Inclusive

Accountable

Transparent

Why Tara?

My motivation to run in 2026 is rooted in what a Trustee SHOULD be, versus what it has been for many Trustees in the Tri Valley in recent years.  The Trustee position is not a photo op, it is not a platform to embed your ideology within the schools, but instead one where you bring skills that complement those of the other Trustees to form one body that will set policy for the district, a structure of accountability for the Superintendent, foster an environment of respect, and execute fiduciary responsibility. We must ensure that every decision centers what is best for our Students.

Our district is now at a pivotable point. We recently hired our third Superintendent in as many years, and a structure of accountability for he and his cabinet is imperative. Decisions need to be collaborative and transparent, with discussions conducted with respect and grace. After the November elections, the Board will have three new members and 2 remaining Trustees. I look forward to blending my professional expertise in Finance, Operations, and Technology to the skillset of the Board to bring LVJUSD back onto the track necessary for driving success for our students.

Who is Tara?

I am the sole Mama of two young elementary students at Junction K-8 school. We love being part of the Junction community and seeing diversity thriving at a school making it seem much more like a big family. I was raised outside of Scranton, PA in a blue-collar family descended from coal miners who left one mine in their native country for another in Northeastern, PA. Educated in the local Public Schools, I received a BA in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Gender Studies from Wilkes University. This launched my career in Finance for a luxury brand retailer and I received an MBA in Accounting and Marketing at the University of Scranton while working full time.

In 2007, I moved from PA to CA to work for Ross Stores which began my career shift from Finance to the layers between Technology and Finance. After leaving Ross, I went on to hold positions at Deloitte Consulting, Workday, RAND Corporation, and others before starting my own consulting firm during the pandemic where I engage with clients seeking creative solutions in their current architecture in all areas of Finance and adjacent areas.

Outside of work and parenting, I have volunteered for the Bay Area Crisis Center and Tri Valley Haven, and was a certified Resource (Foster) Parent for Agape Villages. Currently, my volunteer work centers around my children in their school and activities, along with a constant stream of Foster pups being loved on by our family and finding their new families. We are family that loves to travel discovering delicious foods and new friends along the way.

What do I consider a teacher should be? One who breathes life into knowledge so that it takes new form in progress and civilization.

- Helen Keller 1938