Natalie Cook

Natalie earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Siena College, concentrating on the dynamics of wealth and power. She moved to Western New York to earn her Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in Community Development from the University at Buffalo.

After working with community coalitions as a Community Impact Coordinator with Oishei’s Mobile Safety-Net Team, Natalie joined the core foundation team in 2020, bringing a broad range of nonprofit experiences to her position, from public health and placemaking to food systems and grant writing.

Her diverse background feeds Natalie’s passion for operationalizing change.

In the face of every system designed to hold the East Side and its Black residents back, stands the resilience, love, dedication, talent, and commitment of generations of community builders.