Meet The Team

Serves on the Natasha House, Inc. Board of Directors since June 2019 and has served as Board Chair since April 2020.  In her professional role, Shukita serves as Associate General Counsel for Riverside Health System and is a Business Law adjunct instructor at Hampton University.  A native of Newport News, VA, she enjoys spending time with her family and binge-watching her favorite television shows.

Executive Director, Dr. Karen Brown personifies the face of Paying-It-Forward thru Service as she as shares her gripping success story that beganafter serving 91/2 yrs in the United States Air Force and her 25yr marriage ended in divorce leaving her homeless with three young sons. She was forces to temporarily turnover the care of her sons to others and work two jobs--as custodian at Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, VA & as crew member at Taco Bell in Grafton, VA; so that she could reunite her family. In addition, Dr. Brown returned to college (CNU) to pursue a degree in teaching while becoming a member of the Advisory Committee planning for NATASHA House Inc (NHI), a non-profit, transitional housing program for homeless women with children on the Peninsula that empowers and equips them to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. So from 1997 to date, Dr. Brown earned her Bachelors in English along with a VA Teaching Certificate in English and Middle School English & Social Studies; a Masters in Christian Education; and her Christian Counseling Doctorate of her Duel Doctorates in Christian Education & Counseling. Moreover, she continued helping establish NHI by aiding: with securing there non-profit status in December 2009; raising the funds to build the building which opened it’s doors on Labor Day 2010; speaking across the peninsula inspiring individuals, civic organizations, businesses, and the faith community to help change lives through investing in NH. Finally, Dr. Brown is the first NHI Program graduate and continues to serve as their first and only Executive Director to this day who si n c e opening NHI has served over 100 moms and 180 children with 83% of its moms completing their program & remaining permanently housed to date

Dr. Michelle Boone-Thornton is the Associate Chair and Assistant Professor of the Human Services Department at Saint Leo University. This is her second term on the Natasha House board and currently serves as the Board Vice Chair and Chair of the Personnel Committee. 

Financial Planner at Davenport & Company LLC. Jake was born and raised in Williamsburg, VA and is a graduate of Virginia Tech. He has a passion for helping others achieve financial independence. In addition to NATASHA House, Jake works on the Finance Committee for ASPIRE and on the Advancement Committee for Hospice House.

Real Estate Analyst at Ferguson Enterprises, LLC in Newport News.

Melanie was born and raised in Texas and made Virginia her home in 2013.

Melanie is active in many organizations in the area and enjoys being able to contribute to and see the success of others. Melanie is passionate about building up our youth and providing them the necessary tools for physical, mental, and professional growth.