NST COLLABORATIVE
D E V E L O P M E N T
MEET THE TEAM
The People Working With You
NATASHA WYATT
SCOTT RUFF
Architectural Design and Planning Director
TRACY STONE-DINO
Community Development Strategist
Principal & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
Natasha Mitchell
Principal & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
Joy is a peaceful space for one’s soul to dwell. - Natasha Mitchell
My life’s work has been centered on inspiring joyful living. Whether directing large grant-funded projects focused on educational attainment and career development, working as a board certified counselor, coaching executive leadership or developing business and education partnerships, it has all been with a focus of improving the lives of the people that I serve. Engaging in this work has led me to understand that the contexts and environments where people live, learn, work and play impacts their lives. This awareness expanded my focus from just encouraging human development to developing built environments that sustain optimal human functioning. I am passionate about creating beautiful, functional, and sustainable built environments that not only benefit our clients, but also contribute to the greater good.
I am a strategic thinker who is adept at identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in the marketplace. Drawing on a deep understanding of human psychology and expert group facilitation skills, I contribute stakeholder engagement and community assessment expertise to our projects. I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling and Development from UNC-Greensboro, M.S. in Counseling from Syracuse University and a B.S. in Human Service Studies from Cornell University. I firmly believe that real estate development can be a force for positive change, and I am committed to making a difference in the communities we serve.
Scott Ruff
Architectural Design and Planning Director
"Action is the foundational key to all success." - Pablo Picasso
Originally from Buffalo NY Scott Ruff is an architectural designer and educator with over 30 years of experience. He is the principle of RuffWorks Studio, a research and design studio specializing in culturally informed projects and community engagement. His work has been supported by the Graham Foundation, the New York State Council of the Arts and the Harlem School of the Arts. Ruff has received awards for diversity inclusion and community outreach from the AIA and ACSA. Ruff is the co-editor of In Search of African-American Space: Redressing Racism, LarsMuller Publishers. He is co-author of Within or Without “Gullah Geechee Institute”, Yale School of Architecture publications. He has articles published in a number of journals and proceedings. Ruff received his first professional Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and a Master of Architecture II from Cornell University.
Tracy Stone -Dino
Community Development Strategist
“Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world, and there are things you can do to lift the human spirit – things that are easy, things that are free, things that you can do every day: Civility, respect, kindness, character.” – Aaron Sorkin
Over the course of my 20 year (plus) public service career, I can honestly say it is my life’s work. I have enjoyed learning and evolving in my career as I served in various roles within local and state government, and the nonprofit realm. With each role, I’ve gained such an appreciation of the importance of housing and community development which stands as the bedrock of any sustainable community. While I do not have any lived experience from being homeless or without food, I’ve witnessed how hopelessness can rob potential and the lack of political courage to stand in the face of injustices can destroy trust in democracy. To serve the public and champion social justice, is to seek beyond the census tract data and discriminatory land use practices to actually see, acknowledge, understand, and empathize with the communities that are impacted.
I am Tracy Stone-Dino. I was born and raised in South Carolina where I graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. I graduated from N.C. Central University with a Masters Degree in Public Administration. I consider myself a housing and community development strategist.