Staff

Michael leads Charity Navigator in its efforts to make impactful philanthropy easier for all by increasing the breadth and depth of evaluation methodologies to facilitate ratings coverage of substantially larger numbers of charities and expand how the information engages new and existing audiences. Prior to joining Charity Navigator Michael spent more than fifteen years with Microsoft, the last ten of which, as their Public-Sector Chief Technology Officer responsible for technology policy initiatives and engagements with governments and academic leaders in Asia, the Middle-East and Africa. Michael's eclectic background includes years at sea conducting oceanographic research with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, composing music and dancing internationally as the co-founder and co-director of Dance Music Light. He has held various board positions within the nonprofit and tech sector, holds several patents in enterprise systems management and has a degree in Music from Columbia University in New York. His guiding mantra: Follow your heart - Use your head - Make a difference

Laura Andes is an evaluation professional with 20 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors. She is the Chief Program Officer, where she oversees the development of the Encompass Rating System. Before this role, she served as Vice President of Impact Ratings. She joined Charity Navigator in 2021, having considerable experience, most notably implementing and evaluating global health programs, and developing enhanced placed-based service programs in affordable housing domestically. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and an M.P.H. from Yale University. In her free time, you will find Laura exploring the mountains near her home in Colorado with her husband and two children.

Don is responsible for leading technology initiatives at Charity Navigator. Prior to joining the team, Don was a leader in the cloud business at IBM where he focused on software engineering, product management, and strategy. Don has over 25 years of experience developing and delivering software in both large enterprises and early stage startups. He specializes in cloud platforms, Software-as-a-Service, middleware, and full-stack development. Don holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland.

Nancy ensures smooth daily operations, including leadership of our finance, human resources, and office management functions. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Nancy worked for an international human rights organization and coordinated humanitarian aid shipments to the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. She has a degree in political science from William Paterson University.

Laura Andes is an evaluation professional with 20 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors. She is the Chief Program Officer, where she oversees the development of the Encompass Rating System. Before this role, she served as Vice President of Impact Ratings. She joined Charity Navigator in 2021, having considerable experience, most notably implementing and evaluating global health programs, and developing enhanced placed-based service programs in affordable housing domestically. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and an M.P.H. from Yale University. In her free time, you will find Laura exploring the mountains near her home in Colorado with her husband and two children.

Natasha works as an analyst in the Impact Unit, where she works on evaluating the social impact of charities within the encompass system. Prior to her time at Charity Navigator, Natasha worked with multiple international non-profits on the rights of women and children. She graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Political Science and Labor Studies. She also holds a certificate in Montioring and Evaluation from New York University. In her free time, you can find her hiking with her dog, painting, or at a concert.

Julia helps aid with day-to-day operations of the office. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Social Work and International Relations. Before joining Charity Navigator, she worked at an intercultural communication program located in Tel Aviv to help foster youth relationships. In her free time, she loves to spend her time outdoors or practicing yoga.

Maizy assists in daily operations, development, and innovations at Charity Navigator’s Alert System. She shows up every day with an eagerness to learn and a plethora of questions. Maizy is a recent graduate of Miami University where she graduated with an M.A. in Political Science. When not at work she enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, and playing hockey.

Along with his primary responsibilities of charity data collection, research, analysis, and evaluation, Kevin works towards improving the evaluation system and process. Before he joined Charity Navigator, Kevin worked as a community organizer and field manager with Clean Water Action, a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting the environment and public health. He graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Psychology. Kevin spends his time playing board and computer games, reading 1920s mystery novels, and trying to explain why the Tour de France is awesome to anyone who will listen.

Anjana is an Program Analyst who contributes to data collection and assists in the evaluation of numerous charities. She has a B.A in Economics from SUNY Old Westbury, and is currently enrolled in graduate school at Baruch College getting an MPA. She is well versed in academic writing and research, having been a research assistant throughout college and graduate school. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading and cooking.

Alex corresponds with nonprofits and donors, providing initial support for the Encompass and Star systems, as well as the nonprofit portals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago. Alex has a professional background in communications and technology and has worked with nonprofit, government, and business sectors. Outside of work, she creates art that supports biodiversity and awareness of environmental issues.

Jennifer is currently a member of the Impact Unit as a Program and Ratings Manager, working on evaluating the social impact of charities as part of the Encompass Rating System. Before joining Charity Navigator, she worked as an analyst for a human-wildlife conflict initiative based in Nairobi, Kenya. She holds an MBA with a focus in Nonprofit Management and Environmental Sustainability from Boston University and a B.S. from College of Charleston. In her free time, she loves paddleboarding, hiking and spending time outdoors with her dogs, and planning her next trip.

Lea joined Charity Navigator in 2022 to direct the development of methodologies for evaluating the social impact of charities at scale for the Impact and Ratings Beacon. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California at Davis. She comes to Charity Navigator from the academic sector where she worked for 10 years measuring health and nutrition outcomes with an emphasis on interventions affecting marginalized populations. Outside of work, Lea loves spending time in the Sierra foothills where she lives (especially on the region's amazing lakes and rivers), traveling to new places, listening to live music, and laughing and relaxing with friends and family.

Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Matt was employed as an analyst with a Wall Street investment firm. He has a degree in finance from Binghamton University. An avid sports fan, he roots for the New Jersey Devils, New York Yankees and the New York Giants. When not in the office, he enjoys playing golf, reading and most of all, spending time with his family.

Natalie joined Charity Navigator in 2022 as the research manager for the Impact and Results Beacon. Prior to Charity Navigator, Natalie worked on a large-scale impact evaluation based in Ethiopia as a Congressional Hunger Fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute. She holds a master’s degree in Agriculture, Food, and the Environment from Tufts University. An environmentalist at heart, Natalie received her undergraduate degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and worked in Guinea as an agroforestry extension volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps.

Zachary is responsible for the operations of Charity Navigator's Advisory System. From the day to day operations of the program to guiding the continuous improvement and development within that system, he tackles every task in front of him with an eye towards consistency, fairness, and innovation. Zachary also serves as the Chair of Charity Navigator's Advisory Issuance Committee, from whom he gathers invaluable feedback, insight, and consensus for all Advisory related decisions. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Zach graduated from Boston College with an M.A. in English Literature. When not at work, Zach can be found reading, gaming, hiking, and engaging in whatever nerdery catches his interest in the moment.</p>

Kimberly joins Charity Navigator as our Development Officer leading work to make stakeholders and donors feel valued, inspired, and compelled to invest in and advance Charity Navigator’s mission to make impactful giving easier for all. She previously served as Director of Development at American Diabetes Association and as Director of Major Gifts at United Way. Kimberly received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Communications from Florida International University. Some of Kimberly’s favorite things are traveling, baking, and visiting dog parks with her lemon spotted beagle, “LimonCella.” She is a Florida native and mother of two who recently developed a love of cycling and rides a carbon fiber road bike more than 200 miles per week.

Mary builds relationships with foundations leveraging their support to ensure the continued success of Charity Navigator. Mary brings development, volunteer management, and community engagement experience from several local organizations and values being highly engaged in her local community. She is a member of the Junior League, Leadership Norman Class ‘23, and volunteers for several organizations. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ issues and women’s rights. Mary enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family in her free time.

Kyle is responsible for leading the Development team's efforts to raise the resources needed to expand the breadth and depth of our ratings and resources. Before joining Charity Navigator in 2017, Kyle was in electoral politics, fundraising for candidates and political committees. Kyle earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas. In his free time, Kyle enjoys spending quality time with his wife, three kids, two dogs, two cats, and five chickens, as well as rooting for his Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

Ben leads Charity Navigator’s exploration of new revenue opportunities, fundraising around these opportunities, and associated product development. In the immediate future, he is focused on growing Charity Navigator’s API, exploring corporate giving, and expanding list-based giving— to make impactful giving easier for all. Before its acquisition by Charity Navigator, Ben was the founder of Causeway, a tech startup that makes it easy to create and curate a personal giving portfolio. Prior to Causeway, Ben was a Global Ecosystems Lead at Facebook, growing its products in emerging markets. Ben’s background also includes time with U.S. Senate and Presidential Campaigns and at the design consultancy Prophet. He is the co-founder of OpenCampaign, an open-source library of campaign documents. He has a degree in Anthropology from Haverford College.

With a dynamic blend of creativity and strategy, Winchelle Jean-Pierre is a Marketing Associate at Charity Navigator, where they drive impactful campaigns to elevate the visibility and influence of nonprofits. Armed with a background in digital marketing and a passion for social good, Winchelle crafts compelling narratives and innovative strategies to connect donors with causes they care about. Their expertise lies in leveraging data-driven insights to enhance brand presence and engagement across various channels.Winchelle is dedicated to amplifying the voices of charitable organizations and ensuring they reach their fullest potential in making a difference. Outside of work, Winchelle enjoys singing, acting, film and cinema as well as being a positive force for her loved ones and those close to her.

Monique joins Charity Navigator as our Content Manager. In this position she plays a crucial role in supporting a holistic content strategy and crafting compelling and impactful content for our donor and nonprofit audiences. Monique has spent her career supporting nonprofits and social impact organizations through marketing, communication, and development work. Before Charity Navigator, Monique was the Director of Storytelling at 4.0 where she led the marketing and communication strategies to amplify stories of impact from the community and their mission for education innovation. While at 4.0, she also worked in fundraising, raising and managing a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Monique also worked for the PFM Group and National Resource Network supporting state and local governments on finance and operational reform. She completed her B.A in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies at Louisiana State University. Monique was born and raised in Louisiana and now resides in Fort Worth, TX with her husband and two cats. She enjoys cooking, traveling, writing, and working on multiple craft projects at once.

Monica joins Charity Navigator as the Sr. Digital Marketing Manager. In this role, she will directly support Marketing and Development helping to leverage data and technology to create an impactful and engaging digital experience. Before Charity Navigator, Monica has 10+ years' experience working at a digital marketing agency geared specifically towards non-profit organizations, as well as experience directly working at non-profits. In her free time, you will find her at one of her three kids' various sporting events, baking, working on DIY projects, or planning for all things Christmas!

Leslie leads the marketing and communication strategies for Charity Navigator. Her primary responsibilities include increasing brand awareness and engagement from donors and non-profit organizations. Before joining Charity Navigator, she has 25 years of experience leading marketing teams at companies ranging from start-ups to fortune 500s. Leslie excels at delivering innovation, cost-effective strategies and technology solutions. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Gettysburg College. In her free time, she enjoys time with her husband, 2 daughters and 2 crazy dogs. She also loves her many hobbies including hiking, peloton-ing, paddle boarding, gardening, painting, volunteering for non-profit organizations, and book clubs.

Mary has joined Charity Navigator in the role of Development Assistant. She holds a B.A. in Political Science/Public Administration from Montclair State University and recently earned her M.P.A. in Public Administration/Nonprofit Management from Seton Hall University. Mary has several years of experience with various Higher Education nonprofit institutions. Outside of work, Mary enjoys spending time with her family, theater, and baseball as a loyal NY Mets fan.

Don is responsible for leading technology initiatives at Charity Navigator. Prior to joining the team, Don was a leader in the cloud business at IBM where he focused on software engineering, product management, and strategy. Don has over 25 years of experience developing and delivering software in both large enterprises and early stage startups. He specializes in cloud platforms, Software-as-a-Service, middleware, and full-stack development. Don holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland.

Moustafa holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the Grove School of Engineering at City College of New York. He develops and maintains Charity Navigator's website and internal applications. Moustafa is a technology enthusiast and a social entrepreneur; prior to Charity Navigator he launched an Education Technology startup to help low-income K-12 students go on educational school field trips. Aside from programming and playing soccer, his interests include education, youth development, and civil rights.

Nicholas Leask joins Charity Navigator as our Sr. Software Engineer. He is a key part of our cross-functional team responsible for the full software development life cycle, from conception to deployment. Nic is a versatile full-stack software engineer driven by a desire to harness technology for practical problem-solving. Possessing technical and non-technical experience in both startups and enterprises, Nic has previously played an instrumental role in conceiving, developing, and maintaining a diverse array of software applications, ranging from websites to enterprise systems. He's genuinely committed to leveraging his technical prowess for creating a positive impact on our global community. At his present role of Senior Software Engineer, he's channeling his skills as a dedicated member of the Charity Navigator team and striving to expand the organization's capacity to empower people to give with confidence.

As the Project Management Officer, Lisa brings over 20 years of experience in the digital space to Charity Navigator. Her previous experience includes journalism at several local newspapers in Central California, and the natural health industry at Nordic Naturals. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with friends and attending cultural events.

Marissa serves as a Software Engineer on the Engineering Team. Before Charity Navigator, Marissa worked at other non-profit organizations, focusing on housing, civil rights, and human services. She is fascinated by the intersections between technology and community-building and is a life-long learner.

When not programming Ramandeep enjoys playing video games, occasionally sitting down and learning a new programming language.

Kim Blackman joins Charity Navigator as our Human Resources Coordinator. In this role she will support daily HR functions such as payroll, recruiting, onboarding, and employee engagement. With over 15 years of experience in the HR field, she has held many roles ranging from administrative support, employee relations and payroll, and benefit specialist. One of her favorite parts about HR is getting to know the employees and being able to assist them on all levels. When not working, Kim loves spending time with her husband and learning how to navigate the parenting role of adult children without overstepping the boundaries, shopping, crafting, and adding to her collections of Starbucks cups and pretty funky pens.

Nancy Duncan serves Charity Navigator as the Vice President, Human Resources. In this role she partners with leadership to serve as an influential player in the areas of performance and talent management, workplace health, organizational design, and change management to develop internal expertise and support the growth of the organization. She joins Charity Navigator with over 25 years of Human Resources experience, with the last 10 in the non-profit sector. Nancy holds a BS in Business Administration and MBA from Old Dominion University. In her free time you will find her playing games with her husband and two daughters, relaxing at the beach or attempting to recreate crafts she finds on Pinterest.

Laura joins Charity Navigator as our Executive Assistant. In her role, she will support the CEO and be the primary coordinator between the Executive Team and the Board of Directors. As the first point of contact, Laura plays a pivotal role in communications with all outside stakeholders. She has spent the last 11 years supporting executives and business operations in varying capacities including as Executive Assistant, Chief of Staff, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from James Madison University. She is passionate about process, optimization, and achieving business goals. In her free time, she is always in the kitchen baking treats or trying new recipes for her husband and two children.

Nancy ensures smooth daily operations, including leadership of our finance, human resources, and office management functions. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Nancy worked for an international human rights organization and coordinated humanitarian aid shipments to the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. She has a degree in political science from William Paterson University.

Michael leads Charity Navigator in its efforts to make impactful philanthropy easier for all by increasing the breadth and depth of evaluation methodologies to facilitate ratings coverage of substantially larger numbers of charities and expand how the information engages new and existing audiences. Prior to joining Charity Navigator Michael spent more than fifteen years with Microsoft, the last ten of which, as their Public-Sector Chief Technology Officer responsible for technology policy initiatives and engagements with governments and academic leaders in Asia, the Middle-East and Africa. Michael's eclectic background includes years at sea conducting oceanographic research with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, composing music and dancing internationally as the co-founder and co-director of Dance Music Light. He has held various board positions within the nonprofit and tech sector, holds several patents in enterprise systems management and has a degree in Music from Columbia University in New York. His guiding mantra: Follow your heart - Use your head - Make a difference

Laura Andes is an evaluation professional with 20 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors. She is the Chief Program Officer, where she oversees the development of the Encompass Rating System. Before this role, she served as Vice President of Impact Ratings. She joined Charity Navigator in 2021, having considerable experience, most notably implementing and evaluating global health programs, and developing enhanced placed-based service programs in affordable housing domestically. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and an M.P.H. from Yale University. In her free time, you will find Laura exploring the mountains near her home in Colorado with her husband and two children.

Natasha works as an analyst in the Impact Unit, where she works on evaluating the social impact of charities within the encompass system. Prior to her time at Charity Navigator, Natasha worked with multiple international non-profits on the rights of women and children. She graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Political Science and Labor Studies. She also holds a certificate in Montioring and Evaluation from New York University. In her free time, you can find her hiking with her dog, painting, or at a concert.

Kimberly joins Charity Navigator as our Development Officer leading work to make stakeholders and donors feel valued, inspired, and compelled to invest in and advance Charity Navigator’s mission to make impactful giving easier for all. She previously served as Director of Development at American Diabetes Association and as Director of Major Gifts at United Way. Kimberly received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Communications from Florida International University. Some of Kimberly’s favorite things are traveling, baking, and visiting dog parks with her lemon spotted beagle, “LimonCella.” She is a Florida native and mother of two who recently developed a love of cycling and rides a carbon fiber road bike more than 200 miles per week.

Julia helps aid with day-to-day operations of the office. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Social Work and International Relations. Before joining Charity Navigator, she worked at an intercultural communication program located in Tel Aviv to help foster youth relationships. In her free time, she loves to spend her time outdoors or practicing yoga.

Kim Blackman joins Charity Navigator as our Human Resources Coordinator. In this role she will support daily HR functions such as payroll, recruiting, onboarding, and employee engagement. With over 15 years of experience in the HR field, she has held many roles ranging from administrative support, employee relations and payroll, and benefit specialist. One of her favorite parts about HR is getting to know the employees and being able to assist them on all levels. When not working, Kim loves spending time with her husband and learning how to navigate the parenting role of adult children without overstepping the boundaries, shopping, crafting, and adding to her collections of Starbucks cups and pretty funky pens.

Don is responsible for leading technology initiatives at Charity Navigator. Prior to joining the team, Don was a leader in the cloud business at IBM where he focused on software engineering, product management, and strategy. Don has over 25 years of experience developing and delivering software in both large enterprises and early stage startups. He specializes in cloud platforms, Software-as-a-Service, middleware, and full-stack development. Don holds a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland.

Mary builds relationships with foundations leveraging their support to ensure the continued success of Charity Navigator. Mary brings development, volunteer management, and community engagement experience from several local organizations and values being highly engaged in her local community. She is a member of the Junior League, Leadership Norman Class ‘23, and volunteers for several organizations. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ issues and women’s rights. Mary enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family in her free time.

Maizy assists in daily operations, development, and innovations at Charity Navigator’s Alert System. She shows up every day with an eagerness to learn and a plethora of questions. Maizy is a recent graduate of Miami University where she graduated with an M.A. in Political Science. When not at work she enjoys reading, watching movies, listening to music, and playing hockey.

Along with his primary responsibilities of charity data collection, research, analysis, and evaluation, Kevin works towards improving the evaluation system and process. Before he joined Charity Navigator, Kevin worked as a community organizer and field manager with Clean Water Action, a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting the environment and public health. He graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in Psychology. Kevin spends his time playing board and computer games, reading 1920s mystery novels, and trying to explain why the Tour de France is awesome to anyone who will listen.

Nancy Duncan serves Charity Navigator as the Vice President, Human Resources. In this role she partners with leadership to serve as an influential player in the areas of performance and talent management, workplace health, organizational design, and change management to develop internal expertise and support the growth of the organization. She joins Charity Navigator with over 25 years of Human Resources experience, with the last 10 in the non-profit sector. Nancy holds a BS in Business Administration and MBA from Old Dominion University. In her free time you will find her playing games with her husband and two daughters, relaxing at the beach or attempting to recreate crafts she finds on Pinterest.

Moustafa holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the Grove School of Engineering at City College of New York. He develops and maintains Charity Navigator's website and internal applications. Moustafa is a technology enthusiast and a social entrepreneur; prior to Charity Navigator he launched an Education Technology startup to help low-income K-12 students go on educational school field trips. Aside from programming and playing soccer, his interests include education, youth development, and civil rights.

Kyle is responsible for leading the Development team's efforts to raise the resources needed to expand the breadth and depth of our ratings and resources. Before joining Charity Navigator in 2017, Kyle was in electoral politics, fundraising for candidates and political committees. Kyle earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas. In his free time, Kyle enjoys spending quality time with his wife, three kids, two dogs, two cats, and five chickens, as well as rooting for his Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

Ben leads Charity Navigator’s exploration of new revenue opportunities, fundraising around these opportunities, and associated product development. In the immediate future, he is focused on growing Charity Navigator’s API, exploring corporate giving, and expanding list-based giving— to make impactful giving easier for all. Before its acquisition by Charity Navigator, Ben was the founder of Causeway, a tech startup that makes it easy to create and curate a personal giving portfolio. Prior to Causeway, Ben was a Global Ecosystems Lead at Facebook, growing its products in emerging markets. Ben’s background also includes time with U.S. Senate and Presidential Campaigns and at the design consultancy Prophet. He is the co-founder of OpenCampaign, an open-source library of campaign documents. He has a degree in Anthropology from Haverford College.

With a dynamic blend of creativity and strategy, Winchelle Jean-Pierre is a Marketing Associate at Charity Navigator, where they drive impactful campaigns to elevate the visibility and influence of nonprofits. Armed with a background in digital marketing and a passion for social good, Winchelle crafts compelling narratives and innovative strategies to connect donors with causes they care about. Their expertise lies in leveraging data-driven insights to enhance brand presence and engagement across various channels.Winchelle is dedicated to amplifying the voices of charitable organizations and ensuring they reach their fullest potential in making a difference. Outside of work, Winchelle enjoys singing, acting, film and cinema as well as being a positive force for her loved ones and those close to her.

Nicholas Leask joins Charity Navigator as our Sr. Software Engineer. He is a key part of our cross-functional team responsible for the full software development life cycle, from conception to deployment. Nic is a versatile full-stack software engineer driven by a desire to harness technology for practical problem-solving. Possessing technical and non-technical experience in both startups and enterprises, Nic has previously played an instrumental role in conceiving, developing, and maintaining a diverse array of software applications, ranging from websites to enterprise systems. He's genuinely committed to leveraging his technical prowess for creating a positive impact on our global community. At his present role of Senior Software Engineer, he's channeling his skills as a dedicated member of the Charity Navigator team and striving to expand the organization's capacity to empower people to give with confidence.

Monique joins Charity Navigator as our Content Manager. In this position she plays a crucial role in supporting a holistic content strategy and crafting compelling and impactful content for our donor and nonprofit audiences. Monique has spent her career supporting nonprofits and social impact organizations through marketing, communication, and development work. Before Charity Navigator, Monique was the Director of Storytelling at 4.0 where she led the marketing and communication strategies to amplify stories of impact from the community and their mission for education innovation. While at 4.0, she also worked in fundraising, raising and managing a multimillion-dollar portfolio. Monique also worked for the PFM Group and National Resource Network supporting state and local governments on finance and operational reform. She completed her B.A in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies at Louisiana State University. Monique was born and raised in Louisiana and now resides in Fort Worth, TX with her husband and two cats. She enjoys cooking, traveling, writing, and working on multiple craft projects at once.

Monica joins Charity Navigator as the Sr. Digital Marketing Manager. In this role, she will directly support Marketing and Development helping to leverage data and technology to create an impactful and engaging digital experience. Before Charity Navigator, Monica has 10+ years' experience working at a digital marketing agency geared specifically towards non-profit organizations, as well as experience directly working at non-profits. In her free time, you will find her at one of her three kids' various sporting events, baking, working on DIY projects, or planning for all things Christmas!

Anjana is an Program Analyst who contributes to data collection and assists in the evaluation of numerous charities. She has a B.A in Economics from SUNY Old Westbury, and is currently enrolled in graduate school at Baruch College getting an MPA. She is well versed in academic writing and research, having been a research assistant throughout college and graduate school. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading and cooking.

Leslie leads the marketing and communication strategies for Charity Navigator. Her primary responsibilities include increasing brand awareness and engagement from donors and non-profit organizations. Before joining Charity Navigator, she has 25 years of experience leading marketing teams at companies ranging from start-ups to fortune 500s. Leslie excels at delivering innovation, cost-effective strategies and technology solutions. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Gettysburg College. In her free time, she enjoys time with her husband, 2 daughters and 2 crazy dogs. She also loves her many hobbies including hiking, peloton-ing, paddle boarding, gardening, painting, volunteering for non-profit organizations, and book clubs.

Laura joins Charity Navigator as our Executive Assistant. In her role, she will support the CEO and be the primary coordinator between the Executive Team and the Board of Directors. As the first point of contact, Laura plays a pivotal role in communications with all outside stakeholders. She has spent the last 11 years supporting executives and business operations in varying capacities including as Executive Assistant, Chief of Staff, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from James Madison University. She is passionate about process, optimization, and achieving business goals. In her free time, she is always in the kitchen baking treats or trying new recipes for her husband and two children.

As the Project Management Officer, Lisa brings over 20 years of experience in the digital space to Charity Navigator. Her previous experience includes journalism at several local newspapers in Central California, and the natural health industry at Nordic Naturals. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with friends and attending cultural events.

Marissa serves as a Software Engineer on the Engineering Team. Before Charity Navigator, Marissa worked at other non-profit organizations, focusing on housing, civil rights, and human services. She is fascinated by the intersections between technology and community-building and is a life-long learner.

Alex corresponds with nonprofits and donors, providing initial support for the Encompass and Star systems, as well as the nonprofit portals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago. Alex has a professional background in communications and technology and has worked with nonprofit, government, and business sectors. Outside of work, she creates art that supports biodiversity and awareness of environmental issues.

Jennifer is currently a member of the Impact Unit as a Program and Ratings Manager, working on evaluating the social impact of charities as part of the Encompass Rating System. Before joining Charity Navigator, she worked as an analyst for a human-wildlife conflict initiative based in Nairobi, Kenya. She holds an MBA with a focus in Nonprofit Management and Environmental Sustainability from Boston University and a B.S. from College of Charleston. In her free time, she loves paddleboarding, hiking and spending time outdoors with her dogs, and planning her next trip.

Lea joined Charity Navigator in 2022 to direct the development of methodologies for evaluating the social impact of charities at scale for the Impact and Ratings Beacon. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of California at Davis. She comes to Charity Navigator from the academic sector where she worked for 10 years measuring health and nutrition outcomes with an emphasis on interventions affecting marginalized populations. Outside of work, Lea loves spending time in the Sierra foothills where she lives (especially on the region's amazing lakes and rivers), traveling to new places, listening to live music, and laughing and relaxing with friends and family.

Nancy ensures smooth daily operations, including leadership of our finance, human resources, and office management functions. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Nancy worked for an international human rights organization and coordinated humanitarian aid shipments to the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. She has a degree in political science from William Paterson University.

When not programming Ramandeep enjoys playing video games, occasionally sitting down and learning a new programming language.

Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Matt was employed as an analyst with a Wall Street investment firm. He has a degree in finance from Binghamton University. An avid sports fan, he roots for the New Jersey Devils, New York Yankees and the New York Giants. When not in the office, he enjoys playing golf, reading and most of all, spending time with his family.

Natalie joined Charity Navigator in 2022 as the research manager for the Impact and Results Beacon. Prior to Charity Navigator, Natalie worked on a large-scale impact evaluation based in Ethiopia as a Congressional Hunger Fellow with the International Food Policy Research Institute. She holds a master’s degree in Agriculture, Food, and the Environment from Tufts University. An environmentalist at heart, Natalie received her undergraduate degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and worked in Guinea as an agroforestry extension volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps.

Zachary is responsible for the operations of Charity Navigator's Advisory System. From the day to day operations of the program to guiding the continuous improvement and development within that system, he tackles every task in front of him with an eye towards consistency, fairness, and innovation. Zachary also serves as the Chair of Charity Navigator's Advisory Issuance Committee, from whom he gathers invaluable feedback, insight, and consensus for all Advisory related decisions. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Zach graduated from Boston College with an M.A. in English Literature. When not at work, Zach can be found reading, gaming, hiking, and engaging in whatever nerdery catches his interest in the moment.</p>

Mary has joined Charity Navigator in the role of Development Assistant. She holds a B.A. in Political Science/Public Administration from Montclair State University and recently earned her M.P.A. in Public Administration/Nonprofit Management from Seton Hall University. Mary has several years of experience with various Higher Education nonprofit institutions. Outside of work, Mary enjoys spending time with her family, theater, and baseball as a loyal NY Mets fan.