Influential Woman · Nonprofit

Erika Terhaar

Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, By Faith Farm

Hermitage, TN

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Master's in Educational Leadership Degree Undergrad degree (graduated 2010) Member Young Leaders Council (Nashville) Member Nashville Cable Nonprofit Leadership Exchange Program Member Board of Directors for local school system Member Board Intern at Special Olympics

Her Story

About Erika

I have always been a helper since I was little, with a love for making an impact on my local community. As I learned more about nonprofits and how widespread nonprofit work can be, I found myself first working in schools, having a passion for bettering our younger generation and working with children. I've always enjoyed working with people of all ages and abilities, which is something that's near and dear to my heart. I served as an assistant principal and school administrator at a Therapeutic Day School, working with individuals with developmental disabilities. After having my first son at the height of the pandemic, I took a break from schools and did some consulting with nonprofits. I really wanted to get out of my house and give back, so I found the farm where I'm currently working and started helping them with development, volunteer management, and some behind-the-scenes technical pieces. That transformed into my current role as Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at By Faith Farm in Jolton, Tennessee, where our mission is growing food and donating 100% of that food to local food agencies. My role involves developing and overseeing donor engagement, everything from individual gifts to foundation support and grant writing, as well as cultivating and managing strategic partnerships with corporations. Some days I'm at the farm with my hands in the dirt working with volunteers and harvesting fresh produce, and other days are spent networking or attending meetings with leadership organizations within the nonprofit sector. I've always been influenced by others, and that storytelling aspect has been huge in my nonprofit work.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Erika

01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say have a passion for what's possible. You can do anything, and leverage the relationships that you have, and try not to say no. Try and stay solution-oriented.

02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I think one of the biggest challenges that's always gonna face the nonprofit sector is just overall funding and the political landscape changing that, you know, year to year, day-to-day, even. I think it's a challenge in that we really are needing to diversify our funding and get creative with how we are making sure that our programming can happen. Another challenge is kind of tied to funding - we have a pretty small budget, and so it is our team members wearing a lot of different hats, and that can lead to burnout. Solutions being reaching out to other team members that are in similar situations and getting strategies from them, and then always taking time to practice what I'm preaching to my team members, and getting out and taking walks, and finding those particular stress-busting activities for myself personally.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I think it's reminding myself of the mission and why I do what I do, and especially working in food insecurity, very unfortunately, it's likely that it is not going away. In fact, statistics have been increasing. So I think it's realizing that I am doing great work in influencing my community and making that impact, but the work is not going away. I love spending time with my family, and being outside, and traveling, and trying to separate that care and leave work at work a bit more. I am trying to find those outlets and have that balance in my life.

Keep Exploring