Our story

Rise and Roar Collective was created because, too often, nurses feel alone, unsupported, and unheard. You show up for your patients every single shift—but it’s easy to forget to show up for yourself.

We were born from a simple but necessary idea: Every nurse deserves to have their cup filled, too.

How We Started

Inspired by other leaders in the field, our founder, Natasha, saw a critical gap in the profession. After witnessing colleagues battle exhaustion and burnout, some eventually leaving the bedside. Natasha envisioned something better. She envisioned a space where nurses aren't just surviving the profession, but are empowered to thrive—professionally, personally, and collectively.

From that vision, Rise and Roar Collective was born: a nurse-run nonprofit dedicated to supporting you through every season of your career.

Our Mission

Our mission is simple: To foster resilience, decrease burnout, and create spaces where nurses feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

Through events, workshops, and an enduring community, we are here to ensure that no nurse has to pour from an empty cup. Whether you are a new grad or a seasoned veteran, there is a place for you here.

What We Have to Offer

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What We Have to Offer *

Our Commitment to You
At Rise and Roar Collective, our purpose is simple: to ensure those who take care of us are never left to take care of themselves alone.

Current Offerings
We plan to offer a range of events, resources, and workshops. To support your professional growth, select workshops provide Continuing Education (CE) credits at a low cost, making professional development accessible and stress-free. CE’s are provided through Debriefing the Frontline an accredited provider of Nursing Continuing Professional Development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

A Foundation for the Future
While we have big plans for the future—including conferences and expanded outreach—we are choosing to start here. By focusing on these core resources first, we are building a foundation that stays true to our mission and directly addresses the goals of our local nursing community.

Meet the Team

Natasha Kirchmann

FOUNDER

Natasha is a dedicated nurse, first responder, and founder of Rise and Roar Collective. Before entering the nursing profession, she spent five years serving her community as a police officer, developing a strong sense of resilience, advocacy, and service. Driven by a desire to care for people in a different way, she transitioned into nursing, where she spent two years working on a medical-surgical unit before moving into the fast-paced environment of the emergency department.
A mother, wife and dog lover, Natasha balances the demands of healthcare with family life and the things that bring her joy—coffee, reading, and staying active through fitness. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Fitchburg State University while continuing to grow in her career.
As the founder of Rise and Roar Collective, Natasha believes there is a gap in support and connection within the healthcare system. Her vision for the nonprofit is to create a space to reduce burnout, where nurses can find community, education, and encouragement to continue in their careers.
Kristina Mease

Vice President / Director of Meetings & Events

Kristina Mease is a results-driven leader with over 11 years of experience in high-level event strategy and execution. Currently serving as the Director of Meetings & Events for the International Myeloma Foundation, she oversees a specialized team responsible for national and international programs serving patients, researchers, and clinicians.
Throughout her career at organizations such as Site Solutions Worldwide and the New York State Bar Association, Kristina has demonstrated a mastery of complex project management, contract negotiation, and multi-million dollar budget oversight. A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) since 2022, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is currently advancing her expertise through a Master’s degree in Meeting and Event Management, with an anticipated completion in May 2027. Kristina is recognized for her ability to align large-scale event operations with organizational goals to deliver exceptional stakeholder value.
Christina Meucci

Treasurer

Christina Meucci owns The Recovery Room, a sports medicine facility in downtown Pittsfield, where she has spent the last five years honing her expertise in business operations, finance, and marketing. In addition to her clinical work as a certified athletic trainer, Christina brings a strong entrepreneurial perspective to nonprofit governance, helping organizations strategically manage resources and growth.
In addition to her work with Rise and Roar, Christina currently serves as a board member for The Girls Inc. at Gladys Brigham Center, where she is active on both the Finance Committee and the Summer Camp Committee, supporting initiatives that empower young women. She also mentors for EforAll, guiding aspiring entrepreneurs, and serves as the internship coordinator for The Recovery Room's sports medicine internship program, fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. In 2025, she was recognized among the 40 Under 40, highlighting her impact and leadership within her community.
With a unique combination of clinical insight, business acumen, and a passion for mentoring, Christina brings both financial expertise and strategic vision to the boards she serves.
Theresa Carusotto

secretary

Theresa is a Registered Nurse with experience in medical-surgical and school health settings. When she isn’t working as a nurse she spends time working as a permanent makeup artist.
Theresa is a a lifelong athlete, she values teamwork, dedication, and service to her community. Outside of working, Theresa enjoys spending time with her family, especially her daughter and niece.
Vanessa Taylor

Vanessa is a dedicated registered nurse, wife, proud mother of two, and lifelong cat lover whose heart for caring extends far beyond her home. Before becoming a nurse Vanessa spent six years as a CNA caring and supporting patients. As a nurse her career started in oncology, where she spent two years devoting herself to her patients and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. Today, she continues that calling in hospice care, where compassion, dignity, and presence matter most.
Known for her warmth and steady dedication, Vanessa approaches every patient with empathy, patience, and respect. She is deeply passionate about providing comfort, advocating for her patients, and ensuring that every person she cares for feels seen and valued.
Balancing motherhood, nursing, and her love for animals, Vanessa embodies resilience, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to helping others
Join Our Team

Believe you could be an asset to our team send us an email at riseandroarco@gmail.com‍ ‍and if we are a match we will be in contact.
Dont want to commit to being a part of the team, but still want to help head on over to our contact page for other ways to be involved!