Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr

Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr, a proud native of Newark, New Jersey, and resident of East Orange, brings over 25 years of experience from the banking industry. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Marketing from Felician College, but her journey took a transformative turn when her 26-month-old son, was diagnosed with autism. Faced with the lack of services and resources for families like hers in her community, Nadine felt compelled to take action.

In 2012, she founded Nassan’s Place, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable educational and recreational programs, support services, emergency assistance, and other vital resources to families impacted by autism, particularly in underserved communities. Nadine understands the emotional and practical challenges of an autism diagnosis and ensures that her organization supports the entire family, not just the individual with autism.

Her relentless advocacy has garnered recognition from prominent figures, including the late Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, Congressman Donald Payne Jr., and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. Mayor Baraka and the City of Newark, recognizing her passion and dedication, gifted Nassan’s Place a site to build a state-of-the-art autism center, which will also include affordable housing. Nadine is currently focused on raising the necessary funds to bring this vision to life.

Nadine’s work is driven by her unwavering belief in the potential of children with autism and her commitment to ensuring that a family’s zip code does not determine access to essential resources. Her mantra, “Nassan’s Place can’t stop the diagnosis, but we can help the families affected by it,” encapsulates her enduring mission to empower families and improve their quality of life.