Taejah J. Harper

I like to think of myself as someone who wears many hats. Always creating, connecting and making things happen. My career journey has taken me across industries, but the common thread running through every role has been the power of communication. Whether I'm telling the day's top story or sharing a student's transformational experience through philanthropy, I lead with passion, presence and purpose to make sure each message not only resonates but reaches the right people in the right way.

As Assistant Director of Development at the University of Georgia's Grady College, I lead fundraising initiatives that help open doors for students and strengthen alumni and industry partnerships. My work is grounded in purpose. I research donor prospects, analyze prospect data and manage annual giving campaigns and donor engagement efforts that support life-changing opportunities for students. I thrive behind the scenes with lots of planning to make sure meaningful connections are made.

Before stepping into fundraising, I honed my storytelling skills as a Multiplatform Producer for the #1 station in the Central Georgia market. There, I led the production of hour-long newscasts, coordinated breaking news coverage and managed a team of reporters, anchors and editors to deliver timely, impactful content. I also developed digital strategies, created social content and used analytics to drive audience engagement.

Later, as a Training and Communications Specialist at the UGA Foundation, I blended my love for strategy and systems. I developed multimedia training resources, led instructional sessions (both virtual and in person) and partnered with internal clients to design thoughtful communication plans. My role focused on helping others navigate complex systems more confidently by streamlining processes, enhancing adoption and ultimately improving the user experience.

At the core of it all, I'm a communicator. I bring clarity to complexity and energy to every endeavor. Whether I'm planning a stewardship campaign, launching a training or refining my next portfolio project, I approach each task with heart and intention.

When I'm not working, you can find me throwing punches at the boxing gym, catching up on reality TV or spending time with my family.

I live by the words of Maya Angelou:

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."