrated in 20+ years of service in Newark’s nonprofit and philanthropic sector. Through personal and professional experience, she has witnessed the impact of service on the human spirit and the power of collective action and experience. She believes in an integrated approach to constructing nonprofit organizations, programs, and services, which combine cultural awareness, with theory and best practices, lending itself to the elevation of communities.

Prior to joining Express Newark, Natasha served as the first person of color to lead Greater Newark Conservancy—an organization that works at the intersection of environmental-, food-, and racial-justice to improve the health and wellbeing of Newark residents and beyond. While there she designed the organization’s first collective impact initiative, focused on equitable access to healthy food in Newark schools. Included among Natasha’s previous roles are service as deputy director at Newark Trust for Education, staff member in the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Arts Education department and part-time teaching fellow with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy, among others.

Natasha holds a BA in sociology from Rutgers University Newark and a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from Rutgers Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration. She has also served as consultant and volunteer board member for several cultural causes and Newark area nonprofits including Newark Arts and the Gem Project. She currently serves on the board of Arts Ed Newark and as board chair for Gathering Ground, which connects people, ideas, and action for an equitable and just society. In her personal life Natasha is a mindfulness coach and facilitator and is currently pursuing teaching certification in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at Brown University.