Tarae joined CORE when the organization expanded to Chicago at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Area Manager, Tarae has overseen equitable COVID, Flu and Measles vaccination programs that reached marginalized communities throughout the city. She also expanded Chicago’s team and programming to address the intersection of public health and community safety. 

A Chicago native, Tarae is deeply rooted in her community. Her leadership and insight have helped connect CORE with key stakeholders and over 100 local community partners and deepened trusted relationships with residents in the city. At every turn, whether it’s executing vaccine education campaigns or restoring public spaces, Tarae engages grassroots leaders and community members to effectively reach underserved communities. Today, she continues to lead a diverse team to activate emergency vaccination programs.  

Tarae holds a Master of Public Health from DePaul University and brings a crucial background in community health work, with experience helping marginalized communities in Chicago access resources and preventative healthcare and engaging private and public stakeholders. She also spent time in Belize as a health educator in the Peace Corps. But her dedication to humanitarian work stems from a deep recognition of the systemic injustices and historical disparities Black and Brown communities face. Tarae has seen and experienced firsthand how resilience and strength thrive in these communities, despite ongoing challenges and barriers.