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Meet The Team

Estee Smith Headshot

Estee Smith

Position: Healthy Communities Director
Phone: 202-464-8713
Email: esmith@ncrc.org

Estee Smith joined NCRC in April 2022 as Healthy Communities Director where she is responsible for leading the organization’s efforts on workforce development, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) and their intersection with social determinants of health. Prior to NCRC, Estee was responsible for community engagement efforts at Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), specifically within PBS KIDS and PBS Station Services. At PBS, Estee supported PBS member stations in connecting high-need communities with PBS content and resources. Estee worked with stations to develop, test, and evaluate parent and educator-focused initiatives adapted in local communities nationwide. She also led community engagement efforts to provide training and support to member stations identifying and enhancing ways of utilizing data for impact based storytelling, meeting station business goals and providing insight into audience engagement.

Prior to PBS, Estee led the state of Missouri’s SNAP E&T efforts across 32 counties through her work at University of Missouri Extension which was contracted to provide workforce development services to unemployed and underemployed Missourians receiving SNAP employment and training services. Estee additionally worked with Central Missouri Community Action delivering family and workforce development services, particularly families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) employment and training services. She developed community relationships in Central Missouri while facilitating community-based workshops and being a part of human services coalition groups. Additionally, she served as an advisor and facilitator for front line staff earning the Family Development Credential through University of Connecticut and Missouri Community Action Network.

Estee is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia. She is a Chicago native, now currently residing in Arlington, VA and is most passionate about social equity issues. Estee enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, art, music, and exploring the DC food scene.

Estee Smith Headshot

Estee Smith joined NCRC in April 2022 as Healthy Communities Director where she is responsible for leading the organization’s efforts on workforce development, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) and their intersection with social determinants of health. Prior to NCRC, Estee was responsible for community engagement efforts at Public Broadcasting Service...

Estee Smith

Healthy Communities Director
Nayeli Pelayo head shot

Nayeli Pelayo

Position: Operations Director, Community Development Fund
Phone: 202-464-2703
Email: npelayo@ncrc.org

Nayeli Pelayo is Operations Director at NCRC’s Community Development Fund where she oversees the management of the organization’s programs and internal operations. Nayeli has over 10 years of experience working in advocacy for social justice nonprofits with an emphasis in DEI, communications, fundraising and people management at organizations including National Immigration Law Center, American Immigration Council and GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic. Most recently, she served as co-executive director at ProgressPop, a nonprofit focused on producing pop culture content to increase civic participation with the goal of making the US a more equitable society.

She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration with a certification in Nonprofit Sector Management from California State University, Northridge, and a bachelor’s in Journalism. Originally from California, Nayeli is bilingual in Spanish with native fluency and currently lives in the DMV on a small suburban homestead with her husband and son.

Nayeli Pelayo head shot

Nayeli Pelayo is Operations Director at NCRC’s Community Development Fund where she oversees the management of the organization’s programs and internal operations. Nayeli has over 10 years of experience working in advocacy for social justice nonprofits with an emphasis in DEI, communications, fundraising and people management at organizations including National Immigration Law Center, American Immigration...

Nayeli Pelayo

Operations Director, Community Development Fund
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