Tami Pyfer
The Dignity Index
Costa Mesa, CA USA
"We need this generation of people that say, ‘It stops with us. We’re going to break the cycle."
Career Roadmap
Tami's work combines: Politics, Education, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Special Education
Graduate Degree
Special Education
Utah State University
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I grew up in a small town in Montana.
2.
I went to a year of college before getting married and starting a family.
3.
I went back to college in my late twenties with three kids in tow and discovered a passion for special education.
4.
A neighborhood zoning issue led me to city council meetings, where I realized regular people like me could make a difference.
5.
I lost my first city council race but gained confidence and a calling—four years later, I ran again and won.
6.
I was appointed to the Utah State Board of Education, where I found my passion for shaping policy through education.
7.
Serving in the governor’s office opened my eyes to how misinformation can divide us and how dignity can bring us back together.
8.
I co-founded the Dignity Index to help heal toxic political divides through better conversations.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I can't run for city council. Someone like me? A PTA president? I don't see it.
How I responded:
When a zoning issue threatened our neighborhood, I showed up to a city council meeting to speak out and we won. Neighbors started calling me for help navigating local systems and I loved guiding them. When they told me I should run for city council, I hesitated. At first, I doubted I belonged in politics. I was just a PTA president. I didn't see the mix. But I eventually stepped past the doubt and said yes. I leaned in, ran, and proved I could lead.