Lori Tiller
Director, M.A. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership (MA NML)
Lori Tiller is a nonprofit scholar and practitioner whose work focuses on building the leadership and operational capacity of nonprofit organizations. Her expertise spans board governance, strategic planning, volunteer management, and nonprofit leadership development, with a particular emphasis on human-centered design theory. She has applied this approach in both regional and community-based leadership programs, leading to the development of impactful community change projects
In addition to her research and nonprofit leadership, Lori integrates technology and facilitation techniques to help organizations and communities process strategic initiatives, reach consensus, and prioritize long-term goals. Her work in applied research and evaluation is aimed at improving the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations and leadership programs. She has collaborated with on-campus departments to facilitate strategic planning and implementation processes, and she worked extensively with nonprofit and community-based organizations to strengthen governance structures, improve planning initiatives, and enhance volunteer engagement.
As the Director of Research and Evaluation for the Embark Georgia Center, Lori leads statewide research initiatives to strengthen the systems that support students who have experienced foster care or homelessness. Her work enhances resources and collaboration among higher education, child welfare, and K-12 leaders who serve this population. Embark Georgia advances its mission through three core strategies: fostering collaborative relationships, facilitating information sharing, and building capacity across state agencies, nonprofits, and higher education institutions.
As a graduate of the MA NML program she now leads, Lori is committed to preparing future nonprofit leaders through a blend of research, evaluation, and applied leadership practice.