Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Furiani.
Hi Tara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m Tara Furiani… mom to five brilliant kids (twin daughters who are 7 and three sons, ages 13, 12, and 10), author, keynote speaker, executive coach, and fierce advocate for equity and authenticity in leadership. I lead a dynamic multigenerational household in Austin with my mom and her sister, both in their late 70s and 80s, who helped raise me and now play a vital role in shaping my children’s lives.
Austin is home in every sense of the word. It’s where my husband, Justin, and I co-own Scut Studios, a creative recording space where he works as a recording engineer and while also being a part of the bands, Mimiclou & Punchline Sexlife, which both recently released their first EP. It’s also where I’ve built my the last nearly 10 years of my career, focusing on empowering leaders, challenging norms, and creating spaces where people can thrive.
My professional journey brought me to Austin as the Chief People Officer for Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas during the height of the #MeToo movement. I took on the challenge of rebuilding the company’s internal reputation, reshaping its culture, and driving accountability and inclusion at every level. When COVID ended that chapter, I pivoted, launching initiatives that allow me to lead with impact, authenticity, and purpose in a much larger forum.
Today, I’m the CEO and host of Not the HR Lady, a YouTube show and podcast that breaks down workplace issues with bold, honest conversations. I work as an executive coach with C-level leaders & teams across Non-Profit, Cannabis, Tech, Finance and Travel/Hospitality industries, helping them navigate challenges, embrace bold leadership, and build high-performing, inclusive teams. I also train on negotiations with the Shapiro Negotiations Institute and deliver keynote addresses at events across the globe, including The Sundance Institute’s Arthouse Convergence, American Intellectual Property Law Association and Sports Field Management Association to name just a few.
I’ve expanded my work through my SAIL Leadership Intensives, a self-guided retreat program hosted aboard Virgin Voyages in both the US & UK. These intensives are designed to help leaders focus on self-care, accountability, influence, and learning, offering a chance to recharge while diving deep into personal and professional growth.
Beyond my show, consulting, coaching and speaking work, I serve on NASA’s DEI Board, where I contribute to initiatives focused on building equity and inclusion in one of the world’s most recognized organizations. DEI is central to everything I do, as the adopted daughter of a Black Dad and White Mom. My book, F*ck Your Office Snacks, reflects that commitment and is a leadership guide for the modern workplace that challenges outdated norms and provides actionable tools to create lasting change. Oh, and it’s funny too.
Austin is more than where I live… it’s where my story is constantly evolving. It’s the city where I am and will raise my kids, support my husband’s creative pursuits, and contribute to a community that values innovation, inclusivity, and authenticity. My journey has been about breaking barriers, building meaningful connections, and helping others lead boldly and unapologetically.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth roads are rare, and my journey has been anything but predictable. Each twist and turn has shaped me into who I am today… resilient, purposeful, and unafraid to face what’s next.
Just months before COVID changed everything, I went through a divorce that completely upended my personal and professional life. Navigating that massive transition while raising five kids was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. As a mother, I carried the weight of ensuring my children felt loved, safe, and supported while processing the changes in their own lives. It was a time of intense growth and emotional resilience.
Shortly after, I met Justin, who not only became a loving partner to me but also a father figure to my kids. Watching their bond grow has been one of the greatest gifts. Seeing my kids deeply love and be loved by someone who stepped into their lives with such care and intention is a reminder that new beginnings can bring incredible joy, even after seasons of struggle.
Professionally, COVID hit like a wrecking ball. My role as Chief People Officer at Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas ended abruptly, forcing me to pivot in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Starting Not the HR Lady during such an uncertain time was both thrilling and terrifying. It required stepping into the unknown, trusting my instincts, and reimagining what my career could be. The pressure of building something new while keeping a household afloat during a global pandemic was overwhelming, but it gave me the chance to create work that truly reflects who I am.
On top of that, I’ve had to navigate the challenges of being an outspoken advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a woman, as someone raising a multiracial family, and as an LGBTQIA+ professional, I’ve encountered resistance, bias, and moments of outright hostility. Balancing the demands of being a public figure with the realities of motherhood and leadership has been a constant test of my strength.
Through all of it, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about having it all together… it’s about showing up, day after day, even when it’s hard. My struggles have shaped the programs I create, the leaders I coach, and the stories I tell. They remind me why I do what I do: to create spaces where people… whether in workplaces, communities, or families… can thrive authentically and unapologetically.
The road has been anything but smooth, but it’s taken me exactly where I’m meant to be.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of everything I do is the belief that leadership is about courage, accountability, and authenticity—and I’ve built my business to reflect exactly that.
I’m the CEO of Not the HR Lady, a multimedia company that challenges outdated workplace norms and dismantles the toxic systems holding people back. Through our YouTube show, podcast, executive coaching, consulting and keynote speaking, we provide no-nonsense, actionable insights for leaders and teams. We don’t shy away from hard conversations… we confront them head-on, creating space for real transformation.
I also host the SAIL Leadership Intensives aboard Virgin Voyages, where leaders come to recharge, refocus, and grow. These self-guided retreats are centered around SAIL’s four pillars: Self-care, Accountability, Influence, and Learning. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that combines breakthrough professional development with much-needed relaxation and decision-free living.
My coaching work is another cornerstone of my brand. I specialize in working with C-level leaders in industries ranging from Non-Profit to Cannabis, Tech, Entertainment, Finance and Travel/Hospitality. What sets me apart is my unfiltered, results-driven approach. I’m not here to sugarcoat or handhold… I’m here to help leaders face the hard truths, embrace growth, and lead authentically.
I’m proud to also serve on NASA’s DEI Board, where I contribute to initiatives that foster inclusion and equity in one of the world’s most innovative organizations. DEI is a critical part of my work across all platforms, whether I’m designing leadership programs, facilitating workshops, or coaching executives.
As an author, I’m known for F*ck Your Office Snacks, a blunt, insightful guide to modern leadership and workplace culture. It’s part wake-up call, part roadmap, and entirely aligned with my mission to create better leaders and better workplaces.
What sets my brand apart is the blend of real talk and real solutions. I’m not about fluff or jargon… I’m about results. Whether through our Not the HR Lady content, the SAIL Intensives, or my one-on-one coaching, everything I do is designed to empower leaders to show up with integrity, lead with intention, and create workplaces where people can thrive.
If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and embrace what’s next, my brand is here to meet you where you are… and push you further than you thought possible.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Favorite Books, Apps, or Podcasts
I’m intentional about the resources I turn to for inspiration, growth, and guidance. I seek out voices that challenge me to think differently and align with my commitment to equity and authenticity. Here are a few of my favorites:
Books:
The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts. This book is a game-changer for anyone navigating leadership while breaking down systemic barriers.
You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience by Tarana Burke and Brené Brown. This anthology is raw, powerful, and deeply moving, offering insights that go far beyond the workplace.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. While not a leadership book, it’s a beautifully written exploration of identity, grief, and resilience that’s as inspiring as it is heartbreaking.
Podcasts:
The Michelle Obama Podcast: Whether it’s leadership, relationships, or self-care, Michelle Obama brings wisdom, authenticity, and humor to every conversation.
How to Build a Happy Life by The Atlantic featuring host Arthur Brooks, with regular appearances by women of color sharing invaluable insights into creating meaningful lives and careers.
Brown Ambition by Mandi Woodruff and Tiffany Aliche. A must-listen for anyone navigating careers, finances, and entrepreneurship with heart and hustle.
Apps:
Shine: Created by two women of color, Shine offers daily self-care tools and guided meditations tailored to the unique mental health needs of marginalized communities.
Wealthsimple: Co-founded by Black entrepreneur Michael Katchen, this app offers simple, accessible tools for investing and financial wellness, something every leader should prioritize.
These resources reflect my personal and professional values… bold, inclusive, and unapologetically real. They help me stay grounded, continue learning, and show up as the best version of myself for my family, clients, and community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.notthehrlady.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/notthehrlady
- Facebook: facebook.com/notthehrlady
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/notthehrlady
- Youtube: youtube.com/notthehrlady
- soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/punchlinesexlife/sets/punchline-sexlife-ep?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19vNT4WjAf-qlJ9GyWALRikgqhQobb0eZ5guIe2FVE9U/edit?tab=t.0
Image Credits
Images by Tara Furiani, Justin Boggs, Test Gorilla & TeamFlect
