I’m Tara Harwood, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Product Manager for Action Network! I look forward to working with all of you as I step into this role. I’m proud to join the Product team led by our amazing Director, Mari Vangen-Strom, which also includes our excellent Action Builder Product Manager, Suzi Grishpul. Many of you might already know me from different areas of the movement, and for those I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, I truly look forward to the opportunity to connect with you soon!
Through my experience, I’ve learned how important it is that the tools we use to power our movement are built the right way. The movement’s tools are simply better when they are built with principles and by the people who use them. That’s why I’m proud to join a team where product development is genuinely collaborative rather than top-down. The Cooperative Development Process ensures the product remains accountable to organizers, not investors. That’s rare in this space, and I’m proud to be part of it.
My Experience in the Progressive Tech Space
I’ve spent the past decade working in technology and data strategy at Action Kit and for organizations like 350.org, Color of Change, Ekö, and Movement Labs. I’ve worked with these advocacy groups to build out reporting infrastructure, troubleshoot deliverability issues, manage donation processors, and generally transform patchworks of disparate tools into integrated workflows that support the organizing and campaign work.
“I’m proud to join a team where product development is genuinely collaborative rather than top-down.”
A Little More About Me
I live just outside San Francisco with my daughter, who recently graduated college. She is also my long-time creative collaborator on our countless short stories, goofy games, and the occasional true crime parody podcast. We also live with our little dog, Jem, whose favorite pastimes include eating, sleeping, and receiving attention from her devoted fan base.
Be sure to check out our upcoming Action Network trainings, which you can view and learn more about on our events calendar here. To make sure you’re receiving product updates and release emails, add your name here.