Teri McNally, HerStory in her own words
Our next HerStory feature highlights Teri McNally, CEO of The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region and longtime, dedicated Germanna community partner and supporter.
Since taking the lead of The Community Foundation in 2002, five years after its founding, Teri has guided it with vision and purpose. Under her dynamic leadership, she and her team have grown the foundation’s assets to over $60 million, and millions of dollars in planned gifts for the benefit of our community—an incredible testament to her impact and dedication.
We hope you’re inspired by Teri’s story of hard work and bold ideas—ones that have already touched so many lives and will continue to make a lasting difference in our community for years to come.
Her Best Advice to Share
Don’t talk past the sale. This means not just when you're selling a product or idea, but also when asking permission or support. Say what you mean—clearly and concisely—then stop.
Be direct. Say what you need and why you need it. I apply this when speaking with people about charitable giving. I tell our story so they can make their best decision based on the good things we are doing.
What Got Her Where She Is Today
Work hard and be relentless. I got where I am today by working hard—there are no shortcuts or handouts, just relentless effort. It’s what I did when I came to this job, and every job I have ever had. It was no different.
One of my first full-time jobs involved selling electric motors—huge ones. They were massive. I’d arrive before anyone else at 6 a.m. to learn how to rewind motors and understand the parts, and master the details.
Be hungry to learn. I’ve always reached out to both men and women—people that I admired for their work ethic, for the way they presented themselves, and for their knowledge—to help build my skills and my knowledge base. It didn’t matter to me what they did or their gender; I listened to them, gathered what I could, and learned everything I could from each one of them.
I’m not a CPA, but I can follow the example of test and verify. I’m not an attorney, but I can ask great questions and learn from the answers. I've had so many people around me who became my mentors in these areas, and I’ve dedicated myself to working, studying, growing, and learning everything I can from each and every one.
Take risks, even when others were hesitant. People would ask, "Have you thought this through?" And the answer was always yes. I don’t leap blindly, but I trust my ability to figure things out through sheer perseverance.
I think about the events, programs, and fundraising we've done—giving back to our youth and supporting women and girls in our community. Through all of this, I’ve learned to get others on board with our vision. When people see how hard I work, they’re willing to join me.
The foundation was started by a group of dedicated individuals, and I have deep admiration for our board and staff. This is my 22nd year, and I’ve learned something from every single person I’ve worked with. It’s been a privilege to be part of this journey.
Some of the opportunities in my life have come from being in the right place at the right time. But I don’t believe in luck alone. There’s luck, and then there’s calculated risk. I always think ahead, plan my steps, and find a way forward—even when others can’t see the path yet.
And in this kind of work, especially at a community foundation, showing up matters. Hard work matters. This job isn’t nine-to-five; it’s 24/7, and that’s what it takes to make an impact.”
I’ve had incredible mentors throughout my life, starting with my mother. She was a feminist before it was even a movement. She lived to be 100 and always pushed me to be my best. She had a profound influence on me and my life.
But my mentors haven’t just been women. I’ve learned from anyone who showed me how to work, how to carry myself, and how to keep learning. They’ve shaped me, and their guidance has reinforced my belief in the power of mentorship and service to others. That’s something I’ve always valued and tried to model.
My path has been shaped by bold ideas and the willingness to act on them. The experiences, the risks, and the lessons along the way have made me who I am today.