Tori graduated from the University of San Diego in 2001, receiving a bachelor’s degree in English and minoring in psychology and sociology. She attended Notre Dame de Namur University to obtain her California teaching credential and a master’s degree in English, with an emphasis in creative writing. She also has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco. Post-college, she spent 10 years in education, mostly teaching middle school English and math. She is currently on the board of directors of Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. From 2009 to 2019, she served as the President of the Burns Family Foundation, a private foundation which provides financial support to local 501c3 non-profits organizations, typically those that focus on youth education and sports. She previously sat on the board of directors for Palcare Child Care Center.