In the last year, Torrie Taj, a two-time Titan 100, has learned that patience, passion and persistence truly pay off. For years, she has dreamed of expanding her knowledge and professional development through the prestigious Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Fellowship. After applying for years without securing the appointment, her persistence paid off.
She received the news of her acceptance into the esteemed fellowship and she said the timing could not have been more perfect. “After years of longing, the weight of this achievement is not lost on me and I am ready to seize every moment,” said Taj. “This fellowship will give me the opportunity to connect with other nonprofit industry professionals in an effort to better connect with the population we serve and my employees.”
Taj serves as the chief executive officer of Child Crisis Arizona, a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide children and youth in Arizona a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong and successful families. Since 2021, the organization has embarked on a mission to raise $25 million to kick-start the construction of its groundbreaking initiative, the Center for Child and Family Wellness.
“Over the past year, I have been astounded by the outpouring of support that has flooded in, and through sheer dedication and relentless effort, I am overjoyed to announce that we not only met but exceeded our fundraising target well ahead of schedule, paving the way for the commencement of construction of our visionary new headquarters,” said Taj.
This achievement underscores the pressing need for such a facility within the community and has been a journey marked by impassioned conversations, outreach efforts and a steadfast commitment to the cause, she said.
As a leader, Taj said it is her duty to continually network and connect with other leaders in the community to identify efficiencies and trends while being a resource to each other. “These personal connections help me anticipate changes and think toward solutions,” she said. “I make a personal effort to be available to not only the employees in my own organization, who are the boots on the ground in the work we are doing, but also to other nonprofit leaders who are in need of mentorship or advice.”
As a mentor, Taj said she is a fervent advocate for the transformative power of mentorship. “The true measure of mentorship lies in the moments when individuals recognize their own potential and achieve meaningful change,” she said.
