My journey in the world of education is deeply rooted in a passion that sparked at age 19, when I first stepped into a San Francisco classroom as a teacher. The foundation of my experiences was laid as I co-founded an alternative school, which was nurtured further by being selected as a Master Teacher at the UC Berkeley School of Education. For over 23 years, I've dedicated myself to working alongside teachers and administrators to build and maintain meaningful learning environments. These endeavors align perfectly with my current mission – to champion equity-centered strategies that empower organizations to thrive. I am committed to translating strategic visions into impactful realities, where purpose-driven leadership and collaboration lead to sustainable success.

Sally Garretson is a proud Oakland native who came up through the city's public schools, bringing a grounded, community-rooted perspective to her role as Director of Communications at Dr. Louise Malandra & Associates. She holds an Associate of Arts in Political Science from Berkeley City College and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs from UCLA, with studies spanning social welfare, urban planning, and public policy. Sally is currently a legal assistant at the McGuinness Law Group, a law firm dedicated to advocating for disability rights. Her legal background also includes experience in tenant housing rights at the Tenant's Law Firm and sex discrimination policy through her work with the Title IX office at UC Berkeley. Her years of equity-focused community work — developing awareness campaigns to combat social isolation in schools and leading youth leadership initiatives across the Bay Area — have further sharpened her ability to craft communications that resonate across diverse audiences. At Dr. Louise Malandra & Associates, she channels this breadth of experience into strategies that connect educators, institutions, and families with the resources they need to drive lasting change in education.