Our Advisory and Board of Directors
Nathalie Gauthier, Senior Advisor
Nathalie is a vice president on the Internal Communications team at State Street, with a primary focus of partnering with all corporate functions on their strategic communications plans for the workforce worldwide. With over 16 years of experience, she has developed and executed strategic communications and analytics initiatives for State Street Global Human Resources division, and previously for the Talent Marketplace, Global Markets Technology Project Management Office, Global Operations – Risk Excellence, Corporate Finance and Global Procurement Services.
Inclusion, diversity and belonging initiatives are ever-present passions for Nathalie at State Street and in the community. At State Street, she is the co-chair for the Professional Women’s Network (PWN) - Mass chapter and PWN Americas region lead, after leading the Black Professionals Group for over 6 years, and before that VP of Public Relations for Toastmasters. She was also the workstream lead for #10 (focused on Reflection and Civic Engagement) of State Street’s 10 Actions in Addressing Racism and Inequality. For her efforts, she was selected as State Street first Women’s Bond Club Rising Star in 2020, honoree for Leadership and Impact with Dress for Success in 2023, and most recently one of the upcoming awardees for YW Boston in 2026.
In the Boston community, Nathalie is a fellow founding member of the Women’s Dinner Group. She currently serves as Board of Trustees member of Neighborhood House Charter School, and advisory board member of Bentley University - Center for Women in Business, and Career Agility. She is also a member of the AJS Haitian Connection Group. Previously, she served on the board for National Black MBA Association – Boston Chapter as Vice President of Operations and Corporate Relations Director, Tomorrow’s Women Today and Communities for Haitian Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups (C.H.E.S.).
Ms. Gauthier graduated from Bentley University with a B.S. in Marketing. She is also a graduate of the Bentley Leadership Accelerator Certificate, Diversity Leadership Associates Program at The Partnership, and the Management Accelerator Program at McKinsey. Her most fulfilling honor is being mother of son, Javon and adopted son, Kevin.
Rishika Thulasi, Director of Communications
Rishika is a UX researcher and designer with a background in Human Factors and Information Design from Bentley University and a foundation in computer engineering from BITS Pilani Dubai. She has worked across academia, consulting, and industry, leading research studies, designing complex digital experiences, and translating user behavior into clear product strategy. Her work spans fintech, AI-driven decision-making, and enterprise design, and she’s passionate about building products that make people think less and do more.
Originally from India and Dubai and now based in Boston, she brings a global design perspective and a calm, structured approach to messy problems. Outside of work, she loves dogs and explores new cuisines with the enthusiasm of someone who considers “try everything once” a personal hobby.
Karima Ricketts, Senior Advisor
Kae Ricketts is a Multifaceted mother, strategist, philanthropist, serial entrepreneur and coach. She has been able to harness the power of her late-diagnosed neurodivergence to fuel her passion for elevating and empowering others. This takes different forms depending on the setting she is in and who she is supporting.
In her coaching, she helps individuals, entrepreneurs, and professionals embrace their authenticity and build lives, businesses and careers that reflect their purpose and values. She has guided countless clients to shift their mindsets, harness their uniqueness, and define their own versions of success by aligning their passions with their goals and the different aspects of who they are.
In her day job and consulting work, she helps leaders and organizations think outside the box to improve performance, eliminate inefficiencies, and grow sustainably through stronger team dynamics, streamlined processes, and smarter systems.
Kae has dual bachelor’s degrees from Bentley University, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Simmons University, and multiple certifications in process improvement, change management, strategic business processes, resilience, and professional leadership coaching and facilitation under her belt, Kae is the definition of Multifaceted!
Chelsea Austin, Director of Fundraising & Corporate Relations
Chelsea Austin is a nonprofit and corporate relations professional with over a decade of experience spanning sales, marketing, and strategic partnerships across the software, technology, and public sectors. She has previously served as Sr. Philanthropy Officer at Project Learn and as Associate Director of Corporate Relations at the Museum of Science, where she helps build and steward high-impact relationships with corporate and foundation partners in support of the museum’s mission, programs, and long-term sustainability.
Chelsea brings a strong background in revenue generation, account management, and stakeholder engagement, with hands-on experience leveraging CRM platforms such as Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as data-driven outreach and social media strategies. She is deeply passionate about creating positive social impact, advancing equity, and fostering a culture of curiosity, learning, and opportunity.
Darsana Thulasi, Director of Financial Operations
Darsana is a Principal Software Development Engineer in Test at MathWorks, where she works on building and evolving test infrastructure to support hardware connectivity for the MATLAB programming language. She earned her M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and her B.E. (Hons.) in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from BITS Pilani.
A curious and thoughtful problem-solver, Darsana enjoys staying engaged through projects that let her be both analytical and creative. She joined NBMBAA with a community-first perspective, focused on strengthening financial processes, increasing transparency, and bringing clarity to how resources are planned and used.
Janel Juba, Director of Corporate Relations
Janel is a people-centered workforce and talent development leader with a strong commitment to building meaningful partnerships that help individuals, organizations, and communities grow together. With extensive experience across higher education, workforce development, and early-career talent pipelines, she has dedicated her career to creating pathways that connect opportunity to potential- particularly for students, early professionals, and historically underrepresented talent.
Throughout her work with institutions such as Northeastern University, Simmons University, UMass Dartmouth, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Year Up United, as well as industry partners across biotech, construction, the blue economy, hospitality, and tourism, Janel has led employer engagement and corporate partnership strategies that align talent development with real workforce and business needs. She is widely recognized for cultivating trusted relationships that support internships, experiential learning opportunities, sponsorships, and sustainable, long-term talent pipelines.
At her core, Janel is motivated by service and impact. She finds fulfillment in helping individuals navigate career transitions, uncover their strengths, and step confidently into what’s next—while supporting organizations in building corporate partnerships and talent ecosystems that truly work for people.
Michael Mensah, Director of IT & Cybersecurity
Michael Mensah is a dynamic technology leader, entrepreneur, and problem-solver dedicated to empowering organizations through secure, modern, and scalable IT solutions. As the Founder and CEO of Techchanan LLC, Michael partners with healthcare, finance, nonprofit, and small business organizations to deliver enterprise-grade cybersecurity, identity management, cloud migrations, and endpoint protection. His work blends deep technical expertise with a commitment to helping businesses operate safely and efficiently in today’s digital landscape.
Michael’s professional journey reflects versatility and consistent excellence. After serving as a Technical Support Analyst at Disney’s DE&E Support Center—supporting mission-critical broadcast systems, production environments, ENPS provisioning, and high-volume technical operations—he transitioned into a more advanced engineering role with HCLTech America, contracted to National Grid, where he currently works as a Senior IT Field Engineer. In this role, Michael delivers hands-on technical support, infrastructure troubleshooting, device deployments, field engineering escalations, and enterprise IT solutions that keep critical business operations running smoothly.
In addition to his career accomplishments, Michael serves as the Director of IT & Systems for the National Black MBA Association – Boston Chapter. There, he leads secure SharePoint architecture, governance frameworks, and compliance-driven technology systems that enhance collaboration and organizational efficiency.
Driven by excellence, faith, and a passion for community impact, Michael is known for his integrity, resilience, and dedication to helping people and organizations thrive. Whether he’s building IT infrastructures, securing digital identities, supporting mission-critical operations, or engineering field-level solutions, he brings unmatched professionalism and a commitment to innovation.
Tiffany Cooper, Director of Organizational and Wellness Brand Strategist
Tiffany Cooper, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience supporting individuals across inpatient, outpatient, group home, and forensic settings. Raised in Dorchester, MA, Tiffany is deeply committed to the healing of the Black community. She specializes in working with Black women navigating the pressures of work, school, and family life.
Tiffany’s clinical work is shaped by both professional training and lived experience, including her understanding of racial trauma and the toll of chronic overextension. She helps women prioritize rest, set boundaries, and reclaim their time and peace as essential to well-being.
Tiffany holds a Master of Social Work from Simmons University and a joint Juris Doctorate/Masters in Business Administration from Suffolk University.
Gregory Rodney, Director of Marketing
Gregory Rodney is a business and marketing leader who is passionate about helping organizations clarify their message, strengthen their brand, and drive sustainable growth. His background spans brand strategy, finance, entrepreneurship, and community leadership, with a focus on helping businesses grow in ways that create lasting impact.
Gregory have led marketing initiatives for early-stage ventures, including serving as Head of Marketing for a startup, where he built brand positioning, go-to-market strategy, and community growth frameworks. He's also worked in the esports space, supporting initiatives through strategic analysis, audience development, and growth planning. These experiences have strengthened his ability to build community-driven brands in both traditional and emerging industries.
Before transitioning fully into business and marketing leadership, Gregory was a professional athlete and later coached with the New England Revolution Academy. That experience continues to shape how he approaches performance, discipline, and team development. His background in competitive sports, combined with experience in digital communities and high-growth environments, gives him a unique perspective on engagement strategy, leadership, and long-term brand building.
Gregory has joined the National Black MBA Association Boston Chapter to make a meaningful difference. He's driven to support businesses and entrepreneurs, particularly those in underserved communities, who may feel overwhelmed by how to expand their reach or scale their impact. He believes strong marketing is not just about visibility, but about creating opportunity by generating revenue, creating jobs, and helping organizations better serve their communities. He aim to bring a practical and creative approach that amplifies our chapter’s voice and helps our members succeed.
Gregory holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Finance from Boston College’s Carroll Graduate School of Management, where I also served as President of the Graduate Intrapreneurship and Entrepreneurship Club, developing programming and partnerships to support emerging founders and student innovators.
Michelle Sanders, Marketing Analytics & Insights Director
Michelle Sanders, MBA, brings nearly two decades of experience in finance and operations, working with complex systems, global portfolios, and high-volume processes. Over the years, she has strengthened workflows, improved reporting transparency, and delivered insights that support sound decision-making across diverse teams and projects.
She approaches her work with a practical, data-driven mindset, turning detailed information into actionable solutions. Known for her collaborative and proactive style, Michelle builds effective processes, aligns teams, and contributes to initiatives that generate meaningful results.
Michelle holds an MBA from Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School and a Bachelor of Arts from University of Massachusetts Boston.
Zachary Basch, Social Media, Marketing & Data Analytics Intern
Zachary Basch is a senior at Curry College, originally from Michigan, currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing just outside Boston. With over 7 years of graphic design experience, dating back to his High School Career. His academic work focuses on the intersection of visual communication and strategic marketing, emphasizing purposeful and impactful design.
He currently serves as the Social Media Intern for the National Black MBA Association Boston Chapter, where he supports the organization through cohesive branding and social media initiatives. Zachary is passionate about using design as a tool to clearly and effectively showcase an organization’s mission, values, and long-term goals across digital platforms.
Outside of his internship and academic work, Zachary enjoys hiking, spending time outdoors, and streaming current movies and television shows with friends and family. These interests help inspire his creative process and contribute to a well-rounded perspective that he brings into his design and marketing efforts.