Public Safety

• Tara has been on the frontlines of our opioid epidemic, working with families, health experts, educators, and community partners. As a Trustee on our County Board of Education, Tara supported opioid prevention initiatives that saved the lives of students in this district. She then helped write and pass legislation that protects against youth fentanyl overdoses and death across California.

• As a School Board Member and Nonprofit Leader, Tara pushed for green job training and apprenticeship programs to give the youth of our district opportunity and focus.

• As a Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff in the California State Senate, Tara has worked to recruit and retain crucial public safety and law enforcement personnel.

Environmental Leadership

Tara founded an environmental nonprofit and has empowered hundreds of residents in this district to fight climate change and protect our natural environment at the school, city, county, and state level.

• As a member of the Bay Area for Clean Environment Board (B.A.C.E.), Tara worked with neighbors to hold accountable our County’s largest polluter, Lehigh Cement Plant, and transition this site to alternative uses that prioritize public health.

• On the Santa Clara County Board of Education, Tara worked with families across this district to significantly expand environmental education, outdoor learning, sustainability programs, and green career pathways for our students.

• Her other community work includes an appointment to the Citizens Advisory Board of our community choice energy provider, Silicon Valley Clean Energy (SVCE), to help oversee low cost and equitable renewable energy and climate programs benefiting residents across the South Bay as well as serving as President of the Board for a Foundation that supports a local educational farm that has served thousands of county students.

Education

Tara has actively spearheaded and supported the launch of local as well as state initiatives to expand student mental health services, close the digital divide for students and families, and support special education.

• As a Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee, Tara has been charged with serving and overseeing a combined 270,000 students across our County’s 31 school districts. She responsibly oversees a balanced budget of over $300 million. 

• She has mentored and supported students through civic engagement activities, engagement in policy advocacy, leadership development, workshops and more. 

• She has served as a member of the Strong Start Coalition, which works to strengthen early care, health, and education for newborns and children up to age 8 across Santa Clara County.

Housing

Tara supported and helped pass legislation that increases affordable and middle-income housing stock, ensuring stability and security.

• She helped launch a local program to support homeless students in their transition to higher education and adult life.

• She worked on streamlining affordable housing initiatives, saving taxpayer dollars, creating jobs, and accelerating the housing search for many.

• She supported workforce development, apprenticeships, as well as pre-apprenticeship programs for our County students to get them into high-quality construction careers.