Tara Denning is a people-focused leader whose career and personal life have been shaped by a lifelong commitment to service and community. A native New Yorker, Tara began volunteering at age 10 with HorseAbility, a therapeutic horseback riding program that sparked her passion for giving back. From an early age, she saw how small acts of kindness could leave a lasting mark, and she’s carried that belief into every chapter of her life.

Professionally, Tara serves as the Director of Talent Management and Compensation at SupplyHouse.com, where she partners closely with the company’s leadership team to develop strategies that support growth, talent development, and organizational design. Her ultimate goal is to ensure employees have the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed.

Over her career at SupplyHouse.com, Tara has worked across nearly every area of human resources, including payroll, benefits, compliance, employee engagement, and employee relations. She spent several years in talent acquisition, eventually becoming Head of Talent Acquisition, where she helped scale the company during a period of rapid, double-digit growth. This broad experience shaped her belief in the value of people-centered leadership and thoughtful, intentional workplace strategy.

Tara earned her bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University and her master’s from Columbia University. She is an active member of the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM).

Now living in Delaware, Tara continues to stay active in her community by volunteering at local events and partnering with Humane Animal Partners to foster and care for animals in need. Her lifetime dedication to volunteerism earned her the Presidential Call to Service Award for completing over 4,000 volunteer hours.

Drawn to Defeat the Streets by its mission and the shared belief that compassion can transform communities, Tara saw an opportunity to be part of something meaningful alongside people who care deeply about uplifting others. As a newly appointed Executive Committee member, she brings her strategic leadership, HR expertise, and lifelong passion for service to help shape the organization’s future.

Outside of work and volunteering, Tara enjoys horseback riding, cooking, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her fiancé, Andrew.