Natalie Costanzo is bringing a fresh accent to Talbot Mentors. The organization’s board of directors recently selected the Australian native as its new executive director.
Married with two children, Costanzo and her family moved to the United States from Brisbane in 2011, settling in Easton when her husband, Simon, began working as a water quality scientist at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science at Horn Point. Her own background is in environmental science and education, having worked with various conservation organizations in Australia.
Prior to joining Talbot Mentors, Costanzo served for three years as Director of Outreach and Development for the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy, but found herself wanting to work more directly with youth.
With several friends who are mentors and career experience matching Talbot Mentors’ needs, she described the opportunity as “almost meant to be.”
Fifteen years of working with nonprofit organizations has provided her with fundraising, event and project-management skills, along with more unusual talents. “I once spent a month working at an orangutan rehabilitation center in Malaysia,” she said. “It was like working with 36 toddlers, only each with four hands.”
While there were no orangutans to deal with during her first weeks with Talbot Mentors, Costanzo appreciates the support and welcome she received from the board, staff, mentors and children. “This board understands the day-to-day running of the organization,” she said. “Everyone is so supportive, it makes my job easier.”
Board member Jim Reed offered to assemble her new office desk, and used it as an opportunity to share an activity with his mentee, Jayden Taylor. “I was able to see how the program works, with something as simple as that,” said Costanzo.
Easily stepping into her new role, she urged more men and women to volunteer as mentors like Reed. “The school year is about to begin,” she added, “and we will be getting another ten or more students referred to us. We don’t want to leave those children waiting for volunteers.”
She met for the first time with many of the current mentees, their families and their mentors at a Family Fun Night at the YMCA. With her own family invited to the event, Costanzo said it was a wonderful way to be introduced to everyone and see what the organization does for the community.
She is most excited about the opportunity to link Talbot Mentors with other organizations in the area. “Talbot County is such a generous county,” she said. “There is so much already here, I want to take advantage of what other great organizations have to offer our mentors and children.”
Talbot Mentors Board President Gordon Fronk welcomed Costanzo to the leadership position, saying, “We could not have found a more perfect fit; Natalie is the ‘energizer bunny’ on steroids, ready to lead a very talented and committed staff and Board of Directors. We are excited for all those children of Talbot County whose lives will be enriched by our program under Natalie’s leadership.”
For more information, to make a contribution, or to volunteer as a mentor, call Talbot Mentors at 410-770-5999 or visit www.talbotmentors.org.
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