Her Story
About Latasha
Latasha Johnson is a seasoned finance and operations strategist with extensive experience across nonprofit organizations, public-sector programs, and commercial credit. As the Director of Finance and Administration at California Urban Partnership, she leads budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, grant and fund management, treasury, and financial close processes, ensuring mission-aligned, Board-level decision-making. Latasha is known for her ability to translate complex financial and performance data into clear, actionable strategies that drive organizational impact and sustainable growth. Prior to her current role, Latasha served as Project Manager at Triaxial Management Services, where she managed the Northern California Support Services Program (NCSSP) for the California Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. In this capacity, she supported DBE certification, technical assistance, and performance reporting, while representing the firm at the Caltrans Small Business Council. Earlier in her career, she worked at Citi as a Commercial Analyst Underwriter, where she underwrote multimillion-dollar credit exposures for the Home Depot private label portfolio, building a strong foundation in credit risk management and policy-aligned financial decision-making. Latasha holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and is currently pursuing her MBA at the Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with plans to continue on to earn her DBA. Beyond her professional pursuits, she has a deep passion for genealogy, dedicating time to self-study and research in the field, and enjoys walking whenever she can. With a reputation for integrity, clarity, and strategic insight, Latasha combines technical expertise with a commitment to sustainable growth, impactful leadership, and lifelong learning.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Latasha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, unwavering determination, and the support of exceptional people and a strong, engaged community. Through dedication and perseverance, I have been able to pursue my goals with focus and resilience, while the encouragement and guidance of mentors, colleagues, and my community have provided invaluable insights and opportunities that have shaped my journey and amplified my impact.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to stay true to who I am and to actively leverage my network. Being authentic allows me to navigate my career with integrity and confidence, while connecting with others provides valuable insights, guidance, and opportunities that help me learn, grow, and position myself for success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to not only study the technical aspects of the field, but also the people it serves. Every decision carries a human impact, and wisdom comes from understanding the numbers and lives behind them.
Ambition, discipline, and hard work are important but lasting success is built through purpose, empathy, and integrity. Overtime I have learned that meaningful work is simply not about achieving results; it is about doing excellent work with people, through people, and for people.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and simultaneously an opportunity in my field right now is securing sufficient funding through donations. While it can be demanding to identify and cultivate the resources needed to support programs and initiatives, this challenge also presents an opportunity to build stronger relationships with donors, demonstrate the impact of our work, and create sustainable strategies that ensure long-term growth and success.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most in both my work and personal life are integrity, authenticity, and being intentional in everything I do. I strive to act with honesty and transparency, remain true to my principles, and approach each decision and interaction thoughtfully, ensuring that my actions align with my values and positively impact those around me.
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