Tara Mason has lived in Kentucky her entire life. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Kentucky University in Geography with special emphasis in Global Studies. During her senior year, she studied abroad in Ecuador which prompted her desire to travel and learn more about other cultures. After graduation, she accepted a two-year position with the United States Peace Corps in the Republic of the Fiji. Tara’s work in Fiji was focused on HIV education and outreach. She learned how to slow down, listen, and build relationships with locals instead of going into spaces with her own goals.
Tara Mason has been employed at the Lexington Fayette County Health Department for ten years. She has worked in roles such as a disease investigator for HIV and syphilis, HIV and STD outreach, prediabetes, tobacco and currently, the Team Leader for Community Education. Tara has eleven staff on her team that cover multiple areas: HIV outreach, nutrition, physical fitness, diabetes management, diabetes prevention, workplace wellness, child care center health, nutrition and safety, tobacco cessation, and outreach. Tara is skilled in nonprofit organizations, communicable and chronic diseases, health promotion, fundraising, and teamwork.