Walk With Sally Team

FUN FACT

COMING SOON

TASH BROOKS

Chief Executive Officer
Tash Brooks was born in Adelaide, Australia and raised on the South East beaches of Queensland, Australia. Whether she’s building a school in Malawi, developing a dance program for visually impaired children in Los Angeles, or supporting cancer impacted communities in Kazakhstan, Tash has a proven track record of driving organizational growth and fostering meaningful change in the non-profit space. Earning an award at Bond University, Australia for philanthropic marketing innovation in 2001, her dynamic career in philanthropy has spanned countries and decades. Prior to assuming the role of CEO at Walk With Sally, Tash held key leadership positions within the non-profit sector, gaining invaluable experience and insights into the challenges and opportunities facing mission-driven organizations. Her commitment to transparency, accountability and ethical best practices has earned her the respect of her peers and stakeholders both within and outside of the organization. Driven by a genuine passion for social impact, Tash remains steadfast in her mission to lessen the burden of cancer for children through innovation, creativity and transformative impact. 

FUN FACT

I had a goldfish named Bob, who lived for 10 years! I saved his life once by giving him Fish CPR (no, not mouth to mouth)!

KATI GARRIDO

Program Director
Kati was born in Mexico City and has been living in Los Angeles for over 20 years. She started her professional career working in the entertainment business at a Hollywood acting school where she transitioned to the non-profit animal rescue world. This is where she found her true calling, making a positive impact on society. Back in Mexico, Kati was an English teacher at a Montessori school where the experience of working with children and learning from them, was one of the most rewarding periods in her life. For Kati, it is very important to work in something you are proud of and passionate about, and Walk with Sally definitely embodies both! Having the opportunity to serve and help children who are in need of support, is something she is greatly looking forward to!

FUN FACT

I visited Disneyland during the first month it was open and still have the Mickey Mouse hat!

Wendy Lewis

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 
Wendy has lived in the South Bay for over 30 years and practiced as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Manhattan Beach for over 25 years. After teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing children for 7 years she returned to college to become a LMFT. Her passion for helping people and making a difference in their lives has always been a big part of who Wendy is.

The opportunity to volunteer with Walk With Sally will allow Wendy to use her expertise as a therapist while continuing to help and support the WWS community. Wendy lives in El Segundo with her husband Peter, dog Tanner and two cats.

FUN FACT

I rode my bike from SF to LA to raise money for AIDS.

Sara Peral

Licensed Social Worker
Sara has gained experience working with vulnerable populations as a case manager in a community mental agency in South LA where she serviced families facing a wide range of mental health issues stemming from involvement in the foster care system, probation youth, trauma, domestic violence, poverty and homelessness. She has worked in community mental health for the past 12 years since graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Sara has also worked in early childhood development programs with children ages 0-3, in a treatment center for adolescents with eating disorders, and while obtaining her Master’s degree in social work, Sara interned with the homeless population in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area providing individual and group therapy to adults facing homelessness. Sara also volunteered to create community awareness on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children throughout South Los Angeles. Currently, she is working as a Psychiatric Social Worker for a school district providing therapy to children and adolescents in the Los Angeles area.

Through this combined experience, Sara has developed first-hand understanding and awareness of the many obstacles people face in accessing and accepting mental health services. She founded a nonprofit called Mind-1-1, to dissolve barriers in the way of people being mentally healthy.

FUN FACT

I was a collegiate golfer.

Melissa Ostrowski

Development Manager 
While attending Southwest Minnesota State University, Melissa found her love early for fundraising. She started working with her college athletic department to expand relationships with major donors to raise funds for athletic scholarships. Previously working with other cancer organizations focusing on the science behind finding a cure for cancer patients, Melissa joins Walk With Sally excited to work alongside others to empower children experiencing trauma through a loved one’s cancer journey. Melissa lives in Redondo Beach with her husband, Ryan, son, Garrett, and their dogs: Brody and Bosa! 

FUN FACT

I have been to 18 states and seven countries!

JEN TOMO

Program Manager
Jen, originally from New Jersey, has been volunteering since she was in 8th-grade. From being a big sister in the Big Brother Big Sister Program to Breast Cancer walks and everything in between, Jen has done it all. She has a dynamic background in marketing, working on events, project management, and copywriting. She comes to Walk With Sally to pursue her passion for helping people and working for an organization that gives back to the community; giving her purpose. Jen enjoys traveling and being outside. You can find her on the beach in her downtime!