Tavy's background is in academic research and nonprofit management and communications. Her interest in Buddhism and meditation led her to New Life, and she joined the team after being inspired by the life-changing work she saw being done at the foundation.

Over the years, Tavy has provided leadership and expertise to the foundation in communications, administration, project management, and marketing.

She could also be found in the foundation kitchen and sourdough bakery overseeing menu development and creating nutritious meals for the entire community, joining (and sometimes facilitating) social anxiety support groups, training staff and volunteers, and jogging around the lake and rice paddies.