Tierney Fairchild is a tireless advocate for talent populations that often go unrecognized, working to improve outcomes and create inclusive pathways for growth. She is currently the co-founder and Executive Director of Resilience Education, which improves the economic mobility of individuals with a past criminal conviction through high-quality business education and professional support.
Her deep commitment to individuals with disabilities is rooted in her lived experience as the mother of a neurodivergent daughter, Naia. Her family’s journey was chronicled in the Boston Globe and the book Choosing Naia: A Family’s Journey (Beacon Press, 2003). She has spoken extensively in national media and at conferences, advocating for inclusive education and meaningful work and volunteer opportunities for all.
In addition to her advocacy, Tierney previously helped shape policy as a member of the Governor’s Board of Workforce Development in Virginia, where she served on the Access and Equity subcommittee. She holds a Ph.D. in Education Leadership and Policy Studies and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, and a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania.
