Natalia Leusner

Engaging Youth and Building Connections 

Natalia Leusner joined Cape Assist in 2015 as an educator. She instructed middle school students in the Botvin LifeSkills substance abuse and violence prevention program. Natalia also provided TIPS training to teach businesses about responsible alcohol sales and service, led both the Strengthening Families Program and Achieving Personal Balance classes, and participated in agency-wide presentations. 

In her current role as Cape May County Healthy Community Coalition Coordinator, Natalia helps connect various local stakeholders. All share a common goal of building a healthier Cape May County by creating trauma-informed environments and reducing substance use through outreach and community partner engagement. 

She also organizes the annual Peer Leadership Conference for middle school and high school students in Cape May County, as well as spearheads a county-wide contest for student-created public service announcements about substance use. Natalia enjoys seeing youth engaged, curious, sharing their talents, and building connections. 

In fact, Natalia identifies facilitating human connection as one of her passions. She embraces the opportunity to make that happen throughout the community because of her work with Cape Assist.  

Background and Education 

Natalia received a master's degree in Linguistics and Cross-Cultural Communications from Moscow State Pedagogical University in Russia.

She also earned an Applied Educational Neuroscience certification from Butler University.

Natalia holds a New Jersey Teacher’s Certificate in ESL (K-12), as well as certificates in Mental Health First Aid for Youth and Mental Health First Aid for Adults.  

Natalia is also certified to teach Botvin LifeSkills, Strengthening Families Program (ages 6-10- and 10-14-year-olds), WISE Program, Impact6, Achieving Personal Balance, and TIPS training.  Currently, Natalia is working to become a Certified Prevention Specialist. 

Before joining Cape Assist, Natalia taught English as a Second Language at the college level.