Tamara N. Peterson

Tamara N. Peterson is a passionate advocate for community, family, and youth empowerment. A proud mother and STEM champion, Tamara’s involvement with STEM In Living Color stems from her deep desire to ensure that her own children—and all children in the greater Contra Costa County—have access to meaningful, hands-on STEM experiences. For Tamara, this event is more than a day of fun and learning; it’s a launchpad for curiosity, confidence, and future opportunity.

She believes deeply in the power of early exposure: that when children are introduced to science, technology, engineering, and math in a joyful and engaging way, it can shape their educational journeys and expand their sense of what’s possible. Her commitment to helping bring STEM to life for local families is a natural extension of the values she upholds both at home and in her professional life.

By day, Tamara serves as the Assistant Manager for Safeguards and Security (AMSS) at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Livermore Field Office (LFO). In this high-impact role, she leads a federal team of Safeguards and Security experts responsible for evaluating and overseeing contractors and national laboratory performance across facilities vital to the NNSA mission. Prior to this role, Tamara served as Deputy AMSS and, earlier, as Commander and Chief of Mission Support for the Department of Homeland Security, where she managed over $1 billion in federal contracts.

Tamara’s professional path reflects her passion for service, science, and safety. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Western Illinois University, a Master of Science from Bellevue University, and a Graduate Certificate in Crime Scene Investigation from California State University – Long Beach.

Whether leading national security operations or helping coordinate a community STEM event, Tamara brings vision, integrity, and heart to everything she does. Her life’s work reflects a powerful truth: when we invest in children and community, we build a stronger, more inspired future for everyone.