Tara Iyer is a PhD economist and former professional athlete. Tara is currently a macroeconomist at the International Monetary Fund and has worked in technical and advisory capacities in the economic policy spaces at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Asian Development Bank. She has advised senior policymakers in the United States, India, Africa, and Europe. Her publications range from the design of monetary policies, to financial sector policies, crypto assets, and fiscal policies across countries.

As a professional tennis player, Tara represented her country globally at the Asian Games and the Federation Cup, which is the premier world team competition in professional women's tennis. She was the top ranked junior tennis player in her country and among the top-ranked junior tennis players in the world. As a professional athlete, she competed in tournaments in over thirty countries and won several women's professional tennis tournaments around the world.

Tara holds a BSc from Duke University and an MPhil and DPhil in economics from the University of Oxford.