Fern Tiger, through her firm Fern Tiger Associates (FTA), has facilitated scores of projects to engage communities in solving controversial issues. Her strategic work with organizations, institutions, and public agencies in California as well as in Washington, Hawaii, Arizona, and other parts of the U.S. has helped people overcome inequities, power gaps, and other complex problems in their communities. Her innovative approaches combine the creative, intuitive tools of the artist/designer with the practical, systemic tools of urban planners. 

Tiger has a B.F.A., M.S. from the Pratt Institute and an M.F.A. from The Pennsylvania State University. She is a former Professor at the University of Washington Tacoma, Urban Studies Program and Community Planning, and a former Professor of Practice through the College of Public Programs at Arizona State University.

In addition to her focus on FTA, Tiger is a frequent speaker on public involvement in decision-making, the role of nonprofit organizations in communities, innovative approaches to civic engagement, and university-to-community relations.

Her most recent book is Creative Instigation: The Art & Strategy of Authentic Community Engagement (New Village Press, 2024).