Natalie began her career in marketing within the music industry by working for BMG Entertainment. During her tenure, she played an integral role in launching the careers of some of the music industry’s most successful artists, including Alicia Keys, Pink, Outkast, and more. Although she thrived in the art of marketing music, Natalie soon found her true passion in the non-profit sector. For nearly a decade, she served The United Negro College Fund, where she launched both the first Columbus Mayor’s Luncheon and the first Masked Ball in the state.
Natalie is the former Vice President of Wilberforce University, the nation’s first historically Black college and university (HBCU). During her tenure, she tripled the fundraising budget in just one year. She worked tirelessly with the President and Board of Trustees to restore full academic accreditation to the 166-year-old university, which has a rich history.
Currently, Natalie serves as a Senior Philanthropic Leader at The Obama Foundation. In this role, she collaborates with President Obama, the Board of Trustees, and Executive Leaders to raise the $1.6 billion budget needed to build the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side. She also supports programs that positively impact global leaders and marginalized youth worldwide. Natalie has quickly succeeded in this role, raising the largest single nine-figure gift in Foundation history in 2024. Her team of professional fundraisers exceeded their goal by over 600%, and they continue to work with the nation’s top leaders and philanthropists to build a $2 billion endowment, which will support the work of President and Mrs. Obama in perpetuity.
Natalie currently serves on the boards of the ACLU-Ohio and the Drexel Theatre. She is also the former President of the Bexley Public Library Board of Trustees and the Bexley Women’s Club. Outside of her volunteer work, Natalie enjoys playing polo and has studied under professional players, including Horace Henriot, Luis Escobar, and Matias Gonzalez. Natalie has played in top polo destinations worldwide, including Wellington and Buenos Aires, and most recently won the Granville Cup.
Natalie is a Certified Fundraising Executive with degrees from The Ohio State University and MVNU’s School of Business. She is married to local artist Derrick Coles, and together, they have three children: Angelina, Christopher, and Alexander, along with a busy dog named Baxter and horse Tanita.
