Sarah received her BA in Communication/Public Relations from Millikin University. While debating on whether grad school would be the next best thing, she decided to stay at Millikin as an AmeriCorps*VISTA, where she focused on economic development and education for one school year. Many of her duties entailed creating service-learning opportunities, grant management for voter engagement, solidifying and maintaining partnerships with community organizations. She then went on to complete her Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Illinois- Springfield. During her time as an MPA student, she served as a Graduate Public Service Intern (GPSI) at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and a Case Manager at a behavioral health hospital.
At the start of a global pandemic, she joined ICOY as a Policy Analyst. During her first year, she assumed all things Medicaid and Behavioral Health, including facilitating trainings and providing amended language to the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center (MTAC) legislation to ensure its passage. A year into her role, she was promoted to Assistant Executive Director where she expanded her capacity to assist the CEO with larger internal and external duties that would allow for a more efficient work culture, including co-leading the DEI committee and other expanded leadership efforts. She also represents ICOY and its members on policy commissions, committees, and various workgroups. As a public servant, Sarah is someone who wishes to always teach and give back to those in the community, especially as it relates to regaining power in underserved areas by extending resources and opportunities for growth. When she is not “working”, she can be found selling real estate in the Chicagoland area, traveling with friends and family, binge-watching the latest TV shows, or enjoying brunch and creating content for her socials.