Dreams Don't Work Unless You Do: Welcoming Marina Nikolic as Our First Operations Manager

At Voices JH, we talk a lot about creating pathways. Pathways for multicultural families to connect to community. Pathways for neighbors to find resources, relationships, and belonging. But pathways matter just as much inside our own organization.

That's why we're overjoyed to announce that Marina Nikolic has joined Voices JH as our first ever Operations Manager.

Marina first came to Voices JH as a Mobilizer, building trust and working directly with multicultural families across Teton County. She saw the power of connection and she also saw the real need for stronger internal systems.

Now, she's stepping into a brand new role to help build those systems.

A Role Made Possible by Community

This position was created through an Opportunities Grant from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, part of their Catalyst Grants program supporting capacity building and systems change in Teton County. Thanks to this investment, Voices JH can now build the internal systems we have always needed without pulling our team away from the families they serve.

As Operations Manager, Marina will oversee internal systems, staff support, compliance, and day to day operations. That means more time for our team to focus on what matters most: connecting families to community.

What a Mobilizer Does

A Community Mobilizer is a trusted peer, a resource navigator, and a bridge between Teton County organizations and multicultural families. The role is built on confidentiality, mutual respect, and deep relationships.

Mobilizers share resources via text and social media, help families complete applications, attend monthly meetings and leadership trainings, and give Voices JH honest feedback about what our community truly needs.

Marina did all of that. And then she did more.

Meet Marina

Marina is originally from Serbia and has lived in Jackson for 9 years. She is multilingual, speaking English, Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, and Macedonian, and she is currently polishing her Spanish.

Prior to joining Voices JH as a Community Mobilizer, Marina served and continues to serve as an Events Manager for Pinky G's Pizzeria and The Bunker. She holds a degree in Finance, Banking, and Accounting from Serbia and is passionate about continuing to grow in the financial field while also making a meaningful impact through her work with Voices JH.

Marina is also a proud mother of two daughters.

Creating Pathways to Leadership

At Voices JH, we are committed to creating meaningful pathways to leadership, especially for multicultural individuals who have been historically underrepresented in nonprofit leadership roles. Marina's journey from Mobilizer to Operations Manager reflects that commitment in action.

"This moment reflects who we are," said Alin Yuriko Badillo Carrillo, Executive Director of Voices JH. "Voices JH exists to support, engage, and connect multicultural families to community and that includes creating opportunities for growth within our own team. Marina's growth from Mobilizer to Operations Manager is our mission in motion. When we invest in our people, everyone rises."

Marina's Own Words

"It is a privilege to step into this new role," said Marina. "I am really grateful for the opportunity and excited for what is ahead for me and Voices JH. Dreams don't work unless you do :)"

We could not agree more, Marina. Welcome home.