Tasha Locks is a visionary leader with over 18 years of experience in nonprofit management, specializing in developing programs that empower marginalized youth. Her personal journey of overcoming adversity, from struggling in her teen years, to becoming a successful Realtor and a homeowner as a single mother by age 20, underscores her resilience. Tasha holds a B.S. Degree in Community Development and a Master of Education, skills she has seamlessly integrated into her transformative approach to nonprofit leadership.

In 2011, Tasha founded Youth Rising, and by 2014 she had launched efforts starting with just a handful of youth. Under her leadership, it has evolved from a modest rural agency into a national organization that supports youth and young adults across the United States. Her experience as a former USA/ABF Licensed Boxing Coach, coupled with using basketball and other sports to manage her emotions as a teen, fuels her passion for physical activity in youth development. She is particularly keen on integrating 'street sports' into Youth Rising’s Drop-ins, enhancing well-being and engagement among participants.

Tasha’s commitment to creating safe, trauma-informed environments for youth is deeply personal and profoundly professional. As a teenager, she endured severe emotional and physical challenges, including depression and suicidal thoughts after being placed in an unregulated wilderness boot camp during the harsh winter. These experiences have profoundly shaped her dedication to ensuring that youth in foster care and those at risk of falling through the cracks receive compassionate and effective support.

Through her leadership, Tasha Locks continues to advocate for and implement innovative solutions that promote healing, growth, and opportunity for the most vulnerable populations.