Employee Spotlight: Nastassia Pittman Finds Her Voice in Leadership and Service

For Nastassia Pittman, helping Toledo residents find a path to homeownership is more than part of her job. Toledo has been home her entire life, and serving the community that raised her has become deeply personal.

That connection was especially clear June 13, when Pittman served as Lead Co-Chair of the City of Toledo's third annual Homeownership Fair at Scott High School. About 30 vendors, including lenders, realtors and financial opportunity centers, helped residents learn about down payment assistance, mortgage qualification and the process of buying a home.

Pittman had spent the first two years as a co-chair, but stepping into the lead role brought a different kind of challenge.

"I was excited about the opportunity, but I was also learning what it meant to take a leadership role," she said. "I had to become comfortable speaking up, making decisions, working with different people and departments, and trusting myself throughout the process."

The confidence did not come all at once.

"Leadership was something I had to grow into," Pittman said. Pittman joined the City three years ago after spending 17 years in healthcare, where she developed a strong passion for helping and caring for others. She began as an Emergency Rental Assistance Specialist and now serves as a Clerk Specialist I in the Department of Housing and Community Development.

As both a Toledo resident and City employee, Pittman understands what it means to need someone who can help make a complicated process feel a little more manageable.

"I understand how important it is for residents to have someone who will listen, provide guidance, and help connect them with the resources they need," she said.

Her coworkers have noticed that commitment. In 2025-2026, Pittman received the Employee of the Year honor, the People's Choice Award and the Director's Choice Award. In 2023, she was recognized for exemplary performance in the design and execution of the Rooftop Program.

Rosalyn Clemens, Chief of Housing and Neighborhood Sustainability, presented Pittman with her awards. Pittman said the recognition from her coworkers made her feel "truly honored, appreciated, and encouraged."

Her growth has extended beyond her work in Housing and Community Development. Pittman also graduated from the Toledo Municipal Court Leaders Emerging And Developing, or L.E.A.D., Program and received a certificate from Toledo City Council members. The experience helped her grow both professionally and personally, she said.

Through those experiences, Pittman has developed a view of leadership that has little to do with having all the answers.

"Leadership doesn't always mean having all the answers," Pittman said. "Sometimes, leadership means being willing to learn, listen, and ask questions, bring people together, and trust yourself enough to take the next step."

It is a lesson she hopes her daughters will carry with them, too.

"I want them to see that it is possible to grow, step outside of your comfort zone, and accomplish things that you may not have initially believed you could," she said. "I want to lead by example and show them the importance of hard work, perseverance, and continuing to believe in yourself."

The Homeownership Fair gave Pittman a chance to put that lesson into practice.

"I am proud not only of the success of the Homeownership Fair, but also of the person I became through the process," she said.

And for Pittman, the work comes back to the place where it all began.

"Toledo has always been home to me and being able to serve the community that raised me is something I don't take for granted," she said.

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