Meet Kauri Allala
Kauri N. Allala was born on June 20, 1997, in Houston, Texas, to Alejandro and Nora Allala, and grew up alongside his siblings Nora “Pati” Calero, Alejandro “Alle” Allala Jr., and Melissa “Melu” Allala as the youngest of four. At the age of five, Kauri was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. At the time, his diagnosis was often described using the term Asperger’s, a label that, while no longer clinically used, continues to hold personal and community significance for many individuals and families.In June 2022, he legally changed his name from Robert Zachary Allala to Kauri, a name that reflected his sense of self and how he wished to move through the world.
Kauri was quiet, calm, and deeply intelligent. He expressed himself through creativity and curiosity, with a deep love for art and music. He taught himself how to play the piano and explored multiple languages, including French, German, Italian, and Japanese, reflecting his dedication to learning and his thoughtful way of engaging with the world. He also found joy in being outdoors and in nature, admiring the small, everyday moments that many of us take for granted.
Kauri earned an Associate’s degree in Arts from Lone Star College. At the time of his death, he was pursuing an American Sign Language (ASL) certificate and was approximately one year away from completing the program. His goal was to become an ASL interpreter, specifically to support Deaf individuals navigating court and legal settings, an aspiration rooted in his deep sense of justice, empathy, and desire to help others be heard.
As an autistic individual, Kauri often faced challenges navigating a society that was not always understanding or inclusive. His quiet nature and differences were frequently misunderstood, leading some to overlook him or label him as “weird” rather than taking the time to truly see him. This lack of acceptance and connection often resulted in feelings of loneliness and isolation, which over time contributed to additional mental health challenges, including depression.
On February 21, 2024, Kauri was tragically murdered by his roommate while seeking care for depression and anxiety at a mental health facility, highlighting critical gaps in mental health care and safety. He was 26 years old.
Kauri was a beloved son, an uncle, and a friend. He also left behind his beloved dog, Lady, who still waits for him to come home. His life and legacy are the reason Kauri’s Lucky Star Foundation exists. The foundation is named in his honor and after his favorite song, “Lucky Star” by Madonna, a song he loved and often sang, especially the lyric, “you must be my lucky star.” Though he is no longer with us, Kauri remains our lucky star, guiding this work and reminding us why it matters. His journey, marked by both struggles and triumphs, taught us the power of empathy, community, resilience, and perseverance. In his honor, we are committed to ensuring that others facing similar barriers, whether related to autism, poverty, mental health challenges, or violence, can find hope, support, and opportunity.
2025- 2028 Board Members
Melissa is a proud Houstonian with a lifelong passion for community, advocacy, and making sure everyone has the chance to thrive. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from the University of Houston and a Master of Science in Business Analytics from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a background that blends community-centered leadership with data-driven strategy.
Over the past decade, Melissa has worked across organizing, movement building, and equity-focused campaigns, from leading national voter engagement efforts to guiding coalitions that uplift marginalized voices.
In 2025, she launched Kauri’s Lucky Star Foundation in honor of her late brother, Kauri, whose kindness, love, and resilience continue to inspire everything she does. As President, Melissa works every day to grow our programs, build partnerships, and bring resources to people impacted by autism, mental health challenges, economic hardship, and violence.
For her, this isn’t just a role, it’s a heartfelt mission to carry forward her brother’s legacy and help build a more inclusive, compassionate, and empowered community.
Melissa C. Allala, MSBA, Board President
Alejandro “Alex” Allala Jr. – Board Vice President
Born and raised in Houston, Alex Allala Jr. has always valued family, community, and giving back. A proud graduate of the University of Houston, Alex built a career in software development, but his most meaningful work began with a deeply personal mission, honoring the memory of his younger brother, Kauri.
Kauri’s life was tragically cut short, but his spirit, kindness, and love continue to inspire Alex every day. As Vice President of Kauri’s Lucky Star Foundation, Alex is dedicated to turning heartbreak into hope, supporting the community, advocating for change, and keeping Kauri’s legacy alive.
With his technical expertise, problem solving mindset, and unwavering commitment to the cause, Alex plays a key role in building the foundation of the organization and guiding its growth. For Alex, this work is more than a role; it’s a way to channel love for his brother into action that can make a lasting difference.
Nora Calero was raised in Houston, Texas, and holds an Accounting degree from the University of Houston Downtown. As Treasurer of Kauri’s Lucky Star Foundation, she plays a vital role in safeguarding the organization’s financial health. She oversees budgeting, cash flow, and financial recordkeeping, provides clear and accurate financial reports to the Board of Directors, ensures compliance with all financial and nonprofit regulations, and helps guide the foundation’s longterm financial strategy.
For Nora, this work is deeply personal. She is driven by her love for her brother and her commitment to honoring his memory through meaningful action. Her passion, combined with her financial expertise, fuels her dedication to strengthening the foundation and expanding its impact. Nora believes wholeheartedly in the mission of Kauri’s Lucky Star Foundation and is committed to ensuring that Kauri’s legacy touches and helps as many lives as possible.
Nora Calero - Board Treasurer
Kiya Slater - Board Secretary
Kiya Slater is an international psychologist who has served as a therapist trainee, community college professor, civic engagement coordinator, youth director for a nonprofit organization, and a diversity, equity, and inclusion trainer. She has more than 15 years of experience working with youth and adolescents. After earning her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University, she wanted to focus on making mental health more accessible to diverse communities.
Her passion propelled her to finish her doctoral degree in international psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is excited to provide resources and support to help Houstonians in need. As an international psychologist, her motto is that before we set out to heal the world, we must first heal our hometowns.
Brandon Mclain - Board Sergeant At Arms
Brandon Mclain serves as the Sergeant at Arms within the organization, bringing a strong background in leadership, accountability, and operational support. He currently works as a Project Engineer at O’Donnell Snider Construction, where he helps manage project coordination, field operations, and client communication.
Brandon is a graduate of Texas Tech University, earning a degree in Construction Engineering. His technical expertise, combined with his commitment to service, allows him to contribute meaningfully to the mission and day-to-day operations of the nonprofit.
Dedicated, organized, and mission-driven, Brandon plays a key role in ensuring meetings, activities, and organizational processes run smoothly and effectively.
Adolf Calero - Board Governance Chair
Adolfo Calero brings more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, where he has built a reputation for strong compliance standards, ethical leadership, and a passion for developing people. Born in Nicaragua, raised in Nicaragua and California, and now residing in Bishop, Texas, Adolfo’s personal and professional journey reflects resilience, responsibility, and dedication to service.
In his role as Governance Chair for the Kauri’s Lucky Star Foundation (KLSF), Adolfo is committed to supporting a strong and effective Board of Directors. He leverages his deep understanding of accountability, regulatory compliance, and organizational structure to help ensure the foundation operates with integrity, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
Adolfo is honored to serve alongside his wife and other family members as part of KLSF’s mission. His involvement is driven by a heartfelt commitment to preserving the memory of Kauri Allala and helping as many people as possible in Kauri’s name. His leadership reflects both his professional discipline and his personal dedication to meaningful, mission-driven impact.
Nicholas “Nick” Villarreal - Board At-Large
Nick is a passionate graduate student in the clinical mental health program at Sam Houston State University with a strong commitment to mental health advocacy, social justice, and community service.
Nick gained valuable experience through volunteer roles with Rotary Youth Exchange and the Sam Houston Helpline. In the Rotary Youth Exchange, Nick participated in cross, cultural exchanges, fostering, understanding and empathy for diverse communities. Nick’s work with the Sam Houston Helpline involved providing peer support to students facing various challenges, developing strong skills for active listening, crisis management, and referral services.
Nick holds a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University and is currently working towards licensure as a clinical mental health counselor in the state of Texas and NCC certification. Nick's long-term goal is to provide counseling services that promote social equity, social justice and empower individuals from underserved communities.