Pace Announces Natalya-Bannister Roby as Senior Director of Program Operations

Pace Center for Girls proudly announces the appointment of Natalya Bannister-Roby as Senior Director of Center Operations.

“Over the last seven years, Natalya has made a tremendous impact at Pace Center for Girls, supporting and advocating for thousands of girls and young women in the Alachua community,” said Mary Marx, Pace President and CEO. “Her leadership and care will continue to make a remarkable impression on our girls and their families as she assumes a new role and supervises operations across Pace’s 21 centers throughout Florida.”

Bannister-Roby led Pace Alachua to a significant increase in girl outreach, program outcomes, staff retention and fiscal management. With more than a decade of nonprofit and social service leadership experience, Bannister-Roby has worked extensively on leadership development, culture strategy, race and gender equity and access to mental health services for underserved communities.

“It’s been one of my greatest honors to serve as Executive Director of Pace Alachua and work in partnership with the greater Gainesville community to ensure all girls, regardless of their story, have a safe and supportive space to thrive, and I am thrilled to continue to support the Alachua center in this new capacity,” said Bannister-Roby. “I’m proud to expand on this purpose-driven work and reach more girls by leading Pace’s Florida operations.”

Bannister-Roby is a nationally recognized speaker on leadership, culture work, and social change. She was a TedxUF speaker where she shared her leadership philosophy, “The Power of Leading with Love.”  She received UNF’s Taylor Leadership Institutes “Leadership Mentor Award” (2022), is profiled as one of Gainesville's Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders, a Business in Greater Gainesville’s Fierce Award winner, recipient of the University of Florida's Alumni of the Year Award (FYCS Dept) and recognized as a 2020 Woman of Distinction in North Central Florida.

“Natalya has a history of success in developing community solutions, is a purpose-driven leader and collaborator who strives to bring people together,” said Aggie Pappas, Vice President of Program Innovation and Strategic Implementation at Pace. “I look forward to seeing Natalya in a new role alongside Rosene Johnson, former director of Pace Orange, as we expand our model and reach more girls.”

Currently, Bannister-Roby is in the dissertation stage of her doctorate with a concentration on Executive Leadership, strengthening her philosophy to change the narrative of leadership for the next generation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family youth and community science and a master’s degree in health education and behavioral science from the University of Florida.