Nathaniel Fields is the Chief Executive Officer of Urban Resource Institute (URI). URI is the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services and a leading provider of services for the unhoused, operating 25 emergency and transitional housing sites that utilizes a trauma-informed approach that positively impacts the lives of approximately 40,000 people annually. Nathaniel is a recognized voice in the field and a visionary leader who displays an unwavering commitment to survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and the unhoused.

URI has introduced groundbreaking initiatives such as People and Animals Living Safely (PALS), the Economic Empowerment Center, the Abusive Partner Intervention Program (APIP), and the Legal Education and Advocacy Program (LEAP).  These programs provide survivors of DV and the unhoused with critical tools for economic security, legal protection, and long-term stability. URI has shared its expertise across the U.S. and globally, including in Thailand and Portugal in 2024.

A respected policy and advocacy leader, Nathaniel ensures survivors, and the unhoused needs remain at the forefront of legislative change. He serves on influential boards and councils, including the NYC Mayor’s Nonprofits and Social Services Advisory Council, the NYS Council on Women and Girls, and the Human Services Council. His advocacy focuses on expanding all housing access, advancing economic justice, and shaping policies that create lasting protections for survivors and the unhoused.

Nathaniel’s impact has earned him numerous accolades, including recognition as a Nonprofit Power Player and Black Trailblazer. He has been named to City & State’s Nonprofit Power 100 and Crain’s Notable Black Leaders and Executives, cementing his status as a leading voice in the human services sector.

As a lifelong learner, Nathaniel holds a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University, a certificate in nonprofit executive leadership from NYU, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in leadership and innovation at NYU Steinhardt. He is deeply inspired by the resilience of clients, and the dedication of URI’s staff.  He continues to believe that “Hope is at the cornerstone of everything we do” as we transform lives and build stronger communities.

Amanda Eckhardt, PhD, serves as the Chief Program Officer at Urban Resource Institute, where she leads strategic program design and promotes an inclusive leadership framework in collaboration with program leaders across four departments. A researcher by trade, her training and fellowships in evaluation are rooted in leading research institutions and foundations, including Harvard Medical School, Lehigh University College of Education, the National Institutes of Health, the Robin Hood Foundation, and Arbor Rising. She is a thought leader and consultant to the National Institutes of Justice and the Office for Victims of Crime. Additionally, she is a published author and presenter on impact design and evaluation in various journals (e.g., American Journal of Evaluation) and at national and international conferences (e.g., International Family Violence and Child Victimization Research Conference).

Anthony B. Edwards is Chief Financial Officer at Urban Resource Institute, where he has overall financial management responsibility for the organization, including developing and implementing strategies that promote the continued financial health of URI. He is also responsible for assisting in the management of organizational risk, including but not limited to the development, implementation and monitoring of financial controls, safeguarding against loss and ensuring that financials are executed in accordance with management’s authorizations and U.S. GAAP. As CFO, Anthony is also accountable for the overall management of the Finance and Accounting Division.

Anthony is a dedicated executive with over 25 years of experience and a record of achievement by improving the financial processes and performance of several nonprofits. Anthony most recently served as CFO and Senior Vice President at Sheltering Arms, which for 190 years has provided services for children, youth and families. Prior to joining Sheltering Arms, he was CFO at Brooklyn Community Services for a decade, and previously served as the Director of Research Administration and Operations at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where he played a pivotal role in improving research administration and grant management. Anthony has also worked at 1199/Employment Training & Job Security Program, and Beth Israel Medical Center in an accounting and financial management capacity.

Anthony received his MBA from Dowling College and a BS in Accounting at Brooklyn College. He is a member of the Global Academy of Finance and Management, certified as a Master Financial Planner, Accredited Management Accountant, and Accredited Financial Analyst. He is also a member of the American Academy of Financial Management, certified in Corporate Finance and is a Master Financial Manager.

Heidi L. Hamilton is General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Urban Resource Institute, overseeing legal and in-house corporate affairs, contracts, board of trustees governance and policy initiatives. The legal division manages agency-wide risk management systems supporting URI’s , programmatic, strategic and operational integrity. Heidi collaborates with team members to create systems that are aligned with compliance laws and regulations that can be implemented with fidelity.

She previously served as the Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Real Estate, Facilities & Legal Officer for Amber Charter Schools, overseeing school-based operation systems and capital improvement projects. As a commercial law attorney admitted in New York and Connecticut, she has negotiated real estate transactions and litigated cases in state and federal courts. An avid believer in not-for-profit capacity building, Heidi serves on the board of Calvin Hill Day Care, Boundless Literacy, Inc., TruFund Financial Services and Barbershop Books, Inc.

Heidi holds a JD from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a BA in Political Science from Wellesley College.

Elyse Barbell, SHRMP-CP brings a wealth of experience in human resource operations to Urban Resource Institute, she is responsible for building best-in-class talent acquisition, employee retention, and engagement strategies.
 
Barbell has always had a passion for workforce and leadership development in service to poverty remediation. Barbell most recently spent seven years developing recruitment and retention strategies for Women in Need as the organization’s Vice President of Human Capital. Barbell began her career in the field of education, serving as an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instructor and Refugee Services Coordinator at Brooklyn College before expanding into workforce and leadership development. In her previous role as Executive Director of the Literacy Assistance Center, she oversaw the development of the Adult Literacy Information and Evaluation System (ALIES) data collection system for NYC adult education programs, and the creation of the Literacy Assistance Center (LAC) Academy.
 
A native New Yorker, Barbell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University, and a certificate in nonprofit leadership from Columbia University.