Networking & Knowledge

Tephra is the Founder and CEO of Built to Last Nonprofit Solutions, LLC. Originally from Georgia, she graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science (Statesboro, GA) and obtained her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Piedmont College (Demorest, GA) in 2004. A few years later, she decided to attend the University of Phoenix to pursue a Doctoral of Management in Organizational Leadership. Tephra has over 25 years of experience in the social service, nonprofit sector, includes 18 years of nonprofit, executive leadership. Her professional experience includes organizational management and compliance, fund development with a focus on grant research and writing and fundraising, case management, volunteer management, staff development, public speaking, and nonprofit agency marketing. Tephra has had the opportunity to serve as Executive Director of several nonprofit organizations in Georgia, Northern Kentucky, and Ohio. Those agencies focused on homelessness, youth advocacy, workforce development, education, food disparity, and financial literacy.

She is a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals Greater Cincinnati Chapter and Impact 100 – Cincinnati Chapter (Equity Committee). She serves on the board of Public Allies Cincinnati. She was also a former CASA Volunteer (Hall and Clarke Co., GA).

Tephra spent many years working for nonprofit organizations in many roles. Throughout the years, she worked tirelessly to make sure she ran her positions effectively and efficiently by creating personal timelines and processes. As Executive Director, she found that she spent much time developing her small nonprofit agencies. She worked to create, enhance, and stabilize each organization. As she became visible in the communities in which she worked, her experience became noticeable to her peers. They began to refer friends and other agencies to her for help. Those same professionals tried to encourage her to start her own business to write grants. Feeling that the timing was not right, she continued her journey as a nonprofit administrator of organizations that provided services to those who were in need. In 2016, she made the big move to Cincinnati, OH to pursue a wonderful career opportunity. In 2023, she realized the time was right, pooled her resources, and started Built to Last Nonprofit Solutions, LLC to help nonprofit organizations manage for excellence!