Darla Bardine is a dedicated leader and advocate committed to reshaping policies and systems to enhance outcomes for young people and families facing homelessness, poverty, violence, and exploitation. Since joining the National Network for Youth (NN4Y) in 2013 as Policy Director and later advancing to Executive Director, Darla has been instrumental in revitalizing and refocusing the organization’s mission. Her leadership combines her expertise as a public interest attorney with a deep commitment to social justice.

Under Darla’s direction, NN4Y has adopted a comprehensive, intersectional approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness. She has built robust partnerships with key service providers and actively engages youth who have personally navigated homelessness, ensuring their voices are central to policy discussions. This innovative approach has led to the creation of NN4Y’s National Youth Advisory Council, the Policy Advisory Committee, and the annual National Summit on Youth Homelessness, significantly elevating the organization’s profile and impact.

Prior to her role at NN4Y, Darla established herself as a distinguished leader and grassroots organizer. She spearheaded the Fight Child Exploitation in Tourism Initiative in South Africa and led efforts at the federal level to transform policies impacting families disproportionately impacted by the legal courts system and child welfare system. Her advocacy at the federal level included securing assistance for families within the carceral and child welfare systems and working to end the belly shackling of incarcerated pregnant women.

Darla holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Pennsylvania State University, an M.A. in Nonprofit Management from the University of Roehampton, and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.