Career
Senior Manager, Fund Development, February 2025 to present
Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk, CT
Develop and execute multi-channel campaigns, cultivate major donor relationships, generate corporate engagement, and secure grants to drive sustainable growth for an award-winning, regional nonprofit children's museum dedicated to inspiring learning through play, fostering curiosity and creating meaningful experiences for children and families. Skilled in team leadership, donor stewardship, and performance-driven development strategies.
Marketing Director (Contracted), April 2024 - February 2024
Mianus River Press, Greenwich, CT
Marketing and Public Relations for “In Their Presence: Untold Stories of Women and Children During the AIDS Epidemic” for independent press publisher.
Grant Writer (Contracted), October 2023 - October 2024
Common Denominator (formerly Top Honors, Inc.), New York City
Write and research grant proposals to raise funds in support of math education equity for youth across New York City through year-round, free, quality math tutoring and mentorship.
Deputy Campaign Manager, April - November 2022
Dita Bhargava for CT Treasurer, Connecticut
Supported candidate's run for Connecticut State Treasurer and her commitment to moving the state forward for a stronger, more prosperous and balanced future for all CT residents.
Program Manager, March 2020 to October 2020
World Affairs Forum, Stamford, CT
Organized and implemented programs that create conversations in our community about global affairs and America's role in the world.
Co-founder and Grassroots Organizer
Pink Wave Action, Stamford, CT, January 2020 - Present
Promote and advocate for gender equity and justice; Elevate women, femmes, and gender-expansive people. Create community activities that support an inclusive feminist vision and intersectional racial, gender & reproductive justice. pinkwave.org
Co-founder and Community Organizer
The ENOUGH Campaign, Stamford, CT, December 14, 2012 - Present
Civic action organization committed to ending community gun violence theenoughcampaign.com
Founder
Stamford Pediatric Gun Safety Project, Stamford, CT, 2017
As a student project of the Stamford Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), this project was created to collect and analyze empirical evidence of the barriers that Stamford pediatricians face while providing anticipatory guidance on firearm safety. Pediatricgunsafety.org
Fundraiser and Social Media Manager
Parent Faculty Organization, Stark Elementary School, Stamford, CT, 2014 to 2023
Nonprofit organization of parents, guardians, and faculty whose purpose is to aid and support the students and teachers of Julia A. Stark Elementary School
Social Media Manager
I Vote Gun Safety Campaign, 2014 elections
The I Vote Gun Safety Political Action Committee was dedicated to supporting voting #GunSafety and civic involvement in the prevention gun violence
Founder and CEO
Handfastings Media and Publications, Westchester, NY and Stamford, CT, May 2004 - 2016
Lead Handfastings.org & Handfastings Magazine; Established First International Source for Handfasting Officiants; Advocate for U.S. LGBTQA+ “Same-Sex” Marriage, 2004 - June 26, 2015
Development Consultant, Non Profit
The Greater Contribution, Thousand Oaks, CA (remote), January - March 2008
Consulted in the development of and created solutions for TGC's mission of breaking the chains of poverty for women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa. Helped with board and strategic fundraising development. [Photo: The Greater Contribution]
Instructor
Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary, Index, WA (remote), January 2008 - September 2008
Developed and taught core and elective curriculum at the state-recognized Wiccan seminary, the first of its kind to gain such recognition from the State of Washington's Higher Education Coordinating Board
Director of Development
Dress for Success Worldwide, New York City, 2004 - 2007
Raised funds and increased sustainability for global non-profit that provides a network of support, professional attire and the tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Director of Development
EIS Housing Resource Center (Eviction Intervention Services), New York City, 1997 - 2004
Lead Development and Fundraising team in support of preventing homelessness in NYC (Formerly Eviction Intervention Services)
Supervisor of Fundraising
National Organization for Women - NYC, The Founding Chapter, New York City, 1995 - 1997
Led phone banking and fundraising initiatives in support of the original Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and other protections for women
Community Advocate
New York Public Interest Research Group, 1992
Advocated and raised funds for local environmental projects; lobbied for stronger environmental laws
In Service
Committee Member, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA) Committee, Nov. 2021 - present
Mayor Simmons’ Transition Team IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility) Policy Committee for the City of Stamford, post election.
Strategic Planner Consultant (Volunteer), The Should Project, 2023 - Present
Clark County, Nevada-based food security non-profit upstart dedicated to ending hunger using a zero-waste strategy
Board Member, CT Against Gun Violence, July 2018 - March 2021; Secretary, May 2020 to March 2021
Dedicated to ending gun violence in Connecticut through the development and passage of gun safety legislation
Board Member, League of Women Voters Stamford, July 2018 - May 2021
Grassroots network to make democracy work for all citizens through the promotion of voting and civic engagement
Handfasting Officiant, 2004 - present
Performing weddings and rites of passage; Founder, Handfastings Org - an international resource for couples and families looking to find celebrants who perform handfasting ceremonies
Community Organizing
#PinkWave2020 Rally for Women’s Rights
Co-organizer with the Stamford Women's Talking Circle, with support from Women's March CT, in the spirit of the marches being held across the country, January 2020.
Attendance: 200 >>
Impeach Trump rally
Co-organizer with the Stronger Together CT community action group, December 2019
Attendance: 100 >>
"We Won't Go Back!"
Co-organizer for rally in front of the Stamford Government Center, to protest the wave of new anti-abortion laws in states across the U.S., May 2019
Attendance: 100 >>
Speak Your Truth: Open Mic Night for Teens
Co-organizer: Students express their views on a variety of subjects affecting youth today through performance.
Attendance: 60 >>
Stamford March for Our Lives
Co-organizer of rally for gun safety, Mill River Park, March 2018
Attendance: 3,000 >>
Co-organizer, (annual ongoing events)
Op-Eds, Letters to the Editor
“Public figures should be held accountable for antisemitic behavior”
“Jacobson Will Protect Abortion Access“
Stamford Advocate, August 8, 2024
Opinion: Jacobson Will Protect Abortion Access by Shira Tarantino
“Combating gender bias is crucial in government”
Greenwich Free Press, March 20, 2024
“Simmons stood up ‘for women locally to have rights over their own bodies’”
Stamford Advocate, Oct 11, 2021
“Dershowitz paints his client as a fool”
Stamford Advocate, February 7, 2020
“Innovations needed in wake of fatal accident”
Stamford Advocate, September 4, 2019
“Becoming mothers to each others’ children”
Stamford Advocate, June 2, 2017
Shira was featured in Today's Wonder Women: Everyday Superheroes Who Are Changing the World
From author Asha Dahya, Today's Wonder Women: Everyday Superheroes Who Are Changing the World chronicles "women and female-identifying heroes who have defied death, flouted cultural norms, and risen above poverty to become CEOs, entrepreneurs, activists, role models, media moguls, and movement creators."
I am honored to have been included with such esteemed leaders.