Building Foundations: How Natalie Coughlin’s Journey from English Major to Development Director Mirrors the Skills We Value in Law
A Women to Watch Feature

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March 16, 2026

Rubin Fortunato is celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting the intersection of advocacy, persuasion, and community impact.

During Women’s History Month, we often reflect on the trailblazing women who have shaped our communities through their dedication and expertise.  Today, we spotlight a remarkable professional whose career journey demonstrates how the skills we value most in legal practice – advocacy, persuasion, and relationship-building – transcend industries to create meaningful change.

From Grammar Nerd to Grant Writer: A Path to Advocacy
When Natalie Coughlin graduated from West Chester University with a degree in English, she knew one thing for certain: she wanted to help people.  But like many liberal arts graduates, the path to that goal wasn’t immediately clear.  The turning point came when a professor recognized Natalie’s communication strengths and suggested that she explore grant writing – a field where precise language and persuasive writing could directly translate to resources for those in need.

“I’m a self-confessed grammar nerd who loves spreadsheets,” Natalie laughs, describing qualities that might seem contradictory but that represent the perfect blend for effective development work.  Her journey began with an internship at the Chester County Art Association, where she first learned to marry creativity with organizational skills.

The Power of Mentorship and Opportunity
Natalie’s real calling emerged during her internship at the Maternal and Child Health Consortium (MCHC) of Chester County, where she worked under the then-Director of Development.  The experience was so positive that the organization extended her internship through the summer – a testament to both her capabilities and MCHC’s investment in her potential.

When the Director of Development position later became available, MCHC didn’t look far.  They offered Natalie a Development Associate position, recognizing the value of someone who already understood their mission and had proven her commitment.  Natalie’s promotion to Director of Development and Communications came as a natural progression, illustrating how organizations benefit when they nurture talent from within.

The Art of Advocacy: Parallels Between Grant Writing and Legal Practice
“As a grant writer, you need to be a strong advocate and be persuasive,” Natalie explains – words that could easily describe the essence of effective legal representation.  Just as attorneys must present compelling cases for their clients, development professionals must craft narratives that convince foundations and donors to invest in their cause.

The parallels run deeper than surface similarities.  “Fundraising is a team sport,” Natalie notes, echoing what every successful legal team understands: collaboration and relationship-building are essential to achieving the best outcomes for clients.

Building Trust Through Community Connection
The “Communications” aspect of Natalie’s title reflects her comprehensive approach to community engagement through newsletters, social media, and outreach efforts.  Her approach to nonprofit work mirrors what we know about being effective in any job: Knowledge is power, and communication and trust are key to knowledge.

“Being a nonprofit in the community, we gain families’ trust, which is key to offering our services,” she explains.  This trust-building is fundamental to legal practice as well – clients must feel confident that their attorneys understand their needs and will advocate effectively on their behalf.

Natalie’s message to the families that MCHC serves reflects this understanding: “We see you; the community supports you.”  This simple but powerful statement embodies the kind of client-centered approach that defines exceptional legal service.

MCHC: Three Decades of Community Impact
MCHC has been serving families since 1991, originally formed by a collaboration of organizations, including the Chester County Health Department, March of Dimes of Southeastern PA, League of Women Voters, and Planned Parenthood of Chester County.  Their goal was to address gaps in prenatal care access for low-income families – a mission that required the same kind of strategic coalition-building that characterizes successful legal advocacy.

Today, MCHC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit “committed to ensuring that children and families have what they need to build the foundation for lifelong health and well-being.”  With 30 caseworkers (most bilingual in Spanish) conducting home visits for families with children from prenatal to age five, they serve approximately 200 families annually and help initiate 2,000 benefits applications.

Programs That Make a Difference
MCHC’s comprehensive approach includes:

• The Family Center Program: Through the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model, certified Parent Educators partner with parents through personalized home visits to strengthen parenting skills, help children reach developmental milestones, promote school readiness, and connect families to health care and other community resources.
• Birth Doula Support: Trained doulas provide support during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum, offering education, advocacy, and comfort measures to ensure moms feel informed, supported, and empowered.
• Child Advocacy Services: Focused on families involved in the child welfare system, Parent Educators work to ensure child safety while helping families address the underlying challenges that impact long-term stability and well-being.

Supporting the Mission
MCHC sustains its work through the generosity of community partners, grants, special events, and individual donors who are committed to strengthening families across Chester County.  Upcoming events include:

• Pints with a Purpose: A happy hour fundraiser on May 20 at Locust Lane Craft Brewery in Malvern
• Annual Breakfast Fundraiser: October 1 at The Farmhouse at People’s Light in Malvern

See how MCHC is making a difference and find ways to get involved at www.ccmchc.org.

Lessons for the Legal Profession
Natalie’s career journey offers valuable insights for legal professionals.  Her success demonstrates that the most impactful advocacy combines technical expertise with genuine relationship-building, clear communication with strategic thinking, and individual excellence with collaborative teamwork.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we recognize not only the historical contributions of women in law and advocacy, but also the contemporary professionals who continue to demonstrate that effective advocacy—whether in a courtroom or a community—requires the same fundamental skills: the ability to listen, to understand, to persuade, and to persist in the pursuit of justice and positive change.

This Women’s History Month, we salute the women who use their advocacy skills to strengthen our communities, whether through legal practice, nonprofit leadership, or the countless other ways they work to ensure that everyone has access to the support and resources they need to thrive.