Mindy Tautfest is a published author, speaker, and television personality known for her work in UFO investigations. She serves as the curator of the Hayden C. Hewes International UFO Bureau (IUFOB), which has investigated notable cases such as the Heaven’s Gate Cult and President Jimmy Carter's UFO sighting.

In 2023, Tautfest recovered and digitized the IUFOB files, preserving decades of research. With a professional background as an ICU nurse and experience in disaster relief efforts, Tautfest now contributes her expertise to the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) as the Dean of MUFON University and National Director of Training. Mindy’s investigations, including the 1975 Miracle Mountains Schoolyard Encounter, have been featured on the History Channel. Tautfest's personal Near Death Experience (NDE) in 2016 has fueled continued exploration of the connections between NDEs and UFO encounters, furthering the work of Dr. Kenneth Ring’s Omega Project.

Her book, Dying to Meet Them: One Woman's Incredible Journey from NDE to UAP, delves into these phenomena. She resides in Oklahoma City with her family, where she continues to assist experiencers in processing their encounters.