PRESS RELEASE: SADIE NASH LEADERSHIP PROJECT BRINGS ON FIVE NEW BOARD MEMBERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12th, 2025
4W 43rd St, Suite 502
New York, NY 10036
For more information, contact:
Marissa Hatten
Senior Director of Strategic Advancement
Office # (212) 391-8664
Sadie Nash Leadership Project, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women and gender-expansive youth of color through leadership development, is excited to announce the appointment of five new members to its Board of Directors: Nicole Norton, Jomaira Salas Pujos, Juliana Durrant, Ashley Abid, and Mumtaz Cooper. As part of this new cohort, Sadie Nash Leadership Project also welcomed three new constituent members to its Board of Directors—two alumni, and one current Nasher. These members hold full voting rights, reflecting SNLP’s commitment to youth leadership and shared governance. By engaging young people directly in board decision-making and staff hiring, Sadie Nash ensures that its strategies remain grounded in the priorities and perspectives of those it serves. Their experience and commitment to Sadie Nash’s values of social justice and liberation, community, leadership, and transformative learning will support our organization during this moment of growth.
Meet the New Board Members
Nicole Norton (she/her), Senior User Experience & Design Strategist at PwC
Nicole is a highly strategic creative professional with 25 years of digital strategy, project management, digital development, and client management expertise. Prior to PwC, she delivered high-impact initiatives for globally recognized clients such as Microsoft, Kraft, and Johnson & Johnson. While at PwC, she has led and helped develop strategies for application development, marketing integration, user listening and digital adoption.
Jomaira Salas Pujols (she/her), Director of Research and Evaluation Strategies, Race Forward & Former SNLP Faculty
Jomaira is a community-based researcher and educator who uses research, program evaluation, and evidence to transform social systems and build power among communities of color. In her current position as Director of Research and Evaluation Strategies at Race Forward she designs and implements research methodologies to evaluate the impact of organizational programs and external partnerships.
Ashley Abid (she/her), Nasher Alum & Data Manager at Mount Sinai Health System
Ashley co-founded the startup Skinterest to address barriers in dermatology care for skin of color and was recognized by Forbes in 2020 as a Rising Startup to Watch for pioneering solutions in healthcare and dermatology. As a Sadie Nash program participant and ongoing supporter, she created a free SHSAT test prep program, facilitated workshops on topics including health literacy and financial aid, and mentored underrepresented youth in STEM.
Juliana Durrant (she/her), Nasher Alum & Substitute Teacher NYC Department of Education
Juliana is a multidisciplinary artist and educator with a BFA in Theater from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Trained at the Meisner Studio, she blends creativity, adaptability, and coordination in roles spanning the arts, education, youth leadership, and community impact. Her experience includes supporting the Sadie Nash Leadership Project and teaching across Queens for the NYC Department of Education.
Mumtaz Cooper (she/her), Current Nasher & Activist
Mumtaz has participated in Sadie Nash programs: Summer Institute, Leadership Scholars and Siblinghood Academy. Besides Sadie Nash, she serves as President of her school’s UNICEF and Future Business Leaders chapters. She is also the founder of Pencils Not Prisons and has a book coming out titled, “The Classroom Was Never Neutral.”
The appointment of these board members comes as Sadie Nash Leadership Project aims to deepen and expand our impact based on our strategic visioning.
“Our new board members represent leadership that is bold, grounded, and deeply connected to community,” said Tené Adero Howard, Executive Director of Sadie Nash Leadership Project. “We’re especially proud to welcome our constituent members. Their voices keep us rooted in the realities and brilliance of the young people we serve, and their insight will help shape how we grow in the years ahead.”
About Sadie Nash Leadership Project (SNLP)
Sadie Nash Leadership Project’s mission is to strengthen, empower, and equip young women and gender-expansive youth of color as agents for change in their lives and the world. Operating at the intersections of love and rigor, we use the methodology of popular education to build community, critical consciousness, and college and career readiness.
Our vision is of a world that centers on the experiences and leadership of young women and gender-expansive youth of color — building on their perspective, commitment, and brilliance to be a healthier, safer, and more just society for us all.
Our Awards include:
Brooklyn Community Foundation Spark Prize (2020)
Diane von Furstenberg People’s Voice Award Finalist (2017)
National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award presented by Former First Lady, Michelle Obama (2013)
Excellence in Summer Learning Award from the National Summer Learning Association (2010)
New York Times Gold Prize Winner for Overall Nonprofit Management Excellence (2010)
For more information, visit: www.sadienash.org | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
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