Staff Spotlight: Dara Worrell

There’s a good chance you may already know our new Director of Regional Advancement Dara Worrell. With nearly three decades of experience driving transformative organizational impact, Dara brings an exceptional blend of expertise and passion to this role, and since joining our team in July, she hit the ground running, expanding our mission across our 25-county region.

Dara’s career demonstrates her dedication to fostering meaningful connections and lasting change. For nearly 30 years, she served the University of Tennessee (UT)’s Athletics Department, where she left an indelible mark as Senior Associate Athletic Director. In this role, Dara was instrumental in leading donor relations and athletic fundraising, coordinating women’s athletics endowments, and managing capital fundraising projects. Her leadership proved pivotal in the seamless transition to unify the men’s and women’s athletic development offices, showcasing her ability to navigate complex organizational challenges with a visionary approach.

Beyond her contributions to athletics, Dara has always been a champion for community enrichment. She spent 11 impactful years supporting the Pat Summitt Foundation fund as a campus liaison, raising awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s research and care. Dara also built meaningful relationships as a volunteer with UT’s HABIT program, which she supported alongside her dogs Watson and Norman.

Following her retirement from UT in 2022, Dara continued channeling her passion for development and community service. As Development Director for Legacy Parks Foundation, she worked to expand outdoor opportunities across East Tennessee, enhancing quality of life in the region. Additionally, she served as Strategic Advisor for Hillcrest Healthcare, further solidifying her reputation as a trusted leader in organizational growth and impact. She currently serves on the Hillcrest Healthcare Foundation Board.

Dara’s dedication to community advancement is also visible through her service to the Helen Ross McNabb Foundation’s Tennis Challenger and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Today, the East Tennessee Foundation is grateful to have Dara onboard leveraging her experience to advance our philanthropic initiatives and deepen connections within our vibrant communities. Dara plays a key role in helping us listen, learn, and lean into our communities through our Affiliate Fund program – and she is an important advisor in our support of East Tennessee’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. We look forward to continuing the incredible strides we will make together under her leadership.

If you would like to discuss opportunities regarding our Affiliate Fund program or other interests within your county, please contact Dara at dw******@*tf.org or 865-524-1223, extension 120.