Staff
Charity Navigator is led by a small but mighty team of experts bound by a passion for philanthropy by all and for all, enabled through technology, and dedicated to leadership, collaboration, equity, fairness, and usefulness for donors and charities.
- Everyone
- Leadership
- Programs
- Marketing & Development
- Engineering
- Finance & Operations
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.</p> His guiding mantra: Follow your heart - Use your head - Make a difference
Alayne Anderson serves Charity Navigator as the Human Resources Coordinator. She supports all HR functions including recruiting, administration, improving internal processes, and cultural initiatives. Alayne joined Charity Navigator after several years of leadership and HR experience in the nonprofit sector and experience in the tech start-up space. With a passion for healthy, diverse teams, she is excited to see Charity Navigator lead the nonprofit sector as a positive workplace making a meaningful 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.
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.
Ofira joined Charity Navigator to facilitate the research and development of the organization's impact framework and contribute to the evolution of the rating methodology. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University, an M.S.W. from New York University, an Ed.S. in Leadership and Administration from Seton Hall, and completed doctoral courses in Social Policy at Columbia University. Her prior experience in the nonprofit sector includes fundraising, public school administration, adolescent counseling, case management for children with special needs and adults with mental illness, and coordinating support services for adults with developmental disabilities. Outside of work, Ofira enjoys spending time with her family, watching British television, and traveling.
Zachary works as an analyst in Charity Navigator's Impact Unit, where he develops methodology for rating charities on social impact. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, he earned his BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford. He is passionate about promoting the careful use of evidence and reason in political, economic, and philanthropic decision-making. A former zoo caricature artist, he's a prolific doodler. He also enjoys playing guitar, going to concerts, and reading outside.
Michael is a Ratings Program Analyst working with Charity Navigator's Culture & Community Beacon. Michael has received a M.S. in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and dual Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Biomedical Sciences from the University of Central Florida. Coming from a strong career background in the DEI space, Michael is excited to work with Charity Navigator to discover and improve methodologies in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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.
Grace works directly with Charity Navigator supporters to create leadership level gifts to ensure the continued growth and success of the organization. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Grace raised vital funds for organizations addressing issues ranging from sustainable agriculture, to arts and culture institutions, most recently Tenement Museum in Manhattan. She holds a degree in Sociology and Studio Art from Dartmouth College. She is passionate about LGBTQ+ advocacy and arts & culture. In her free time, Grace enjoys home decorating, art openings, and book clubs.
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 managing Charity Navigator's use of email, mail, and digital communications to help increase resources. A proud Jayhawk, Kyle graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Political Science. He comes to Charity Navigator with a strong background in monthly donor programs as well as mid-level and major donor stewardship. When he's not working, Kyle enjoys exploring new dog parks with his wife and two dogs, trying to convince his two cats to like him, and all things basketball.
Crystal executes the digital marketing strategy, with a focus on optimizing channels and analyzing engagement. She has experience in the SaaS, financial, and healthcare industries, and enjoys leveraging marketing technology to come up with creative solutions to challenges. The past couple years brought her closer to the nonprofit sector, mainly through volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and a local women's shelter. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her Little (Mya), horseback riding, and anything nerdy.
Noelani has been active in nonprofit work for over 25 years. Noelani Pearl Hernandez has over two decades of nonprofit management experience working in development, public relations, board management, nonprofit/ campaign strategy, civil rights, social justice, and diversity/ inclusion; this vast experience gives her a unique view of the world, helping organizations thrive and pivot. Through her in-depth understanding of how things can go amazingly right and incredibly wrong in a nonprofit, she has created comprehensive plans for nonprofits to be successful by coaching them to raise millions of dollars, conducting Board Retreats/Trainings, developing strategic plans, designing theories of change, producing metric-based goals, forming diversity, equity, and inclusion plans and devising leadership transition plans. Noelani was the first Filipina America elected to her school board in the Bay Area. She served as the board’s first woman of color President. Noelani was awarded one of the Most Influential Filipina Woman in World Award, Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 40 under 40 awards, and was inducted into the East Side Union School District Hall of Fame. She and her husband, Albert (the Love of her Life) live with their blended families, her daughter, and her three bonus children. Noelani earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Santa Clara University and holds certifications in High Conflict Management, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Work Place, and is a Certified Professional in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Organizational Change.
Along with the rest of the analyst team, Yessenia evaluates star rated charities and connects with charity representatives and donors. She graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration and she is currently enrolled in a Master of Public Administration program. Yessenia previously worked as an engagement manager for an education based nonprofit, and also has experience in philanthropic fundraising and program development. In free time, Yessenia enjoys practicing yoga, skateboarding, and traveling.
Anjana is an Associate 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.
As the Technical Project Manager, 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 Backend Developer 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.
Kevin is responsible for building the Charity Navigator brand, creating awareness and advocacy, and increasing support to the organization through all channels. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Kevin oversaw marketing technology and the strategic use of data at Smile Train, the world's largest cleft charity. Kevin earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Arts degree in communication from Monmouth University. In his free time, Kevin spends quality time with his wife and their five dogs and enjoys collecting and restoring arcade cabinets and video game consoles.
Tyler designs, develops and maintains the Charity Navigator website and charity profile pages. He has a Nanodegree in Web Development from Udacity, a M.A. in Counseling and Psychotherapy from Seattle University, and a B.A. in Anthropology from Dartmouth College. When not working, he enjoys gaming and collecting sticks and acorns with his 7-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son on walks around the block.
Dr. Jeanette Shutay has over 20 years of experience applying advanced analytics and data science concepts to solve complex problems across multiple disciplines and industries. Jeanette has served as a corporate data science leader, as well as an independent consultant where she helped non-profits, the federal government, and educational institutions with program evaluation, research, data processing, and analysis. Over the past seven years, Jeanette has been focusing more specifically on building out data science and engineering teams within billion-dollar companies, and developing predictive analytics software using machine learning, AI, and Cloud platforms.
As an Impact Analyst with Charity Navigator’s Impact Unit, Rose works to design methodologies for assessing the effect of various nonprofit interventions. She is passionate about using data to quantify the impact of nonprofit and government policies to promote the most socially efficient uses of our limited resources. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Rose worked as staff on a gubernatorial race in her home state, where she helped to elect the first female and openly lesbian governor of Massachusetts. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Syracuse University. Outside of work, Rose loves to hit the mountains to go hiking, climbing, skiing, or running.
As a member of Charity Navigator's marketing team, Stacy helps to lead the organization's marketing and communications efforts, including its media relations. She earned a Master's degree in Diplomacy from the University of Westminster in London and a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Iona College in New York. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Stacy held posts in the areas of marketing, communications, sales and business development crossing different industries and sectors, including professional services, luxury goods retail and broadcasting. Stacy's central focus is her large, diverse and mostly, foreign-based family. She enjoys the 'sport' of brunch and adventurous eating, travels the world and can be found at concerts. She is passionate about mentoring, volunteering and teaching English as a foreign and second language, and holds immense pride for her family's long history of service and support to community and country.
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.
Kayla is a development associate helping to grow Charity Navigator's individual giving and providing donor support. She is a graduate of Cleveland State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Nonprofit Administration. Prior to joining Charity Navigator, Kayla volunteered and worked with community-based organizations dedicated to providing impactful programs and services. Those experiences allowed her to gain skills in cultivating and managing constituent and donor relationships, data integrity, and communications. When not at work, Kayla loves to hike through the Metroparks and teach dance at a community studio.
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.
Katlin joined Charity Navigator in 2022 as the Executive Assistant to CEO & President, Michael Thatcher, and serves on the Administrative team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy from Texas State University. She is passionate about administrative and operations processes, as well as the non-profit sector. Katlin is a proud member of the Official Liverpool FC Supporters Club of Austin (YNWA!). As a local Austinite, she enjoys hiking, going to local food-trucks and in-door gardening in her free time.
Interested in Joining Our Team?
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