View the news release here.
Dr. Natalya Bannister Roby is a nationally recognized non-profit leader, published writer, and speaker with a track record of transforming organizations through purpose-driven culture work and social change. Natalya served as Executive Director at Pace Center for Girls in Alachua County for seven years until taking on a senior leadership role with the national office. Previously, Natalya served as the Senior Director of Operations for Pace Center for Girls, Inc., leading Executive Directors and Pace Centers statewide.
Prior to her work with Pace, Natalya served as Vice-President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Alachua County, where she earned record-breaking awards including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s highest honor, “National Honor Award for Program Excellence” 4 years consecutively.
Natalya has been profiled by numerous esteemed media publications for her leadership, advocacy, and her ability to break down social barriers. She is profiled as a “Business in Greater Gainesville’s Fierce Award” winner, a recipient of the University of Florida’s FYCS Alumni of the Year Award, and recognized as a Santa Fe College “Woman of Distinction” in North Central Florida.
Natalya graduated from the University of North Florida with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership where she conducted research to strengthen outcomes for leaders who have experienced trauma while supporting the next generation of leaders to come. In addition to her dissertation research, Natalya has had a powerful influence on UNF’s curriculum and teaching by serving as a leadership mentor – winning the “Leadership Mentor of the Year” out of more than 300 mentors throughout the nation. Her Ted Talk is now a required resource for all students completing the leadership minor. Natalya was a TedxUF speaker, where she shared her leadership philosophy, “The Power of Leading with Love.”
With leadership theories rooted in resilience, compassion, and love- her goal is to inspire individuals as they grow in their passions and embrace purpose-driven lives.