With years of experience to her credit, Sarah Gallardo has excelled as the founder and the executive director of Sarah Speaks Up since 2015. A nonprofit organization that promotes domestic violence awareness, advocates for domestic violence survivors, and provides resources to women, children, men, and families in need, Sarah Speaks Up encourages those who have lived through domestic abuse to share their own experiences and inspire others who may be facing similar circumstances to live free of violence and abuse. A survivor of domestic violence herself, Ms. Gallardo's message is not that of a victim, but of a strong woman who has overcome adversity, defied the odds, and remained positive in the face of violence in order to change the lives of herself and her child for the better.

Beyond her primary responsibilities with Sarah Speaks Up, Ms. Gallardo has been active with numerous additional endeavors in her areas of interest. She has further worked as the founder of the Veterans for Victims Program, which connects the survivors of domestic abuse with military veterans who can encourage, empower, and support them through their difficult times, including escorting them to and from court when facing their abusers. In 2019, she served as a delegate for the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women. Creator of the Fresh Start Program, Ms. Gallardo is also affiliated with Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) and is serving as Soroptimist International of Farmington Valley’s President for the second consecutive year.

Ms. Gallardo has found success with her written works as well, authoring "Hiding in Plain Sight: A Glimpse Into the Reality of Domestic Violence" in 2017. Likewise, she contributed her story to the short film "From Trauma to Triumph," and continues to share her experiences through the Sarah Speaks Up Blog. Interviewed for numerous media outlets, including the Newington Town Crier and Iheart's Community Access Radio, Ms. Gallardo has established herself as a prolific public speaker and a volunteer with the Prudence Crandall Center in New Britain, which pledges its help to women who have experienced and escaped domestic abuse.

Before embarking on her professional path, Ms. Gallardo pursued an education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, completing coursework in vocal performance in 2000. Subsequently, she continued her studies at Central Connecticut State University, enrolling in courses on communication, media studies, criminology, and public relations. In addition to these accomplishments, Ms. Gallardo has been certified as a domestic violence counselor by the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

In light of her exceptional undertakings, Ms. Gallardo has accrued several accolades throughout her impressive career. In 2015, she was presented with the Live Your Dream Award from the Farmington Valley, Connecticut, chapter of the SIA. Notably, she was honored with the First 100 Men and Women Award from the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence that same year. Moreover, Ms. Gallardo accepted the Women of Inspiration Award from the CT Sun of the WNBA, also in 2015. She also received the 40 Under Forty award from the Hartford Business Journal in 2018 and the 40 Under 40 award from CT Magazine in 2019. Ms. Gallardo most recently received recognition as one of the New Britain CT’s YWCA Women In Leadership, 2022.

A dedicated single mother who is committed to raising her child to be well-versed in healthy relationships, Ms. Gallardo is further dedicated to making survivors feel comfortable, as she can relate to their experiences; she has walked in their shoes in a way that a therapist may not have, which allows them to connect and overcome their pain. Looking toward the future, she hopes to release the Veterans for Victims Program nationwide. Furthermore, Ms. Gallardo plans on having her story made into a limited series so that she can reach a larger audience.