Nazareth Housing is thrilled to welcome Mike Mascarina to our Board of Directors. With a career rooted in relationship-building, talent development, and community-centered leadership, Mike brings a deep commitment to our mission and the families we serve.
After visiting Louise’s Pantry on the Lower East Side and meeting with board members and staff, Mike felt an immediate connection to Nazareth Housing’s work—and to the dignity and respect that underpin all of our programs. We sat down with him to learn more about what inspired him to join the board, what resonates most, and what he hopes to contribute.
Read the full Q&A below.
What inspired you to join Nazareth Housing’s Board?
Meeting the board members and visiting Louise’s Pantry in the Lower East Side was very inspiring and really brought the information on the website to life. Each member had a genuine passion for the mission of Nazareth Housing. Seeing the line of smiling and excited clients the morning I visited Louise’s Pantry—and the enthusiasm of the volunteers—showed me the respect and dignity Nazareth Housing creates for its clients. While the food distribution, housing support, and other services can go a long way, it is the dignity and respect that Nazareth Housing fosters for their clients that is invaluable.
What part of Nazareth Housing’s mission resonates most deeply with you?
The mission of being “committed to the promotion of housing stability and economic mobility” is really what we would hope for our own loved ones and family. So for me, Nazareth Housing is taking on the role of a “family” leader for those most vulnerable in the communities it serves. Being part of a mission with a holistic approach to getting out of—and avoiding—homelessness resonates with me. It is what I would want for myself and for my loved ones if we were to face such challenging circumstances.
What do you hope to bring to the organization in your new role as a Board Member?
I’ve spent most of my career in recruiting and talent management, which revolves around relationship-building and promoting the brand of my company. I see myself leveraging those capabilities to support any growth of Nazareth Housing. With just a small glimpse of what Nazareth Housing has done, I already know that there is much for me to learn about the organization, the other board members, staff, volunteers, and its clients. With that learning I hope it will galvanize dormant skills in me that will make me an impactful board member.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I was born and raised in New Jersey—where we call it Taylor Ham, not Pork Roll. I spent six years in my 20s living in Japan, but unfortunately have not kept my Japanese skills up. I currently live in NJ, raising two beautiful teens, Stella and Lucas, and our dog Luna. I lived in NYC for five years, now commute into the city for work, and still draw inspiration from the power of this great city.