T. Tara Turk-Haynes

T. Tara Turk-Haynes is a strategist, builder, and storyteller who helps organizations turn equity from an initiative into a business advantage. She believes storytelling isn’t just an art; it’s a strategic tool that shapes culture, builds inclusion, and drives results.
Through her company, Equity Activations, Tara partners with organizations to embed measurable equity practices across talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational culture. Her work focuses on transforming good intentions into scalable, systemic action where equity is not a statement of values but a driver of business performance and belonging.
As a first-generation college graduate and corporate leader, Tara brings a grounded and inclusive perspective to every room she’s in. Her lived experience informs her belief that systems should be built with everyone in mind, from the most represented to the most overlooked, so that access, opportunity, and success are never left to chance.
With more than 15 years in People, Culture, and Talent strategy, Tara has designed programs that reimagine how companies hire, lead, and grow. Her approach blends data, process, and narrative to equip leaders to build workplaces where every voice contributes to the story of success.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Tara’s insights have been featured in Fast Company, Redefining HR, and on stages like Culture First and RecFest. She champions a future of work defined by inclusion, innovation, and impact, where people and business don’t just coexist but thrive together.