Influential Woman · Non Profit Leadership and Law

Courtney Thomas

Grant Strategy Consultant, Child Abuse Prevention Services of Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa, AL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's in Political Science from George Washington University (2011) Degree Master's of Divinity from Wake Forest School of Divinity (2017) Degree Juris Doctorate from Faulkner University (2025) Cert Global Human Rights Certification from UPN School of Law Member Vice Chair of the Africa Committee for the American Bar Association

Her Story

About Courtney

I work with nonprofits and various NGOs internationally to help them fine-tune their mission and create effective strategies to ensure they receive the funds necessary to continue making the impact they want to make. I look at structural issues that may be interfering with their ability to accomplish their mission and provide leadership guidance through one-on-one meetings with executive directors and their teams to bridge any gaps in communication. One of my most notable achievements was creating a proposal for an NGO that led to a memorandum of understanding with Unifari, the African component of the UN that works with people who have been incarcerated. That proposal helped the organization create a solid relationship and they are now implementing their vision slowly but securely in their region. I've been working in nonprofit leadership for about 10 years and in law for 4 years.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Courtney

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to my faith, my faith in God. I'm a Christian, so my faith in Jesus Christ, and the ability to remain in good community. Having that foundation of faith and being surrounded by good community has been essential to everything I've accomplished.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I ever received was: when things become difficult, remember that at one time you prayed for this. This advice helps me keep perspective during challenging times and reminds me to be grateful for the opportunities I have, even when they're hard.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say to take some of the pressure off of yourself and take time to tell yourself the truth about what you really want. When you discover that, go after that and be unwavering. Don't give up, even if you don't see it right away. Keep going, because eventually, it will come.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now revolve around funding. There's so much change happening in the nonprofit and NGO world, and securing funding is a major challenge. It's so important to have the right people on your team and the right grant strategy to get the resources you need to be successful. This is one of the biggest things we're dealing with right now.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Authenticity would probably be the number one value most important to me. Integrity is also very important. Being authentic and maintaining integrity in everything I do, both personally and professionally, guides how I approach my work and my life.

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