Tia Sherèe Gaynor

Tia Sherèe Gaynor, Ph.D. is an associate professor in leadership and management at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at University of Minnesota. Prior to joining the UMN faculty, Dr. Gaynor was an associate professor of political science and founding director of the Center for Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation at the University of Cincinnati.

Tia is a community-engaged scholar immersed in equity and inclusion. Her research explores the intersection of social justice, local government, and identity by focusing on the impact of identity-based narratives and social constructions on decision-making. Her most recent work sits at the nexus of mindfulness, narrative change, and racial healing as avenues for equity and justice. Dr. Gaynor works with the Center for Community Resilience in developing and implementing the Truth and Equity process with member organizations of the Building Community Resilience national coalition

Tia is also co-founder of Praxis Matters, LLC, a consulting firm that assists organizations, of all sizes, meet their equity and inclusion goals. Tia pairs empirical knowledge with practical solutions to center equity within organizations. Her work has been featured in top academic journals including Public Administration Review, Urban Affairs Review, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Public Integrity, among others. She has delivered talks across the country and has been featured in top media outlets. Dr. Gaynor is sought after for her expertise in equity, inclusion, identity and justice. She brings with her more than twenty years of experience in nonprofit administration, research, and evidenced-based curriculum development and training.