The Rosie in Action series shares the stories of women in our community who are making a difference in their organizations, serving on boards, living into their passions, and positively impacting the world around them. Tara Benson is the Executive Director of The Victim Center. The Victim Center provides free-of-charge services to victims of violent and/or sexual crimes through 24-hour crisis response, individual and group counseling, personal advocacy, and court support. The Victim Center also provides school and community-based prevention education and training. As a Springfield transplant, Tara has made an unforgettable impact on our community – and she’s not done yet. Keep reading to hear what Tara shared about her journey to this role, how her leadership has evolved, and more!
What was your journey to your current role like? What influenced you to pursue a nonprofit leadership role?
My journey to becoming Executive Director of The Victim Center has been shaped by a commitment to service, leadership, and community impact. I began my career at Missouri State in student engagement, where I worked closely with students, developing their sense of belonging on and off campus. This work solidified my passion for empowering others, building inclusive environments, and leading programs that create meaningful change.
I knew I wanted to also make meaningful change in my community when I moved to Springfield. After looking at all my options, I joined Junior League which opened opportunities for me to join the Springfield Little Theatre Associate Board, Discovery Center Board, and the Springfield Art Museum Board. Each of these deepened my understanding of nonprofit governance, fundraising, volunteer leadership, and strategic planning. However, my service on the board of The Victim Center ultimately became the most pivotal influence. Witnessing firsthand the organization’s impact on survivors and the dedication of its staff affirmed my desire to lead mission-driven work full-time. When the opportunity arose to step into the Executive Director role, it felt like a natural culmination of my professional experience and personal commitment to advocacy, community collaboration, and organizational leadership.
How has your leadership style been influenced by your experiences in various industries?
My leadership style has been shaped by my higher education career, board service, and leadership training through programs like Leadership Springfield. I’ve learned humility, empathy, and relationship building are my greatest strengths. I’ve had the opportunity to view organizations from both operational and governance perspectives, and understand that people are our greatest assets. This mindset has helped me balance big-picture vision with day-to-day execution. As a result, my leadership style is collaborative, people-centered, and mission-driven. I prioritize clear communication, trust-building, and creating environments where staff and volunteers feel supported and valued. These experiences prepared me to lead The Victim Center with both compassion and structure, ensuring we remain committed to our mission and responsive to victim needs in our community, while strengthening organizational capacity.
How has your involvement with local organizations such as MSU, Junior League, and SLT impacted your career?
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It’s stories like Tara’s that empower us to keep showing up with purpose and passion, because women are needed in every space we exist. Thank you for your leadership and advocacy in our community, Tara! As The Victim Center celebrates 50 years of serving victims across southwest Missouri, you can find ways to get involved in their anniversary events throughout the year.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? A woman you’d like to celebrate? A recent accomplishment, board appointment, or career milestone you or someone you know has experienced? Let us know by submitting an Empowered Women Empower Women celebration. She might be featured in an upcoming Rosie in Action profile!
