Meet Our Leadership Team

Harena Gebreyesus first became involved with the New American Association of Massachusetts in 2009 as a student in the after-school program. Soon after, she began working in the summer program and afterward, supervising the teen staff. Harena holds a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from MGH Institute of Health Professions and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from UMASS Amherst. She currently works as a Physician Assistant and spends her spare time hiking, exercising, and traveling.

Natasha Soolkin, an emigre from the former Soviet Union, arrived in the U.S. in 1990. For the past 25 years, Natasha has actively supported the immigrant and refugee community by providing a variety of services: from organizing educational seminars for diverse refugee populations, interpreting and translating for refugee clients and mainstream organizations, designing to implementing various activities for children and families. Since 2002, she has acted as Regional Director of the RCAM North Shore Office and Managing Director of the New American Center and has recently taken on the role of Executive Director of the newly named New American Association of Massachusetts (NAAM). Her responsibilities include coordination and implementation of a broad array of services for refugees and immigrants. Her outspoken commitment to the North Shore community has been recognized and commended by many in the social service and political fields. She advocates passionately for her clients and has always gone above and beyond to meet their needs. Natasha also serves on the Board of Directors at the Lynn Community Health Center, Advisory Board at the Department of Transitional Assistance, and Lynn Non-Profit Business Association.

Romell Kidd serves as a Multi-Site Manager for several of Peabody Properties’ North Shore developments. Before joining PPI, Romell held positions in the Hospitality industry and as a Real Estate Sales agent. He has worked closely alongside the Housing Corporation of Arlington and Madison Park Development Corporation, where he oversaw and helped manage their portfolio of income-based housing. As a Real Estate Manager, he has partnered with numerous local and statewide housing agencies and programs to provide access to a variety of housing options to stabilize families and those with disabilities. 

Romell Kidd holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management, from The West Indies College. He also holds the professional designation of Specialist in Housing Credit Management from the National Affordable Housing Management Association and is Certified by the Institute of Real Estate Management as an Accredited Residential Manager.

Rasha Mikhael serves as the Revere community building Manager with The Neighborhood Developers. Rasha’s main focus in her position is to organize around affordable housing and support small businesses to thrive as well as educate the community about their civic rights.

Prior to that, Rasha served as a Case Manager with NAAM, and before that, she worked with NGOs in Syria and Lebanon predominantly with service agencies that aim to provide advocacy and assist underrepresented populations in becoming active community participants.

Rasha holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and currently, she is pursuing her license as a Real Estate Salesperson.

Analesa Baraka is a Boston based Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Some of her  impactful philanthropic volunteer activities include medical missions to Cape Verde and Haiti. Analesa holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing from Northeastern University. She has a strong focus on creating sustainable and equitable care models and improving access to care for underserved communities.

Doug founded LionPoint Coaching in 2020, taking the natural next step in a personal and professional life grounded in service to others. LionPoint has allowed him to formalize his vision for leader-centric, results-targeted potential building.

From his first days at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Doug was drawn to the study of leadership. After West Point, Doug served with the 101st Airborne Division as an officer and Apache pilot during combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Following graduation from Columbia Business School, Doug served in executive, management, and strategy roles for Bridgewater Associates and Booz & Company.

Since 2016, Doug has served as an Executive Coach, working with some of the most accomplished and ambitious leaders across some of the fastest-growing companies and industries.

Doug mentors leaders of nonprofits, veterans, and those still serving in uniform; he plays a similar role with veterans transitioning from the military, considering political office, or progressing in their careers.  Doug is a New York native who makes his home in the Boston area with his wife and daughter, Clara.