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.

smitchell@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

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 ext. 142

Daryl holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology and has participated in several publications, trainings, and presentations.  He is a member of the American Psychological Association and Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race. In addition, Daryl has served as a Regional Clinical Specialist at the National Psychiatric Care & Rehabilitation Services as well as a Clinical Administrator at the National Psychiatric Care & Rehabilitation Services, Crisis Residential Treatment Program.

Daryl is a native of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In his early professional career, he worked as a human resources coordinator, eventually growing into the role of an Assistant Vice-President of Human Resources in San Diego. After the 2008 market crash, he decided to leave corporate America and attend graduate school to pursue a career as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Dr. Tilghman then went on to obtain his Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and a second Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California.

After his move to the Bay Area, Dr. Tilghman acquired a wealth of leadership experience and clinical expertise while holding various managerial and clinical roles. His experience in the mental health field has included overseeing inpatient crisis residential facilities throughout the Bay Area, training and developing of mental health clinicians, connecting clients to housing and other community resources, facilitating psychoeducation to clients and their families, while helping them navigate through difficult case management issues.

Dr. Tilghman joined the StarVista Executive Team in January 2021 as Associate Department Director of Youth Empowerment Services.

daryl.tilghman@star-vista.org
650.591.9623 ext. 109

Ben Marks received his Master of Social Work in 2005 from New York University. For the past 17 years, his Social Work experience has spanned a variety of areas including: Community Mental Health in Baltimore City, Trauma/Surgery and Traumatic Brain Injury at the Walter Reed Military Medical Center, Washington DC, and Active Duty Navy Social Work at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego. Since moving to the Bay Area, Ben has worked as a Supervisory Social Worker and Program Coordinator at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center and as the Manager for Social Services at Kaiser in Redwood City.

Ben is delighted to be a part of the StarVista team; supporting our dedication to strengthening and enriching the lives of all those within our community.

ben.marks@star-vista.org
650.591.9623 ext. 137

Michelle uses she/they pronouns and is passionate about helping to build healthy, informed, connected, and resilient communities everywhere they go. Michelle has over 15 years of experience working in the areas of social and environmental justice, youth development, and community building in the Pacific Northwest. After receiving a Master's degree in Public Affairs from the University of Washington, Michelle took a 3 year career break to work and study as a community midwife before returning to the nonprofit field to work with girls and queer youth through the lens of preventing childhood trauma and abuse and promoting holistic healing and wellness.

In their spare time, Michelle loves going on adventures with their 3.5-year-old, trying out new cooking recipes, dancing, connecting with plants and animals, and living in perpetual gratitude.