Tara brings over three decades of field hockey expertise to Ascend, shaped by an accomplished playing career and a deep commitment to coach education and athlete development. She graduated from Brown University in 1994 as a team captain, earning All-Ivy Team Honors, All-Ivy Academic Honors, and NFHCA All-Academic Honors. She went on to spend sixteen years at Brown as an assistant, associate head, and head coach, while simultaneously serving as the Regional Coaching Director for Region 3 of the USAFH Futures Program from 1998–2006. She holds a Level II USA Field Hockey Coaching Accreditation and is a graduate of the NCAA Women's Coaching Academy.

Tara's coaching philosophy goes well beyond the technical. As the owner and director of ThriveSet LLC, she is dedicated to teaching athletes mindset and recovery tools through self-exploration and practical application. She brings 600+ hours of yoga and meditation certifications, a certification in self-myofascial release, and is currently pursuing a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology through the University of Pennsylvania. She also serves as an assistant teacher in the Early Childhood Program and as the middle school head field hockey coach and assistant varsity coach at St. Anne's-Belfield School. Together, these experiences reflect a genuine belief that developing the whole athlete–mentally, physically, and emotionally–is what unlocks their fullest potential.

When she is not on the field, in the classroom, or in the studio, Tara can be found hiking and running outside or spending time with her two dogs, Tucker and Bear.