Strategic Planning and Finance Committees

Strategic Partnerships, Google

Former Mentor

April 2022 - December 2031

Sandeep Ashok has been a proud part of the Friends for Youth community since 2005, beginning his journey as a 1:1 mentor and joining the board in the 2010s. In 2023, he was appointed Board Chair.

Professionally, Sandeep serves as a Senior Program Manager at Google with more than 25 years of experience leading complex, transformational programs. His extensive background includes strategic operations, M&A, and deal advisory roles as a Director of Strategy at KPMG and Corporate Development Manager at AMD.

An alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin, Sandeep is passionate about leveraging his professional expertise in scaling organizations to help expand Friends for Youth's life-changing mentoring programs across the Bay Area.

Strategic Planning and Fundraising Committees

Managing Director, Altamont Capital Partners

November 2018 - December 2026

Kevin Mason is an investment professional with 15+ years of experience in strategy, finance, investing and business building. He currently serves as a Managing Director at Altamont Capital Partners, where he leads the firm investment activities in the franchising and multi-unit consumer sectors.

Kevin also services on the board of Tacala, the largest Taco Bell franchisee in the country, and Mini Melts, a frozen novelties business.

Kevin holds a bachelor of arts from Georgetown University and has been a supporter and advocate of youth volunteering organizations since serving as a mentor in New York City twenty years ago.

Outside of work, Kevin enjoys playing tennis, exercising, traveling and spending time with his wife and two kids.

Finance Committee

Director, PwC

April 2021 - December 2030

Ali Ameer is an audit and assurance leader with 17 years of experience in technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) audit, financial reporting, and risk management. He currently serves as an Audit Partner at PwC, where he leads audit engagements for technology clients, delivering strategic financial oversight and building trust in the capital markets.

Ali holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in California and Texas, and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA).

His commitment to youth development and mentorship reflects his belief in empowering the next generation through guidance and opportunity. Outside of work, Ali enjoys traveling and exploring new cities.

Fundraising Committee

Sales Rep (Retired), Honeywell

1-to-1 Mentor and Group Mentor

March 2023 - December 2031

Governance Committee

Senior Executive, (Retired)

November 2018 - December 2026

Joe Pert is a retired foodservice executive with experience in sales and marketing and a longstanding commitment to serving his community.

He is a past president of the board of Second Harvest Food Bank and currently serves on the boards of Hope Services and the Scholarship Board at Notre Dame High School in Belmont.

Joe earned his degree in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Agribusiness from Santa Clara University. He was honored with Santa Clara University’s Ignatian Award for his work establishing a nationwide after-school feeding program through a partnership between Second Harvest Food Bank and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Governance Committee

Sr. Product Manager, Core Media Concepts

April 2021 - December 2029

Governance Committee

Former N-House Council for University of California

April 2021 - Decemeber 2030

Fundraising Committee

Sales Strategy, Segment Twilio

July 2024 - December 2032

Karen Nga is a startup co-founder and GTM leader passionate about building impactful organizations and supporting youth in the community.

She previously shaped early sales and revenue strategy at high-growth tech leaders Dropbox and Segment (acquired by Twilio). Karen holds a degree in Human Biology from Stanford University.

In her free time, she enjoys gardening, running, strength training, exploring local hiking trails with her chocolate lab Kodi, and playing the cello.

Paddu Melanahalli is a senior engineering executive and operational strategist with more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership, global operations, quality governance, and organizational transformation.

Throughout his career, Paddu has managed complex technology portfolios and fiscal responsibilities while supporting strategic decision-making within multi-billion-dollar enterprises.

A passionate advocate for mentorship and human capital development, Paddu has dedicated much of his career to building mentorship ecosystems, developing emerging leaders, and fostering leadership diversity. He also brings extensive nonprofit governance experience, including previously serving as Board President for an international educational infrastructure organization.

As a member of the Friends for Youth Board of Directors, Paddu brings a systems-thinking and operational excellence perspective to help strengthen the organization, scale community impact, and create opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Tara Borejka brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, brand identity, and creative campaign management to Friends for Youth.

Currently, Tara serves as Design Producer for Corporate Identity on Apple’s Marketing Communications team, where she helps safeguard the brand, logo, and trademarks of one of the world’s most valuable companies. Prior to Apple, Tara worked as a creative producer in New York City, managing campaigns for leading global fashion and luxury brands.

Tara is passionate about giving back to her community and is a member of the Junior League of Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula, where she has served on the Board and currently serves as Co-Chair of the Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee (CalSPAC), advocating for public policy priorities on behalf of the Junior Leagues of California.

Tara holds a master’s degree from George Washington University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her dog, Birdie, crafting, and learning to play Mahjong.

Fundraising Committee

Sales Engineer, Asahi Intecc

March 2025 - December 2033

Jeff Jeff Gaul is a Regional Sales Manager with over 25 years of experience in technical sales, medical device manufacturing. He currently works for Asahi Intecc USA where he helps startups and the top 25 medical device manufacturers design and manufacture angioplasty devices from head to toe.

Previously, Jeff was Chair of the Redondo Beach Public Safety Commission.. He also serves on the Beach Cities Health District Strategic Planning Committee.

Jeff holds a Bachelor's Degree from UC Berkeley in Asian Studies, and while working for a Japanese trading company in San Jose, Jeff served as a mentor for Friends For Youth in 2001-2002.

Outside of work Jeff and his wife and daughter enjoy traveling, volunteer work, and occasionally golf and tennis.