About

Chief Sustainability & Impact Officer

Tara McKinney
she/her/hers

Tara is a people-centric problem solver.

Over the course of 15+ years, Tara mentored nonprofit leaders of 55+ projects in the U.S., Europe, and Africa in program and people management.

During this time, she witnessed a common thread preventing organizations from greater sustainability and impact: a work culture that normalized self-sacrifice and data as a means to keep donors and upper management appeased.

These default approaches kept staff and services in survival mode. They reduced staff health, loyalty, and morale as well as blocked innovative solutions.

Tara is known as a systems thinker who offers organizations clear insights, tools, and approaches from both the social sciences and healing arts. Her mission is to help create learning organizations that consistently get better in how they do business on the inside and outside.

Education

Master of Science in Development
(School of Oriental and African Studies, London)
Master of Divinity
(University of Notre Dame, Indiana)
Bachelor of Arts in Theology, History, and Peace Studies
(University of Notre Dame, Indiana)

license & certifications

Licensed Zumba Basics Instructor
   (Zumba, INC., Level 1)
Certified Ayurveda Wellness Coach
     (The Shakti School, 300h)
Certified Yoga Instructor
     (Laughing Lotus, 200h)
Certified Reiki Practitioner
(Rainbow Star Reiki, Levels I & II)

trainings

Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Training
   (Trauma Center, 20 hours)
Trauma Recovery Yoga Training
   (Trauma Recovery Yoga, 25 hours)
Yoga and Social Justice Training
   (Laughing Lotus, 25 hours)
Restorative Yoga Training
   (Laughing Lotus, 25 hours)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
   (New Roads Behavioral Health, Levels I & II)

PAST PARTNERS

I've had the pleasure to work with a variety of nonprofits. Here are a few:

Covenant House New Orleans
Cross Catholic Outreach
Cross International
Institute for Ministry, Loyola University New Orleans
Maryknoll Lay Missioners
L'Arche International