Tamir D. Harper

About Tamir D. Harper

Tamir D. Harper is a visionary non-profit leader, education advocate, and external relations strategist committed to driving impactful change. With expertise in strategizing solutions, engaging diverse stakeholders, supporting organizational growth, board governance, and empowering communities, Tamir’s leadership reshapes systems and delivers measurable, lasting results.As the Co-Founder and former Executive Director of UrbEd Inc, Tamir led transformative policy advocacy benefiting thousands of urban students, forged strategic partnerships to amplify impact, and secured critical resources to expand programs. After five years of groundbreaking leadership, Tamir transitioned the organization to the next generation of education advocates.Currently serving as Sr, Director of Development, External Affairs & Impact at a 56-year-old education institution, Tamir oversees $4 million in fundraising, communications, partnerships, and government affairs, driving growth and sustainability.Tamir’s impactful work has been spotlighted in The Washington Post, TIME Magazine, and GMA 3, and his leadership continues to earn him recognition as a trusted advisor to leaders and stakeholders across sectors. Guided by a commitment to equity, innovation, and systemic transformation, Tamir strives to create a legacy of lasting impact.But Tamir is more than just an advocate; he\'s a dog dad to his energized Labradoodle, Tiger. In addition to his academic achievements and advocacy work, Tamir is a life member and former international board member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

Experience

1. Sr Director, Development, External Affairs & Impact

   Philadelphia Academies, Inc.

   Jan 2025 — Present · Philadelphia, PA, US

   Promoted in recognition of strategic leadership and cross-functional impact, increasing organizational revenue by 20% while expanding my portfolio to include oversight of the Data & Impact division and support of administrative operations (IT, HR, Facilities, and others) in partnership with senior leadership—alongside continued leadership of development, communications, marketing, government affairs, and board relations.Key Achievements and Responsibilities: Team Leadership: Serve on the organization’s leadership team and supervise staff and consultants within the development & external affairs team. Increased Funding: Secured over in new funding within 6 months, bolstering the organization’s financial stability and expanding program reach. Brand Transformation: Led a comprehensive brand refresh, including a new logo, website, communications strategy, and one-pagers, positioning the organization as a leader in education and workforce development. Strategic Partnerships: Oversaw the design and implementation of systems to streamline and grow business partnerships, strengthening community and corporate engagement. Citywide Recognition: Spearheaded efforts to have the organization formally recognized by City Council for the first time in its 57-year history, elevating its profile and impact. Union Engagement: Successfully increased union participation in programs, fostering deeper collaboration and alignment with the organization’s mission. Financial Oversight: Coordinated monthly finance meetings with the finance team to discuss budgeting and ensure the organization’s financial health and sustainability. 86 cents of every dollar goes to students. Cloud-Based Transition: Supported the coordination of moving to a cloud-based accounting system, improving financial processes, efficiency, and data accessibility. Data and Impact: Led the re-imagination of impact tracking

Education

• American University

  Doctor of Education - EdD, Education Policy and Leadership

• American University

  Bachelor's degree, Public Relations & Strategic Communication

• University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

  M.S.Ed, English/Language Arts Teacher Education

Skills

• Public Relations
• Policy
• Public Policy
• Event Planning
• Microsoft Office
• Politics
• Social Media
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Project Management
• Leadership Development
• Research
• Budgets
• Community Outreach
• Political Campaigns
• Public Speaking
• Leadership
• Training
• Volunteer Management
• Customer Service
• Networking
• Management
• Team Building
• Program Development
• Strategic Planning