Tara O’Brien has worked in the nonprofit sector throughout her professional career. She has worked at Cancer Services, Inc. for nearly 30 years in various roles and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. As the CEO of a local nonprofit, Tara has experience in all aspects of nonprofit management, program development, strategic planning, financial and grants management, board, staff and donor development, and evaluation and accountability. She is passionate about creating a culture that supports and encourages excellence within the nonprofit sector in order to make the greatest impact on our entire community.

Tara has served as the President of the local Agency Executive Association, on the Board of Directors for United Way of Forsyth County and United Way Foundation; as Investment Chair for the Women’s Leadership Council; on the Clemmons Community Foundation; as Community Service Vice President and President of the Rotary Club of Clemmons; and as a National Grant Reviewer, Grant Chair, and Board Vice President for the Susan G. Komen Northwest North Carolina Affiliate.

She holds a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Tara, and her husband, Bob, and son, Jeremiah live in Winston Salem, North Carolina. She is a two–time recipient of the Joel A. Weston, Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, the YWCA “Women of Vision” Leadership Award, the Jaycees’ “40 Leaders under 40” Award, and was most recently named as one of the Triad Business Journal’s 2020 C-Suite Award winners.