Meet Natasha, our Sr. Manager, Development Projects at Daily Bread Food Bank. As an integral part of the Development team for the last five years, she manages annual campaigns and programs that include Make the Season Kind, Give 30, and a series of cultivation communications and impact reports for Daily Bread donors.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
My year is very cyclical. What I’m working on in a day is dependent on the campaign I’m overseeing. We’re currently in the middle of our Make the Season Kind campaign, but we start planning for it in the summer and the later half of the year is focused on getting everything together and organized, with things really ramping up in October until the end of January. February will typically kick-off planning for the Give 30 campaign during Ramadan, and then throughout the year I support the development of our impact reports and our cultivation communications.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
I love how dynamic it is, and I enjoy being able to support the team in the way that I do. If I had to describe my time at Daily Bread, it would be soul-nourishing and it means a lot to me to get to support the mission of the organization and to work alongside so many amazing people.
What has been your greatest professional achievement?
Ever since I started at Daily Bread, I’ve wanted to change the School Challenge (part of the Make the Season Kind campaign), and have it shift from a collection of non-perishable food to something that is connected to curriculum. When it was time to reimagine the School Challenge this year, that’s when I saw the opportunity to bring this idea to fruition. This project was a partnership between our team and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario to create an engaging way of teaching students about poverty and food insecurity. It took months of work, but I’m so proud of how it came together.
What made you decide to join the Daily Bread team?
I was initially interested in the role because it felt like a culmination of all my previous experience. Daily Bread’s mission resonated with me, and I wanted an opportunity where I could come back to a non-profit organization. I had previously served under our CEO, Neil’s, leadership at Habitat for Humanity, so it just felt right!
What are some of your hobbies?
I really enjoy doing pottery and creating art (Natasha will often gift some of her amazing creations to members of the team). I also enjoy going to art openings and visiting galleries. Dancing is another hobby of mine!
What’s your favourite movie?
I don’t have a favourite movie, but I do have a favourite genre, and that is sci-fi! I like the element of fantasy and the sense of escape that it gives viewers.
What are people often surprised to learn about you?
People are often surprised to learn that I lived in Pakistan for two years and that I’ve met Mother Teresa.
Thank you, Natasha, for your leadership on so many of our campaigns! We’re so grateful for your work behind the scenes and your dedication to supporting Daily Bread’s mission over the last five years.
