Nina Esaki joined the Sanctuary Institute in October 2010. Prior to then, she was a Research Assistant Professor at the Ruth H. Young Center for Families & Children at the University of Maryland School of Social Work where her major responsibility was co-leading the research with DHR/SSA on evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of child welfare services in Maryland. She also has extensive research experience, while at the Center for Human Services Research at the University at Albany School of Social Welfare, in collaboration with the New York State Office of Children and Families.

She obtained her PhD in 2008 from the University at Albany School of Social Welfare, an MSW from Fordham, an MBA from Columbia and a BA from Johns Hopkins. Prior to her career in social work, she spent a number of years in the corporate human resources field.