By Nathaniel Luce
The Chief Development and Communications Officer of Hands On Nashville has been awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Vanderbilt Business’ Executive MBA program.
Tara Tenorio was selected by the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management to receive the two-year scholarship, awarded each academic year and valued at over $100,000.
Tara Tenorio
“Tara and Hands On Nashville exemplify our intent that Executive MBA students and alumni find ways to improve and transform their local communities,” says Juli Bennett, Executive Director of the Vanderbilt Executive MBA program. “We believe that having Tara and her nonprofit voice in the classroom will inspire her Executive MBA peers to dedicate their time and resources to that end. We are excited to welcome her to the Owen family!”
As Chief Development and Communications Officer, Tenorio leads internal strategy and external relations for Hands On Nashville, a local nonprofit that builds capacity for individuals and agencies to meet needs through service.
“Hands On Nashville’s unique opportunity within our city is to help reimagine volunteer potential,” said Tenorio. “This runs in parallel to the potential Owen’s Executive MBA Program helps realize for its students, both as leaders for their organizations and as contributors to the community.”
A Dallas native, Tenorio moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human and Organizational Development as well as Spanish Language and Literature. She remained in the city to join Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s successful re-election campaign and, subsequently, served the administration until 2011. She continued her career in community relations, with roles supporting Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s healthy-living initiatives, as well as the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s work in flood recovery. A proud volunteer herself, Tenorio chaired the Nashville Adult Literacy Council’s Board of Directors and acted as a board member for six years. She also lends a hand to anyone seeking out the best-kept secrets in Nashville dining.
“Owen’s Nonprofit Management scholarship is a shining example of how the university invests in our community,” Tenorio said. “As both a proud alumna and longtime Nashvillian, I am honored to be the recipient of such generous support.”
Vanderbilt Business launched the sponsorship program in 2006 to give career assistance to one deserving nonprofit executive each year. Applications are open to executives and senior staff members of any 501(c)(3) organization who have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving in the nonprofit sector. The scholarship is offered in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management. Tenorio was chosen from a pool of admitted applicants coming into the highly ranked Executive MBA program.
To learn more about Vanderbilt’s Executive MBA program, click here.
To learn more about available scholarship opportunities for Executive MBA students, click here.
