OUR TEAM

Sara Larios Mitchell was appointed CEO of StarVista in October 2012. She has a master’s in counseling psychology from Golden Gate University and a doctorate in transpersonal psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. With over 15 years experience in clinical services including early childhood, domestic violence, trauma, youth development, family support, and counseling, Sara is strongly committed to the children, families, and individuals in our diverse community, and to strengthening opportunities for everyone to transform their lives.

sara.mitchell@star-vista.org
650-591-9623, ext. 112

Dianette has worked in the non-profit sector in San Mateo County for over 20 years with various programs and agencies that are now part of StarVista. Prior to joining FACES, Inc. in 1997, Dianette served as the director of finance and administration at the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Center in Burlingame for 12 years. A native of Denmark, Dianette earned a B.S. in accounting from Hayward State University.

dianette.washer@star-vista.org
650-591-9623 ext. 113

Stephanie is a licensed clinical social worker who received her master’s in social work from Columbia University. Since 2000, Stephanie has worked with foster youth, at-risk adolescents and families, and adults in community-based and residential treatment programs, partnering with local schools and criminal justice officials to identify and serve individuals most in need. Stephanie joined StarVista in 2010 as the program director of transitional youth services. She was promoted to director of wellness and recovery services in 2013 where she oversaw multiple programs serving adults with mental health and substance use issues, and individuals in crisis through StarVista’s crisis center. As chief program officer, she supports all StarVista staff in effectively serving clients, growing professionally, and embodying the values of StarVista in their everyday work.

stephanie.weisner@star-vista.org
650-591-9623 ext. 116

Lea and her family immigrated from Ethiopia when she was in 5th grade. She grew up traveling around the world and has been passionate about humanity and advocating for humanitarian injustices since she was a kid. She enjoys her work in the philanthropic world with major contributions to fundraising, strategic planning, major gifts, donor development and stewardship, and mentoring staff. Her most recent experiences were at GirlVentures and the American Lung Association, where she served as the Director of Development for the Greater Bay Area. Lea has vast experience running her own businesses, including an Event Planning Company, and holding Executive Director and Development roles with various nonprofits, including the National Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and the National Psoriasis Foundation. She also worked as an attorney recruiter and intellectual property litigation paralegal with major international law firms in Silicon Valley.

Lea attended California State University-Chico, where she majored in Political Science and obtained her paralegal certificate. Lea also co-founded several nonprofits serving the Eritrean and Ethiopian communities in the Greater Bay Area. She has had the privilege to serve on many boards, including the CSU-Chico Alumni Board Association and the Kensington Education Fund.

Her joy in life comes from being a mother of 3 kids and helping others overcome life's challenges.

lea.berhane@star-vista.org
650-591-9623 x142

Clarise Blanchard is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who joined StarVista (then FACES) as program manager for the Women's Enrichment Center in August, 2000. Prior to that Clarise served as a supervisor at Pyramid Alternatives in Pacifica for 10 years, where she worked with adults, children, and youth, and provided counseling for individuals struggling with addictions, mental health issues, and domestic violence. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in economics, Clarise also earned an M.A. in counseling and guidance from the University of Reno, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the Northern California Graduate University.

clarise.blanchard@star-vista.org
650-591-3739 ext. 151

Eric is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and a department director for StarVista. In his previous role he was the Program Director for the Child and Family Resource Center Program (CFRC) as well as the Early Childhood Community Team (ECCT). Eric started with StarVista in 2013 and has a passion for serving families in the community, specifically those that encounter numerous challenges to accessing support. He is particularly passionate about serving the Latino community in San Mateo County and in supporting the wonderful staff at StarVista that works with this population.

eric.valladares@star-vista.org
650-464-3256

Melissa joined StarVista as a doctoral intern in 2012, then became the agency’s Professional Training Director and the Program Manager for StarVista’s Foster Youth Education Enrichment Services program. Melissa now serves as an Interim Department Director. She has a doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology and is currently in pursuit of licensure.

Her educational and professional focus of serving diverse youth populations through a multicultural lens provides a wealth of perspective and strength that guides the youth-focused StarVista programs she oversees.

melissa.guariglia@star-vista.org
650-591-9623 ext. 137