Naomi Giancola is a data scientist at America Needs You (ANY), a non-profit that helps ambitious, low-income, first-generation college students achieve success. Naomi also runs a small data science consulting business (NDAc).

Naomi’s life truly changed when they were accepted to Smith College as a Posse Scholar in 2019. They were surrounded by leaders with incredible ideas and drive, which pushed Naomi to think harder and beyond the bounds of what already existed. On March 13th, 2020, Smith College sent all students home, starting Naomi’s experience of the worldwide journey into quarantine. While back home in Brooklyn, NY, Naomi found themselves drawn to community support. They volunteered to be a math tutor for NYC students and became a frequent donator (and user!) to the “Free Store” near their childhood home. Naomi is now a frequent participant in their local “Buy Nothing” group and works to get much needed supplies to refugee families.

When Naomi came across the Mountaintop RIVET Fellowship, they immediately knew they wanted to apply and knew what they would do. Since the Free Store in Naomi’s neighborhood had been removed due to construction on the building it sat outside of, they have been wanting to create another resource for the community. To start, Naomi plans on opening a “Period Pantry.” A place where girls, women, and AFAB (assigned female at birth) people can come to get free period supplies. Naomi hopes that by getting the initial funding and creating the infrastructure, the Period Pantry can become another community staple. They hope that it will take on a life of its own; with community members donating supplies when they are able and taking supplies when needed.