Koya Partners | Diversified Search Group partnered with Center for Domestic Peace (C4DP) on the search for their Executive Director.

Our work resulted in the recruitment of Tara Peterson to the role.

Tara brings more than 20 years of experience addressing domestic abuse, youth violence, sexual assault, and reproductive rights. For the past 7 years, she served as the CEO of YWCA Glendale and Pasadena, where she played a pivotal role in revitalizing the organization’s 95-year legacy of supporting local women and girls. This was achieved by expanding programs, stabilizing the organization, ensuring growth, and igniting culture change and conversation around ending gender-based violence and advancing racial equity.

Under Tara’s leadership of YWCA of Glendale and Pasadena, the organization’s operating budget tripled, including a historic $1 million donation from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott for the organization’s work addressing gender-based violence and advancing racial justice.

Prior to her tenure at the YWCA, Tara spent a decade working at the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence (CPEDV), including five years as its Executive Director, leading statewide policy, legislative, and budget advocacy efforts. Peterson also served as the National Program Director for Just Detention International, advocating on behalf of incarcerated survivors and working with corrections agencies on adopting policies that keep prisoners safe from sexual abuse.

Tara obtained a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies from California State University, Sacramento. She also holds a master’s degree in Multi-Cultural Education, and has been personally recognized for excellence in leadership, receiving multiple awards over the course of her career.