Staff
![]() Robert Graham
Executive Director robert@sbsos.org Robert joined SBSOS as Executive Director in 2014 having been Santa Barbara Athletic Club’s Racquet Sports Director and as the General Manager. Prior to that, Robert worked as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and Union Bank. Robert was a professional squash player for 9 years reaching a high of #30 in the world and #1 in the US. He holds a Level 4 Professional Squash Coach certification, the highest level attainable worldwide, and in 1997 coached the United States Men’s Team at the Pan American Games in Mexico City. He was a founding board member of SBSOS in 2006, and has occupied various roles within the organization ever since. He served on the board of the Professional Squash Association, was a board member of the United States Squash Racquets Association, and President of the Southern California Squash Racquets Association. ![]() Cassie FitzGerald
Academic Director cassie@sbsos.org Cassie recently moved to the Santa Barbara area from Las Vegas, Nevada where she worked as a visual and performing arts teacher for an international school and a reading teacher for the Institute of Reading Development. For the past four years, Cassie worked extensively with students from varying cultural backgrounds and age groups. While living in both Florida and Texas, Cassie worked as a tutor, tutoring students of all age groups in varying subjects. She has a BFA from the University of West Florida in musical theatre and will graduate with her master’s degree in secondary education from Texas A&M University – Commerce in August of 2019. Following graduation, Cassie hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in education. Cassie has a deep-seated passion for the arts and enjoys integrating them into her teaching and classroom curriculum. Cassie is excited to work alongside the SBSOS staff and volunteers to enhance student learning and to formulate worthwhile relationships with students and their families. |
![]() Koji Tanaka
Program Director koji@sbsos.org Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Koji came to Santa Barbara in 2002 to attend UCSB, graduating in 2007 with degrees in Studio Art, Sculpture Emphasis and History of Art & Architecture, Architecture & Environment Emphasis. Upon graduating from UCSB he fell into his passion of woodworking, working under master woodworker, Victor DiNovi, for over three years before branching off on his own. During this time he also rekindled his love of working with children by volunteering with SBSOS in 2010 as a tutor. Since then he has been involved in every facet of programming from tutoring in academic sessions, running strength and conditioning sessions during squash, coordinating volunteers, community service projects, enrichment outings, and fundraising. As Program Director, Koji hopes to continue the excellent work of the program and contribute to its future growth. ![]() Miguel Nava
Squash Coach miguel@sbsos.org Miguel was a student in SBSOS for 9 years and graduated high school in 2014. Upon graduating, he was offered three college scholarships for his skilled squash playing. His highest achievements include: 2009 JCT U.S Squash 3rd Place BU13 (very first tournament he ever traveled to) (San Francisco), 2012 Oregon Single Squash Junior Silver Winner BU17 (Oregon), 2013 NUSEA BU17 Champion (Boston) (National Tournament), 2013 Los Angeles Junior Silver BU19 Winner (Los Angeles), 2015 Junior Silver Championship BU19 Champion (Chicago). He now is the official SBSOS squash coach. He currently attends SBCC. In his free time he enjoys photography, and is considering pursuing a career in criminal justice. |
Key Volunteers

"This program has been the best thing that happened to me since my arrival in Santa Barbara. You have some gem of a program on your hands and it is truly and positively impacting the lives of many kids in this community - not just kids, our lives too."
~ Nabil Laachi, Former Tutor & Squash Instructor, Volunteer
~ Nabil Laachi, Former Tutor & Squash Instructor, Volunteer
"There is no act that is too small to make a difference." -Jeffrey Canada