Tasha Locks is a visionary nonprofit leader with over 15 years of experience creating programs that empower marginalized youth. Her journey from near failure in high school to becoming a top-producing Realtor, single mother, and homeowner by age 20 speaks to her resilience. She holds a B.S. Degree in Community Development and a Master of Education Degree blending these skills into a transformative approach to nonprofit work.

In 2011, Tasha founded Youth Rising with a handful of youth, which has grown from a rural agency to a nationally respected organization supporting young/young adults across the United States.

A former USA/ABF Licensed Boxing Coach, Tasha is a passionate advocate for physical activity in youth development, with the desire to introduce “street sports” into Youth Rising’s Drop-ins to promote well-being. Her dedication to youth support is deeply personal: as a teenager, Tasha faced severe challenges, including experiencing depression and suicidal thoughts after being sent to an unregulated wilderness boot camp in the middle of winter. This experience shapes her commitment to trauma-informed, safe, and empowering environments for youth in foster care and those who might otherwise slip through the cracks.