Martina started her education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security with minors in Counterterrorism and Intelligence Analysis. She interned as an Intelligence Analyst in Medellín, Colombia, focusing on counterterrorism. She then obtained a Master of Science in Government Analytics Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University, specializing in Security Studies. Before her role at NETI, Martina was an Analyst & Digital Forensics Examiner at Core Civic, where she engaged in detailed data analysis and criminal profiling to support investigations.

Besides her professional expertise, she has proficiency in Spanish and Italian. Alongside her academic and career accomplishments, she has excelled in athletics, holding six-time All-American titles in indoor and outdoor track and field collegiate competitions. This underscores her balance between academic, professional, and athletic endeavors. Currently, Tafoya is an intelligence analyst for the National Emerging Threats Initiative.