Amalu:
something valuable, pure
Present across different cultures, ‘Amalu’ is more than a word. It embodies a commitment to those we serve and those that seek transformational change.
‘Amalu’ is a tribute to our founder’s grandmothers. A combination of both of their first names, Amalu honors their memories, their service, and their legacy.
Our Building Blocks
At Amalu, we strive for every partner to be valued, seen, and heard. Our customized approach aims to foster resilience, self-esteem, and healthy relationships.
We envision creating a world where everyone can heal, grow, and thrive.
Our Core Values
Service
Compassion
Commitment to Excellence
Integrity
Community
Truth & Love
Meet Our Team
Amalu is a woman-owned, minority-founded coaching organization. Based in Los Angeles, we are on a mission to empower companies to enhance leadership development, employee wellness, and cultivate inclusive and high-performing teams.
Kathy Tan, M.A.
Founder & CEO, leadership coach
Kathy Tan is a Leadership Coach and Founder/CEO of Amalu Coaching, bringing a trauma-informed, identity-conscious approach to leadership development. She earned her Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine University, where she focused her research on gender-based violence against women and girls, and holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Michigan. Kathy has completed 40 hours of training as a domestic violence peer counselor, the Healthy Families Series training, and the Conscious Leadership for Equity program as an inaugural recipient of the Community Healing BEE FREE Grant.
With over a decade of cross-sector experience, Kathy has led and supported projects, partnerships, and organizational initiatives across business, mental health, nonprofit, and education sectors. In addition to coaching executives, senior leaders, and mission-driven teams - including an elected City Council member - she has led projects and collaborations - from one-off events to multi-partner initiatives - to achieve measurable results. She draws on this extensive project and program management experience as part of her leadership and coaching work at Amalu Coaching. Before founding Amalu, Kathy was honored to be elected by peers as a founding member of a prior organization’s Equity Council helping to address systemic practices.
In early 2022, Kathy interned in Asunción and Cerrito, Paraguay, working alongside a global organization on anti-violence prevention initiatives. She facilitated focus groups with local students and offered recommendations to support community efforts. In 2023, she was invited to serve as a Lead Table Discussant at the Business Fights Poverty Global Summit, leading a global dialogue on advancing female entrepreneurship.
Rooted in her lived experience as a first-generation Chinese and Filipina American, daughter of immigrants, Christian, dancer, traveler, and lifelong learner, Kathy brings cultural insight and a results-focused coaching style. She partners with leaders and teams to nurture purposeful leadership, well-being, and inclusive, high-impact cultures.
Cherry Johal
Amalu career coach, communications consultant
Cherry Johal is one of the Career Coaches at Amalu Coaching, bringing over 20 years of global leadership experience in branding, marketing, and public relations. She’s worked with iconic brands like National Geographic, Discovery Channel, FX Networks, and Disney—leading high-impact campaigns in over 30 countries.
As a seasoned career coach and communications consultant, Cherry takes a story-driven approach to helping people align their work with purpose. She guides individuals to uncover what makes them unique and organizations to craft meaningful narratives that resonate.
Based in Los Angeles, Cherry draws from her international background and diverse client base—entrepreneurs, creatives, nonprofits, and global brands alike—to deliver workshops that are both inspiring and actionable.
Jessica Ma
sales and outreach intern
Jessica Ma is a high school sophomore in the Bay Area with a GPA of 4.71. An aspiring business student, she is President of the Career Development Club at her school, an international qualifier in DECA, placing Top 10 at State/Regional level.
Professionally, she is an Outreach Manager for a gun violence non-profit, with volunteer experience totaling 100+ hours across tutoring elementary students, food service, and summer camp staff support. She has also started her own nonprofit, Empowering Minds of Youth, that is dedicated to bringing academic and mental guidance to youth.
Well-rounded in entrepreneurial knowledge and business fundamentals, Jessica is excited to use her skills in outreach, communications, and marketing to expand Amalu’s reach and impact during her internship while also learning valuable skills that she will need for the future. After high school, Jessica has aspirations to attend UCLA.