We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Tahri. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.
Hi Laura, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience feels like one of my superpowers. It’s hard to pinpoint how much of it comes from nature versus nurture, but I suspect my upbringing played a significant role in shaping it. Growing up as the only girl in a farming family with two older brothers, and later a younger half-brother, amidst the complexities of divorce and remarriage, certainly added layers to my story.
Life on the farm was far from easy or forgiving. Responsibility was non-negotiable, and each of us had a role to play in the unrelenting cycle of chores and challenges. This environment taught me not just the value of hard work but also how life continues, no matter how difficult the circumstances. It wasn’t just the farm that shaped me—our family dynamic played a significant part as well.
My mother left when I was three, leaving my brothers and me with our father on the farm. Fortunately, he remarried, and we gained a stepmother. I embraced her, perhaps because I was so young, but my brothers didn’t share that sentiment. They resented her and later our younger half-brother when he came into the picture.
Being surrounded by my wild, boisterous brothers meant I had to be adaptable. But it wasn’t all playful roughhousing; my father, while hardworking, had narcissistic and physically abusive tendencies. Mistakes or half-hearted efforts were often met with reactions that were anything but forgiving. Witnessing this taught me resilience in a visceral way—how to endure, how to stay grounded, and how to find strength in myself.
Then, there’s nature. I believe I came into the world with certain traits that have helped me weather life’s storms. I’m naturally curious, deeply observant, positive and quick to adapt to new circumstances. My humor is my secret weapon—an innate ability to find something funny, even in tough situations, has been a lifesaver. I’m also a Capricorn, and for whatever it’s worth, I find truth in the characteristics described in my natal chart. I’m grounded, ambitious, and determined, yet I navigate the world with a unique lens of humor and perspective. Perhaps it’s this combination of nature and nurture that has made resilience not just a skill, but an integral part of who I am.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
A Bold Pivot: My Journey from EEG to Nonprofit Work
Life has a way of nudging us toward unexpected paths, and I find myself at a fascinating crossroads. I’ve chosen to pivot—leaving behind a long and successful career to strike out in an entirely new direction. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been deeply rewarding as I continue to learn, grow, and navigate each turn with purpose and positivity.
My journey has been anything but conventional. I’ve come a long way from the girl who grew up outside a small village in Wisconsin, shaped by the challenges of being the child of two divorces. At just 17, I moved to Houston to live with my long-lost mother, and by 18, I had to forgo college to start working right away.
By my early twenties, life had thrown me into the deep end. I married a man battling narcissism and alcoholism, had twin daughters, and eventually divorced by age 31. Those ten years were a whirlwind of hard lessons and growth. Being a single mother to my beautiful twin daughters, now grown, has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles of my life. I’m honored to have raised them into good, kind humans—not perfectly, but with all the love and effort I could muster.
One constant throughout my life has been my work. Without the opportunity to attend college, I relied on wit, skill, and a healthy dose of charm to forge my career. I started in retail and restaurant jobs, gradually transitioning into office operations and administrative roles just as computers were becoming workplace staples. Most of my opportunities came through connections, a testament to the value of building relationships.
Then came a stroke of luck—or perhaps fate—that changed everything. A neighbor introduced me to the field of EEG (Electroencephalogram), and I learned to become an EEG technician on the job. The work was a perfect fit. EEG is methodical and precise, but it also demands confidence, empathy, patience, and charm. For 24 years, I thrived in this field, and it served me well in return.
Why did I leave EEG after so many fulfilling years? The reasons are complex, but ultimately, I walked away from the highest position and salary I’d ever achieved. And where did I land? Nonprofit work.
Crazy, right? Some might think so, but for me, it felt like the natural next step. This pivot is more than just a career change—it’s a leap toward a life aligned with my evolving passions, values, and goals. I now find myself drawn into the dynamic and inspiring world of women’s empowerment. Currently, I serve as the Director of Community Engagement & Events for the nonprofit, CCC Leadership Program for Women, dedicated to the personal and professional growth of women in education and nonprofit sectors. Additionally, I’ve joined the board of another female-centric organization, the Girl Cave, further deepening my commitment to this cause.
Both of these opportunities came through relationships with two incredible, yet distinctly different women—proof of how connections and shared visions can open doors to meaningful work. Together, these roles allow me to channel my energy into creating spaces where women can connect, grow, and thrive. The path ahead is undoubtedly uncertain, but that doesn’t intimidate me. I’m stepping forward with the same resilience and determination that have carried me through life’s challenges. This new chapter feels like a culmination of everything I’ve learned and experienced—a chance to give back, grow further, and continue building a life rooted in purpose and passion.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Communication: The Heart of Connection. To me, communication is at the core of so much in life. Our lives largely revolve around relationships—spouses, children, parents, siblings, co-workers, bosses, clients, and countless others. Managing these relationships in a healthy way requires strong communication skills.
I’ve always loved language and the art of conveying thoughts, feelings, and concerns with clarity and intention. Whether it’s through direct communication or storytelling, the ability to connect with others through words is powerful. I find joy in using tools like hyperbole, allegory, and euphemisms to make conversations engaging and meaningful. Communication isn’t just about words; it’s about understanding and being understood, a skill that enriches every aspect of life.
Positivity: Choosing the Bright Side</b>
I’ve always maintained a generally positive outlook on life—not in a naïve, rose-colored-glasses way, but as a conscious choice to seek good outcomes and navigate challenges with hope. I don’t know exactly where this trait comes from, but as with resilience, I believe it’s a blend of nature and nurture that shapes my perspective.
I strive to find beauty and humor in life’s everyday moments. Even during difficult times, I envision a path back to stability and joy. Positivity doesn’t erase hardship, but it provides a lens through which I can see life’s silver linings, helping me approach each day with gratitude and optimism.
Empathy: Understanding the Human Experience
Empathy has been a guiding force in my life, shaped by my own experiences of being bullied, abused, and taken for granted, especially in my formative years. These challenges could have hardened me, but instead, they deepened my awareness of others’ struggles and reinforced my belief that we’re all in this together.
I hold a deep respect for people from all walks of life. While it’s impossible to fully understand someone else’s experience, I strive to imagine life through their lens, offering compassion and support wherever I can. That said, being empathetic comes with its challenges. Learning to set healthy boundaries has been a lifelong lesson for someone with a kind-hearted nature like mine. Empathy, when balanced with self-care, allows me to connect with others without losing myself in the process.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Building Relationships and Community: The Heart of My Role
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is the focus on community engagement. As a natural relationship-builder, I thrive on creating connections with women and organizations that value integrity, equity, and the meaningful contributions of women within their spaces.
I actively seek out opportunities to connect with women across all sectors—whether they are self-employed entrepreneurs, employees in for-profit ventures, or leaders in the nonprofit world. Through the two organizations I’m proud to be part of, we are fostering environments where women can come together to learn, grow, and thrive collectively.
These spaces are about more than professional development; they are about building a foundation of shared wisdom and vulnerability. By embracing our strengths and challenges, we create a sense of core resilience that lasts far beyond the confines of any meeting or event.
We’re also building a true sense of community—one where women can access resources, support one another with empathy during tough times, and celebrate victories, both big and small. It’s in these moments of connection that we find strength, inspiration, and a shared commitment to lifting one another up.
As I continue on this journey, I remain open to new relationships and collaborations. Together, we can forge meaningful connections that empower and uplift women in all facets of life and work.
Contact Info:
- Website: cccleadership.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltahri
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-tahri-5105002a/
Image Credits
GoldenLight Creative photo credit for my professional image
