Tiahna (Harris) Buss, a former varsity basketball standout, left her mark both on and off the court. While pursuing a theater major at UMass Amherst, she embraced a wide range of creative interests, including sculpting, design, and stage crew support. Buss also played the saxophone and further expanded her academic horizons by taking Syracuse University’s Project Advance Forensics class. While in New England, Tiahna discovered a new passion in college: cycling. She competed on UMass Amherst’s Cycling team, and her first mountain biking race became a transformative moment. Reflecting on that experience, she said:
“My most memorable moment as an athlete was my first mountain biking race in college. I played basketball year-round at a high level and was burned out by the time I turned 18. In my first mountain bike race, I finished dead last, but I felt more excited than ever. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about learning and loving the process. That race opened doors for me: writing for the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference, jobs at bike shops, and networking opportunities. You wouldn’t believe how often cycling comes up in interviews!”
After graduating, Tiahna pursued a career in corporate, holding multiple executive roles at top companies like Indiegogo and Pinterest. At Indiegogo, she initially joined as an executive assistant but quickly expanded her role, contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, social media strategy, and marketing projects. At Pinterest, she grew into an Administrative Operations Manager, managing a team of 25 business partners and supporting around 75 executives.
Tiahna credits her athletic experience with building resilience and a strong work ethic: “As an athlete, I learned to power through challenges to achieve success. This mindset helped me face tough decisions in life—whether it was managing jobs I disliked, navigating health benefits, or staying active when it got hard. Sports toughened me up and prepared me for adulthood.”
When it comes to financial literacy, she sees it as essential for athletes: “Financial literacy is crucial, especially for athletes. You might be living on a tight budget while chasing your dreams, and if you make it, you’ll need to manage lifestyle creep and plan for retirement. Start learning now—saving little by little, planning for big purchases, and thinking long-term. Tools like Credit Karma can help you track your financial health and get organized.”
Tiahna’s advice for current athletes? Be adaptable and build on your past experiences: “sports teach us so many lessons that can be applied in countless ways—whether it’s becoming a coach, a sports writer, or even starting your own business. Stay open to opportunities outside of sports and remember to use the skills you’ve gained to navigate whatever comes your way.”