Meet our Team
Natasha Herdman
Founding CEO
As Founding CEO of Pawsperity, formerly known as The Grooming Project, Natasha Herdman believes in a two-generation approach to breaking the cycle of poverty. Basic needs for food and shelter must be met before a parent can focus on guiding children through school and out of poverty, so a living-wage, family-flexible career for the parent is key. Natasha’s innovative approach to breaking the cycle of poverty and proven success has received several awards and the attention of a national catalyst foundation.
Natasha has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Iowa and an Executive Master’s degree in public administration from the UMKC Bloch School. She is passionate about working with mothers and fathers with multiple barriers to entering the workforce, such as low reading skills, severe trauma, or past incarceration and brings experience in both staff and volunteer roles for Healing House, Reach Out and Read, Community LINC and Stop Child Trafficking Now to the EPEC project. Natasha enjoys spending time with her two kids ages 16 and 12.
Staff
Director of Development and Community Relations
Jennifer Strickland – jstrickland@pawsperity.org
Director of Grooming
Lacey Adair – ladair@pawsperity.org
Director of Operations
Eric Pommier – epommier@pawsperity.org
Director of Pet Care Services
Ellie Fogleman – efogleman@pawsperity.org
Director of Student Services
Mark Churchill – mchurchill@pawsperity.org
Development and Grants Manager
Abby Jaskolski – ajaskolski@pawsperity.org