Tara Ruszkowski is the Chief Executive Officer of The Lamb Center, where she leads the organization’s strategic vision, regional partnerships, and long-term growth in serving individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness in Northern Virginia. With a background in public affairs, advocacy, coalition building, and nonprofit leadership, Tara brings a strong ability to unite community partners around practical, compassionate solutions to homelessness and housing instability.
Under her leadership, The Lamb Center serves more than 2,000 unique individuals annually through case management, healthcare access, employment support, meals, and other critical services. She works closely with public-sector, nonprofit, faith-based, and business leaders to strengthen the organization’s service delivery model and expand its impact across the region.
A central focus of Tara’s leadership is the development of Beacon Landing, a 54-unit permanent supportive housing community being developed in partnership with Wesley Housing. Scheduled to open in December 2026, Beacon Landing will be the largest permanent supportive housing community in Northern Virginia and will provide stable housing and supportive services for individuals exiting chronic homelessness.
Prior to becoming CEO, Tara served as Chair of The Lamb Center’s Board of Directors, where she supported strategic planning, donor engagement, and early planning for affordable and supportive housing initiatives. She also helped launch workforce development efforts in partnership with the City of Fairfax and Fairfax County.
Before joining The Lamb Center, Tara founded and led a public affairs and strategic communications consultancy focused on stakeholder engagement, coalition building, advocacy, and communications strategy. She began her career on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide to Congressman Jim Cooper, focusing on commerce, labor, foreign policy, and defense issues, and has also served as an international elections observer in Angola, Kenya, and Egypt.
Tara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from The Catholic University of America. Her leadership reflects a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and sustainable solutions that help individuals move from homelessness toward long-term stability.
