Natanja Craig Oquendo has spent her career centering the voices of Black and Brown people. At a young age, Natanja was inspired by activists defending her community from systemic injustice. Their success spurred her strong belief in grassroots organizations’ power to drive change. However, after entering the sector and discovering that those most impacted by foundation investments were absent from the decision-making tables, she was determined to change philanthropy. 

Under Natanja’s leadership, in less than three years, the Boston Women’s Fund tripled their grantmaking dollars and more than doubled their grantees. She built a diverse team of passionate, innovative people dedicated to liberation, and along with the board and staff, she supported the development of the fund’s five-year strategic directions, strengthening the fund's commitment to equitable philanthropy. 

Prior to the Boston Women’s Fund, Natanja held positions at The Boston Foundation, Fidelity Investments, The Partnership, Inc., The Possible Project, and the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. She is a board member at Philanthropy Massachusetts and serves on the advisory board at Harvard Law Center, Everyday Boston, and WBUR. Natanja is also a YW Boston 2023 Academy of Women Achievers honoree and has been named one of 2023’s Most Influential Bostonians by Boston magazine.