The NTEN team continues to grow. We’re excited to introduce our new Program Coordinator, Nancy Matsukawa! Nancy is passionate about events, both online and in-person, and creating welcoming spaces. I asked her five questions to help you learn more about our newest team member.
What was a favorite childhood meal you still love today?
Hands down, my mother’s kimchi potato gratin. The concoction of the kimchi spicy sauce she makes with bacon, potato, and crispy yet gooey cheese is just fine perfection.
What was your first job?
The first job I ever had was as an administrative assistant at a clinic. I scanned and sorted documents, scheduled appointments, and did lots of behind-the-scenes work. It was the start of my customer service journey.
What is your favorite place to go on an adventure in California?
One place that is always a fun adventure is visiting Smorgasburg, LA. It’s an outdoor market where local vendors and food trucks gather each Sunday. As a food enthusiast, it is one of those places where you can get together with friends and family to hang out and try bits of everything while having fun supporting local businesses all in one place. Plus, considering it is in downtown LA, with free entry and free parking (up to 2 hours) in an onsite garage, I can’t resist the temptation not to go.
What would be your walk-on song?
It will have to be Happy by Pharrell Williams. It is a classic that will get everyone off the floor and curious about who is walking in but also fill the room with excitement! What more can I say 🙂
If you could acquire a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
Dancing contemporary, jazz, or hip-hop. Growing up, I watched the TV series “So You Think You Can Dance.” I would admire how breakdancers could learn and dance a contemporary piece in a matter of hours or days, and vice versa, for contemporary dancers to breakdance and steal the show. Each dance piece was so moving, bringing smiles and even tears to myself and viewers around the world. As someone who has no rhythm or flexibility, it is definitely something I would love to acquire.
Ash Shepherd
he/him
Chief Program Officer, NTEN
I got my first job in the nonprofit sector when I was 18. It was at a group home that served girls between 12 and 18. Very soon after starting, I began to grasp for the first time what a former high school teacher meant when he said, "If you want to help people, you need to be willing to work with people that need help." While it was extremely challenging at times, this work led to a deeper sense of empathy and imagining what an end result can look like for others if you genuinely put in the effort to support their success. I fell in love with doing work that truly mattered and have been in the nonprofit sector since.In the end, I spent a decade working in social services in various settings, from schools and wilderness therapy programs to community and residential programs. Eventually, my interest in technology and how it could amplify nonprofit missions brought me to make a career shift. I spent several years working at nonprofits that consulted with other nonprofits in digital engagement, CRMs, and overall project management. I eventually found my way back into programs development when I joined the staff at NTEN.Along the way, I earned a B.S. from the University of Montana in Resource Management and a Master's in Environment and Development from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It took a while to figure out the throughline of my education and professional experience, but I eventually realized I love the intersections where people and other things come together (the environment, other humans, with technology).My role at NTEN allows me to continue doing work that connects with people and organizations across the full spectrum of the nonprofit sector. My project-driven brain couldn't find a better way to continue learning from amazing people creating exciting new ways to improve our communities every day.Outside of work, I enjoy taking a break from technology and exploring the outdoors, searching for an open stretch of trail and precious moments of solitude.
