Nonprofits are often seen as feel-good organizations, but they are also mission-driven businesses that fill critical gaps in our society. Teaching allows me to help students understand this duality and to see themselves as future leaders, board members, and changemakers.
Director, M.A. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership
What interests me most about the nonprofit field is its breadth and flexibility. You can find a nonprofit in nearly every area of interest—which makes it both an exciting and, at times, misunderstood career path. Many of us arrive here from unexpected directions. I started in nonprofit arts management in 2002 and have since enjoyed exploring nearly every facet of the field. My work in higher education has deepened that experience, particularly through university-community partnerships at both the local and state levels. At its core, this work is about collaboration; messy, meaningful, and essential; and that’s what keeps me engaged year after year.
I teach because I’m passionate about connecting real-world experience with academic insight. After more than 20 years working in and alongside nonprofit organizations, I find great joy in sharing practical strategies while exploring the theory that underpins the sector. Nonprofits are often seen as feel-good organizations, but they are also mission-driven businesses that fill critical gaps in our society. Teaching allows me to help students understand this duality and to see themselves as future leaders, board members, and changemakers. I love creating space for real-time discussions about why nonprofits operate the way they do, and how they can adapt and evolve to meet community needs.
My teaching philosophy is rooted in the idea of practice to research to practice. I believe students should understand both the theory and history that shape the nonprofit sector, as well as how to apply that knowledge in real-world settings. By using innovative and relevant models, I help students identify common organizational needs, connect them to validated research and best practices, and translate those into practical strategies. Education should be grounded in theory and always oriented toward application in the field.
I hope students leave my classes with a deep appreciation for the nonprofit sector and a clear understanding of the many roles they can play within it. I want them to feel confident applying what they’ve learned in service to their communities and to approach their work with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to innovate.
I’m a proud Triple Dawg and a former member of the Redcoat Marching Band. Music was where I first discovered my passion for the nonprofit sector, and that experience continues to shape my work today. I especially enjoy facilitation and collaboration, which are central to everything I do.
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.