Team

Mariah joined the New Life Village team in 2016 after being introduced to the charity as a volunteer. Familiar with the effects of childhood trauma from her graduate work and personal experiences, as well as with the impact that mental health challenges have on a family, Mariah found “home” in the dynamic mission of New Life Village. She is entirely dedicated to the safety and stability of the Village’s children affected by both of those realities. She learned the world of construction project management and development and began further developing New Life Village’s 12 acre campus by building more affordable housing and campus amenities in 2019.

In the government, private and academic sectors, Mariah has worked in marketing/communications, project management, community relations, branding, training, instruction, diversity programs management, event management and educational programming since 2000. Mariah has volunteered for the University of Tampa Alumni Association, the University of Tampa Board of Counselors as well as the Los Angeles and Tampa Chapters of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. She received her Bachelor’s in Communications and minor in Marketing from the University of Tampa. She went on to earn her Master’s in Communications from San Diego State University and her MBA at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Mariah has completed a Certificate of Change Management and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Tampa. She has also served as an adjunct instructor at University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College. Mariah loves great food, traveling, live music her giant mastiffs and the outdoors. Email Mariah

Natalie serves as the Program Director at New Life Village, where she leads the Housing, Healing, and Resilience Program, supporting children and families impacted by foster care, trauma and housing instability. She guides the program’s strategy, design, and implementation, ensuring residents have access to the resources and support they need to experience safety, healing, and long-term growth.

In partnership with community stakeholders, Natalie strives to foster a culture of connection, resilience, and empowerment. Her leadership centers on strengthening protective factors, building sustainable systems, and cultivating community environments where children and families can thrive. Natalie enjoys trying new things, staying active, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Natalie holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor of Science in Business with a minor in Psychology from Florida Southern College. Passionate about trauma-informed care, she is currently enrolled in Texas Christian University’s Developmental Trauma graduate program. Email Natalie

Annie serves as the Property Manager at New Life Village, guiding families through the application process and ensuring their transitions to their new home is as smooth as possible. As the liaison between New Life Village, vendors, and residents, Annie prioritizes excellent customer service and prides herself on maintaining the beauty of the Village. Known for her ‘glass half full’ perspective and positive attitude, Annie brings a sense of optimism to her role and the community. Outside of NLV, Annie loves spending time with her family, engaging in all things DIY, and giving back to the community. She actively volunteers with organizations such as Tres Dias Tampa Bay, Fish & Company, The Hive Inclusive Community, and her local church, Reach City Church.

Annie’s dedication to her community and her passion for helping others are evident in all aspects of her life. Email Annie

Eddie joined the New Life Village team in the spring of 2023 as an AmeriCorps VISTA, initially serving as Marketing & Development Manager. After completing his year of service, he transitioned into the role of Marketing & Finance Manager and now serves as Finance & Grants Manager. In his current role, Eddie leads the organization’s marketing and development efforts, grants management and compliance, and financial operations. He oversees grant strategy, reporting, and stewardship while managing key financial processes that support the organization’s day to day operations. His work helps strengthen New Life Village’s sustainability and advance its mission of providing stable housing, supportive services, and a thriving intergenerational community for families impacted by foster care and trauma.

Outside of work, Eddie enjoys interior design, community development projects, and spending time with his two playful pups, Hudson (5) and Delilah (4). He loves city living and enjoys walking along Bayshore Boulevard and the Tampa Riverwalk, spending days on the boat, visiting Hyde Park Village, and discovering Tampa’s hidden gems.

Eddie holds his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Sykes College of Business at the University of Tampa and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami Herbert Business School with a concentration in Finance. Email Eddie

Craig brings over 50 years of expertise in maintenance, construction, and rehabilitation to New Life Village as our Maintenance Manager. A native of Adrian, Michigan, and a U.S. Navy veteran, Craig has built a distinguished career defined by his commitment to quality and attention to detail. After his honorable military service, he transitioned into the construction industry, where he worked on a wide range of projects, from residential renovations to large-scale developments. Now living in Valrico, Florida, Craig is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards at New Life Village, where his experience and dedication help create a safe and nurturing environment for families. He is also a proud father of four.

Abigail is completing her MSW internship as a Resource Navigator at New Life Village. As a Resource Navigator, Abigail works closely with residents to connect them to essential resources and supportive services. She is passionate about walking alongside individuals and families as they work toward greater stability, safety, and well-being; valuing the importance of connection, advocacy, and community support. As a Bachelor of Social Work graduate, Abigail is excited to continue learning and growing professionally while gaining hands-on experience in the field. Outside of her work at New Life Village, Abigail enjoys spending time outdoors and staying active. She loves going to the beach, taking walks, playing soccer, and values time spent recharging and connecting with friends and family.

Jessica joined New Life Village after being introduced by the CEO of Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services, where she works full-time as the Financial Services Coordinator. Jessica has worked for TBNHS for almost 2 years after moving from Minnesota to Florida. In this role as Income Certification Manager at NLV, she will assist applicants through the certification process, ensuring accuracy and compliance to help families access affordable housing opportunities. Her passion lies in fostering stable and affordable housing for individuals and communities. As part of the New Life Village team, she will contribute in creating a supportive community for families.

Cole joined the New Life Village team in Spring of 2026 as the Marketing Intern and is currently serving as Marketing and Community Development Manager, VISTA. In this role, he will be working on the media marketing, content creation, community outreach, and development.

In Cole’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his Fiancée and exploring different things that Florida has to offer. He loves being outside and taking adventures to new places and take in the sights. When he is not exploring, he enjoys relaxing inside and looking at the art of cinema in different movies and shows.

He is a recent graduate from The University of Tampa where he holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Media. He is currently enrolled in the 4+1 Masters of Social and Emerging Media with an expected end date of January 2027.

LeAnn Flores serves as the Event and Volunteerism Manager at New Life Village, where she leads volunteer engagement and community events that support children and families impacted by foster care. She oversees the planning and coordination of volunteer opportunities, special events, and community partnerships that inspire meaningful service and create lasting impact.

Passionate about bringing people together, LeAnn is committed to creating opportunities for individuals, businesses, and community partners to make a difference through service. She believes that strong relationships and engaged volunteers help build thriving communities where children and families feel supported, valued, and empowered.

LeAnn earned her Associate in Arts degree from Hillsborough Community College and is passionate about youth development, community engagement, and creating spaces where people can connect, grow, and serve others. Outside of work, she enjoys training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, exploring new experiences, and spending time with family and friends.

JT is serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA at New Life Village, where she partners with Eddie on grant development and supports Annie with property management efforts. In her role, she helps strengthen the organization’s grant processes and supports resident recruitment. She brings valuable experience from her work as a case manager and transition specialist within the dependency system, along with a strong passion for supporting children and families impacted by foster care.

Outside of work, JT enjoys reading and painting. As a Tampa native, she is deeply committed to serving and giving back to her community. JT holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Savannah State University and aspires to pursue a career in urban planning and community development.

Matthew Fertitta joins New Life Village in the Spring of 2026 as a Grants Support Assistant. In this role, he assists with grant research, proposal writing, reporting, and development efforts that help support the Village’s mission of serving families and children impacted by foster care and trauma.

Matthew graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor’s degree in English before building experience across several professional fields, including IT and law. In 2021, he joined Metropolitan Ministries through the AmeriCorps State & National Program, where he served for four years and earned the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was later hired as a full-time staff case worker, continuing his passion for serving and supporting vulnerable populations throughout the Tampa Bay Area.

Outside of his professional and volunteer work, Matthew enjoys spending time outdoors, whether at the beach, walking or biking local trails, or paddle boarding. He also enjoys staying active through sports like tennis, pickleball, ping pong, and basketball. In his free time, he loves movies, television, music, and video games.

Gianna is completing her MSW field placement at New Life Village as a Resident Support Specialist. Gianna provides support, encouragement, and a sense of stability to residents as they navigate challenges. She strives to be someone residents can rely on. Through patience, empathy, and consistency, Gianna works to create a supportive environment where residents feel respected, valued, and motivated to grow. Her goal is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others by helping them recognize their potential and take steps toward a brighter future.

Outside of her role, Gianna is passionate about competitive bodybuilding, which has taught her the importance of discipline, consistency, and resilience. She also enjoys working with her friends’ gym brand, where she can contribute to something she believes in while surrounding herself with people who share her passion for fitness and personal growth. Gianna is always looking for ways to push her mind and body to new limits, challenge herself, and become better than she was the day before. She believes that learning and growing every day not only make her stronger personally, but also helps her become a better source of encouragement and support for the people around her.

Gianna holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Central Connecticut State University, the state she grew up in. She is now pursuing her Master’s of Social Work at the University of South Florida.

Beatriz is completing her MSW field placement at New Life Village as a Resident Support Specialist. On the Resident Support Team, Beatriz supports Village families and Seniors connect with resources, services, and programs that promote stability, well-being, and personal growth. As part of the Resident Support Team, she looks forward to building relationships with residents and being a supportive and approachable resource within the NLV community.

Beatriz holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of South Florida and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Central Florida. She is excited to gain hands-on experience, grow as a future social worker, and contribute to the supportive community at New Life Village.