Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Mayo.
Hi Sandra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was raised as one of ten siblings in a large religious based, close-knit family. That environment shaped my core values—compassion, resilience, and a deep sense of responsibility. Those early lessons in leadership, humility, and service have guided every phase of my life.
I’m the proud mother of one beautiful daughter, whose journey has been nothing short of inspiring. She has distinguished herself as both a world-class athlete and a successful fashion designer. Supporting her drive and creativity has taught me the importance of nurturing talent, encouraging boldness, and standing strong through every season.
Professionally, I bring over 23 years of experience in behavioral health, where I’ve held dual executive roles as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). As CFO, I led financial planning, budgeting, and regulatory compliance. As COO, I managed staffing, client care operations, program development, and organizational strategy. These roles required a balance of structure, compassion, and visionary thinking—tools that have fully prepared me to build impactful systems and lead with excellence.
Outside of my work in health and human services, I am also a cigar enthusiast who curates elevated cigar experiences. I take pride in pairing elegant presentation with in-depth education about cigar history, origins, and craftsmanship. For me, cigars are not just leisure—they represent culture, conversation, and community.
Today, I serve as the Founder and Executive Director of Sandra’s Giving Heart, a nonprofit organization committed to serving survivors of sex trafficking. Our mission is to restore hope and rebuild lives through a comprehensive network of services, including:
Mental health Services
Safe and stable housing
Job placement assistance
Case Management
Through these wraparound services, we aim to break cycles of trauma and exploitation and equip survivors with the tools they need to thrive. You can learn more about our mission and impact at www.sandrasgivingheart.com.
Every role I’ve held—daughter, mother, philanthropist, executive, advocate—has brought me to this purpose: to lead with heart, to serve with intention, and to create systems that truly change lives
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not—and I wouldn’t be who I am today if it had been, besides if it was easy everyone would do it!
Each chapter of my journey came with its own set of challenges. Growing up in a large family meant learning early how to navigate limited resources, find my voice, and carry responsibility well before adulthood. As a mother, I faced the unique balance of supporting a gifted daughter in two demanding industries—sports and fashion—while managing the emotional and financial weight that often comes with nurturing greatness.
In my professional life, holding dual roles as CFO and COO in the behavioral health field was both rewarding and relentless. I was responsible for making hard decisions that impacted lives, managing crises, sustaining compliance under pressure, and building systems from the ground up—all while being expected to lead with both authority and empathy. There were days I questioned if I could do both—and do them well. I also encountered resistance and bias as a Black woman in executive leadership, where my competence was often second-guessed before it was respected.
Founding Sandra’s Giving Heart introduced a different kind of challenge—emotional weight. Serving survivors of sex trafficking isn’t just about programming; it’s about holding space for deep trauma, rebuilding trust, and standing in the gap for people whose pain is often unseen. Carrying that responsibility requires not only skill but spiritual and emotional resilience.
Even in my role as a cigar enthusiast and curator of elevated cigar experiences, I’ve had to push against stereotypes and create space where culture, elegance, and education are respected, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated niche.
What got me through it all—without question—was my faith. My belief in something greater than myself has always grounded me. And my family—especially my daughter and the lessons I inherited from my upbringing—has been my constant source of strength. They reminded me who I am on the days I felt like giving up.
No, the road hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been worth it. Every struggle refined my purpose, shaped my leadership, and deepened my commitment to serve with heart, strategy, and grace.
I remember asking my mother once, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Her response has stayed with me ever since. She said, “Because God gives certain people the strength to bring others through.” That answer shaped the way I see my life, my challenges, and ultimately, my purpose.
I live on that truth. The road I’ve walked—both personally and professionally—has not been easy. But if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. It gives me deep fulfillment to believe that God gave me this assignment, and because of that, failure is not an option. Others are depending on my strength—whether it’s clients in crisis, survivors seeking healing, or my own daughter watching me lead by example.
My name, Sandra, means “giving”. And I truly believe I was born with the gift of service. That’s not something I take lightly. I understand that my gift is not just for me—it’s for others. I dare not misuse it or let it go unused. This isn’t just a career, or a nonprofit, or a leadership title. This is my calling. And I understand my assignment.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My Professional Journey and Purpose
I’ve dedicated over 23 years to the field of behavioral health, and during that time, I’ve worn many hats—clinician, trainer, program developer, and executive. What began as a passion for helping others turned into a lifelong mission to build systems of care that are compassionate, effective, and rooted in integrity.
I’ve held dual executive leadership roles as both Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing not just the financial health of an organization, but also the operational excellence that sustains quality service delivery. I’ve managed budgets, staffing, training, compliance, Medicaid/insurance regulations, and clinical programming—all while mentoring emerging leaders and staying grounded in direct community impact.
What I specialize in is the balance of structure and heart. I’m known for building efficient systems that still center people. Whether I’m streamlining operations, leading a strategic plan, or helping a team navigate crisis, I bring calm, clarity, and direction. I’m often the one called on when things need to be fixed or elevated—and I take pride in that. My leadership style is grounded, decisive, and compassionate.
I’m also the Founder and Executive Director of Sandra’s Giving Heart, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of sex trafficking through mental health services, safe housing, job placement, and financial literacy. This work is not just an extension of my career—it’s my calling. It’s where my executive experience meets purpose. I’m most proud of the fact that I can take all I’ve learned—professionally, personally, and spiritually—and use it to uplift those who have been silenced, overlooked, or forgotten.
What sets me apart is that I don’t lead from theory—I lead from experience. I’ve been the staff member doing the hard shifts. I’ve been the executive balancing a mission and a budget. I’ve been the woman who had to persevere through setbacks, loss, and personal sacrifice. I bring the same authenticity to a boardroom that I bring to a community center. I don’t believe in shortcuts. I believe in legacy, quality, and doing the work the right way.
I’m also proud to be a cultural curator and cigar enthusiast, offering elevated cigar experiences that blend sophistication with education. Whether I’m guiding someone through behavioral health recovery or a cigar tasting session, my goal is the same: to create space for healing, learning, and excellence.
In every role I hold, I strive to be a bridge—between systems and people, pain and purpose, hardship and healing. My career has not only shaped what I do—it has shaped who I am
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is simply growing up in a house full of siblings. As one of ten children, I didn’t need to go outside or find neighborhood friends to create a team—we had our own built-in team right at home. Whether it was playing games, having family competitions, or just sharing the same space, we were always connected. There was never a dull moment, and we always had someone to laugh with, cry with, or lean on.
What made it so special was the closeness we shared. Each of my siblings loved me in their own unique way, and I learned to appreciate the beauty of being loved in nine different expressions. That kind of love was a covering—safe, free, and sacred. It was heaven, right here on Earth.
Now that most of my siblings live in different states and have their own lives, I miss that togetherness deeply. I miss the comfort, the freedom to vent, and the sense that no matter what was going on in the world, I had a home team who understood me without explanation.
Those moments shaped who I am and taught me the value of family, connection, and unconditional support. It remains one of the most treasured parts of my story.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.noveltycigarbar.com and www.sandrasgivingheart.com
- Instagram: @noveltycigarbar, @msnoveltyexperience, and @sandrasgivingheart1
- Facebook: noveltycigarbar, sandrasizzle, sandrasgivingheart
