
Tara James
Director, Strategy & Operations
Tara has 20+ years of experience in business, government, and nonprofit management and communications, and leads with a fierce commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tara’s experience includes strategy, executive coaching, team facilitation and training, operations and financial management, community outreach and engagement, program management, policy analysis, and collective impact.
She has often worked at the intersection of business, government, philanthropy, and community, helping translate across fields, forge relationships between partners, and facilitate shared goals and social impact action plans. For TVA, Tara manages strategic business planning, leadership training, and develops internal policies and procedures to optimize the effectiveness and social impact of our services.
As a bold advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in communities and businesses, Tara’s ultimate goal is to help people discover their full personal and professional potential. She is an outstanding team player, insightful thinker, and great storyteller.
Tara’s experience includes advocating for social impact policies in D.C. revitalizing human services programs at the local, state, and national levels, and leading collective impact initiatives. She holds a Master of Education (EdM) in Human Development & Psychology from Harvard University and a second Master’s degree in Management and Leadership studies through Western Governors University (WGU).
Fun Fact:
Her first job was as a private investigator