About Natasha
Natasha Gonzalez is an educator, writer, and lifelong advocate for community and environmental well-being. A native of Columbus, Nebraska, she built her career on resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to helping others. From her early work in agriculture and the service industry to launching her own cleaning business, Natasha learned the value of perseverance and of creating spaces where people and communities can thrive.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration, Natasha taught English Language and Citizenship courses as an Adult Education Instructor. Now based in New Jersey, she continues her passion for education and service while pursuing her Master’s degree in School Counseling and working within her local public school district.
In addition to leading the Healthy Volunteers Alliance, Natasha is the Executive Director of Sacred Earth Community Solutions, an organization dedicated to sustainable and creative fundraising strategies, as well as coaching services that empower individuals and groups to achieve their goals.
Natasha also writes under the name Terra Rhea Rising and recently published her first book, Raise to Rise: An Introduction to the Movement. The book is part of her work with Sacred Earth Community Solutions and the Sacred Earth Rising initiative — a call to reconnect with truth, community, and the healing power of the planet.
Through her teaching, writing, and advocacy, Natasha seeks to inspire reflection, empowerment, and resilience. She is passionate about uplifting others, breaking cycles of harm, and helping people rise into their fullest potential — a mission she carries forward in the classroom, in her community, and in her leadership of HVA.
Meet Natasha
I began the Healthy Volunteers Alliance (HVA) in honor of my mother, who has dedicated much of her retired life to participating in clinical trials. Through her commitment, she has helped ensure that Americans receive properly tested medical products and treatments. She is still a healthy, able-bodied individual, fully willing to donate her time to this important work. Yet, she is consistently denied the opportunity to participate — not because of any medical concern, but simply because she is over 50. There is no scientific justification for excluding otherwise qualified volunteers based solely on age.
This reality is not unique to her. Many healthy volunteers face arbitrary age cutoffs, unfair pay practices, or discrimination, despite being essential to the progress of medical science. When volunteers are shut out unfairly, families and individuals who rely on this income and contribution to research are left unsupported.
I created HVA to stand up for people like my mother — and for every healthy volunteer who deserves fairness, respect, and protection. My mission is to build a safe, confidential community where your voice matters and where no one has to face discrimination, unfair treatment, or exclusion alone.
As Executive Director, I am dedicated to upholding the standards of privacy and respect outlined in our group guidelines:
Membership approval is required to keep our space secure.
Security questions must be answered before approval.
Profiles must be visible to join, but anonymous posting is always available once inside.
If you ever experience issues, we are here to help — and your information will remain strictly confidential.
Your identity and experiences will always be safeguarded. Every volunteer who contributes to science deserves dignity, fair treatment, and a trusted community to belong to. That is what HVA stands for, and that is my promise to you.
"I watched my mother give so much to science, only to be told she was ‘too old’ to continue. Science cannot move forward by shutting people out — and I will fight for every healthy volunteer willing to step up, just as my mother does."
— Natasha, Executive Director
“Devoting ourselves to the protection of others is how we ensure that science — and humanity — can thrive for generations to come.”
Let’s work together
Have a Question or Concern?
If you have specific questions, statements, or experiences that are not addressed on our website — or if you do not feel comfortable posting them online — you are welcome to contact me directly through this form. Every message is kept private and confidential, and I will respond to you personally.