Her Story
About Tia
Tia Taylor is a Senior Program Associate at WestEd and an experienced school finance consultant dedicated to helping education leaders maximize resources to improve student outcomes. With approximately 15 years of experience in education finance, including 10 years in consulting, Tia partners with state education agencies, school districts, and educational organizations to develop equitable funding strategies and strengthen financial systems. Her expertise spans school finance, resource allocation, leadership development, and federal grants management, enabling organizations to effectively coordinate and align funding sources to meet the diverse needs of students.
After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from California State University–Sacramento, Tia transitioned from accounting to education finance after learning about the inequities that exist within school funding systems. Throughout her career with WestEd, San Juan Unified School District, and Roseville City School District, she has helped education leaders navigate complex federal funding requirements, fiscal compliance, and strategic resource allocation. She is particularly recognized for her expertise in blending and braiding federal, state, and local funds to maximize educational impact while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.
Driven by a passion for educational equity, Tia combines financial expertise with collaborative leadership to support sustainable, student-centered solutions. She regularly delivers professional development, technical assistance, and strategic guidance on topics including federal grants administration, fiscal compliance, and resource allocation. Committed to fostering meaningful partnerships among educators, families, and community stakeholders, Tia continues to empower school leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to create stronger educational systems and expand opportunities for students across the country.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my own educational experience. I grew up as a free and reduced price lunch meal child and experienced both good and not-so-good education, which showed me why this work is so important.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Not to take things personally. I get really attached to the work that I do and can get disappointed or hurt by outcomes, but it's not about me - it's the system or the time isn't right.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Relationships are the most important part of anything we do. Build relationships first because every day brings different challenges. Do your research and double-check because things may not be what you think. Be open to possibilities and remember that no is not an answer - find a way to make it possible.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is uncertainty around federal education funding. When things are in flux, it's hard to navigate personally and professionally, especially when states and districts look to us as experts but we can't provide guidance yet. Changing student needs, including social-emotional, also impact the work, and staying hopeful can be hard.
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