About Us
About Dr. Teresa Jeter
Dr. Teresa Jeter is a visionary leader, educator, and advocate for community development and nonprofit excellence. As the Founder and CEO of TMJ Consulting LLC, she leads a premier nonprofit leadership and development firm dedicated to empowering organizations for sustainable futures. With a deep passion for supporting vulnerable communities, she brings a powerful combination of academic expertise, public service experience, and strategic leadership to every initiative she undertakes.
Current Roles
Founder & CEO, TMJ Consulting LLC
Leading a dynamic team to optimize nonprofit operations, ensuring long-term sustainability and impactful community engagement.Assistant Teaching Professor, College of Architecture and Planning, Ball State University
Educating the next generation of urban planners and community developers, focusing on strategic planning, economic development, and community empowerment.
Professional Experience
Dr. Jeter has an extensive background in public service and housing policy, having held key leadership roles in federal and local government.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Served as Senior Multifamily Mortgage Credit Analyst and Senior Program Analyst, where she conducted comprehensive credit analyses, underwrote loans, and provided performance oversight for public housing authorities.Deputy Director of Community Development, City of Muncie, Indiana
Spearheaded the city’s first HUD Consolidated Planning Process, advancing housing and economic development strategies.Executive Director, Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Commission (Anderson, Indiana)
Developed nationally acclaimed affordable housing programs, increasing housing access for underserved communities.
Academic Credentials
Doctorate in Public Policy and Administration, Walden University
Master of Urban and Regional Planning, Ball State University
Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Indiana University/Purdue University, Indianapolis
Specialized Government Training, Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government
Awards & Recognitions
Dr. Jeter’s contributions to community development, education, and nonprofit leadership have earned her prestigious honors, including:
Distinguished Hoosier Award – Recognized by two Indiana governors for outstanding service and leadership.
Commissioner, Indiana Commission for Women – Appointed for her advocacy in advancing women's empowerment.
President, Ball State University Black Alumni Constituent Society Board – Led initiatives to support alumni engagement and student success.
Presidential Appointment, Ball State University Advisory Board for Inclusive Excellence – Committed to fostering equity and inclusion in higher education and public policy.
Key Initiatives
Midwest Women’s Empowerment Summit – Founder of a transformative leadership summit dedicated to inspiring and empowering women.
www.MidwestWES.orgGrant Writing Workshops – Facilitator of comprehensive workshops designed to enhance grant writing skills for nonprofits and urban faith-based organizations.
www.DrTeresaJeter.comPublished Author
Gentrification and Climate Gentrification: The New Double Threat to Vulnerable Communities
From Conflict to Collaboration: Strategies for Resolving Disputes and Strengthening Complex Partnerships
The Peoples’ Plan: How Grassroots Movements Are Redefining Urban Development
Wisdom Gifts: Finding and Embracing the Legacy in Our Lessons (Co-authored with Kim Coles)
Podcast Host: Her Best Chapter
A platform dedicated to uplifting women through inspiring stories, expert insights, and meaningful conversations.
Book Dr. Jeter for Speaking Engagements
Speaking Topics:
The Nonprofit Dilemma: Moving Beyond Survival to Sustainable Impact
Description:
Many nonprofits operate in survival mode, constantly chasing grants and short-term funding to stay afloat. But true impact comes from long-term sustainability, strategic funding diversification, and strong leadership. In this talk, Dr. Teresa Jeter challenges nonprofit leaders to shift their mindset from funding scarcity to financial resilience, equipping them with strategies to build thriving organizations that create lasting change.
Key Takeaways:
Shift from Scarcity to Sustainability – Learn how to move beyond short-term funding cycles and develop long-term financial strategies that ensure stability and growth.
Maximizing Mission-Driven Impact – Discover how to align operations, partnerships, and programs with your mission to create measurable, lasting change in the communities you serve.
Diversifying Revenue Streams – Explore innovative funding models, including grants, earned income strategies, and donor engagement, to build a more resilient organization.
Strategic Leadership & Capacity Building – Understand how strong governance, leadership development, and operational efficiency can position nonprofits for sustained success.
The Double Threat: Gentrification and Climate Gentrification’s Impact on Vulnerable Communities
Description:
Gentrification is reshaping cities, often at the expense of low-income and historically marginalized communities. This talk explores how traditional gentrification and climate-driven displacement are creating new challenges for urban planning, affordable housing, and social equity. Dr. Jeter provides policy solutions and community-driven strategies to foster inclusive, sustainable development.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding the root causes of conflict in partnerships
Proven strategies for navigating disagreements and fostering trust
Tools for building coalitions and aligning diverse stakeholders
How to turn challenges into opportunities for innovation and progress
Ideal for leaders, planners, policymakers, and nonprofit professionals, this session equips attendees with the skills to move from division to unity and drive meaningful change. Order the paperback: Gentrification and Climate Gentrification: The New Double Threat to Vulnerable Communities: Jeter PhD, Teresa M.: 9798300520106: Amazon.com: Books
The People’s Plan: How Grassroots Movements Are Redefining Urban Development
Description:
Dr. Teresa Jeter explores the power of community-driven urban planning, showcasing how grassroots movements are reshaping cities through policy advocacy, cooperative housing, and innovative land-use strategies. This keynote highlights real-world successes where residents, not developers, are leading the future of equitable and sustainable urban development.
Key Takeaways:
How grassroots activism influences urban policies and planning
The role of community land trusts and cooperative housing in preventing displacement
Strategies for fostering inclusive, community-led development
How local leaders can push back against top-down urban renewal
This session empowers planners, policymakers, and community advocates with the tools to support bottom-up, people-centered urban transformation.
From Conflict to Collaboration: Building Stronger Partnerships for Lasting Impact
Description:
Dr. Teresa Jeter delves into the art of transforming disputes into productive partnerships, offering practical strategies for fostering effective collaboration in urban planning, community development, and organizational leadership. This keynote provides insights into resolving conflicts, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and creating sustainable solutions through consensus-building and strategic engagement.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding the root causes of conflict in partnerships
Proven strategies for navigating disagreements and fostering trust
Tools for building coalitions and aligning diverse stakeholders
How to turn challenges into opportunities for innovation and progress
Ideal for leaders, planners, policymakers, and nonprofit professionals, this session equips attendees with the skills to move from division to unity and drive meaningful change. Order the paperback: From Conflict to Collaboration: Strategies for Resolving Disputes and Strengthening Complex Partnerships: Jeter PhD, Teresa M.: 9798309091539: Amazon.com: Books