Hi, I’m Sara.

I’m a single Mom of two pretty amazing humans, a veteran marketer, community builder, professional networker, event junkie, dog mom, runner, hiker, volunteer, and someone who believes that life is a whole lot better when you stay true to yourself and show up. These days, both of my kids are in college, which means I’ve officially entered a new chapter of life. I’m still figuring out what this whole “two college kids” thing looks like—but I’m embracing it, cheering them on from the sidelines, and trying to enjoy the little bit of freedom that comes with it. 

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I have spent the last 24 years in digital marketing and the marketing events industry, and along the way, I’ve had the privilege of being the behind-the-scenes “secret sauce” at some pretty incredible industry events. You may have seen me working my magic at LinkUnite, Affiliate Summit, AGS, MailCon, Lead Generation World, Contact.io, and Elevate. I love the part of events that most people don’t see—the details, the relationships, the moving pieces, the problem-solving, and making sure the experience actually comes together.

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I’m also part of the amazing team behind the AFFY Gala, celebrating the people and companies doing incredible things across our industry. This is a particularly fun project for me because I was lucky enough to receive an AFFY Award myself back in 2019. Getting to help recognize others who deserve their moment in the spotlight is pretty special.

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And then there’s Utility Studio. I recently created Utility Studio because, after 24 years of being the person who jumps in, figures things out, builds relationships, manages the details, and gets things done, I realized there was a name for what I’ve always done best: being a utility player. Through Utility Studio, I work with businesses that need an experienced set of hands for events, trade shows, partnerships, business development, experiences, and those projects that simply need someone to jump in and own them. I believe good ideas are everywhere. The people who can actually make them happen are a little harder to find.

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One of the best parts of this industry has been the people I've met along the way—and I’m incredibly lucky to work alongside some seriously talented industry veterans. I have the privilege of building something very close to my heart with Amanda Farris, my co-founder at LinkUnite. LinkUnite is a women's movement in digital marketing built around connection, education, empowerment, and making sure no one gets left out.

Amanda and I are pretty simple people. We’re loyal, we’re country women, and we’d choose flip-flops or slippers over heels any day of the week. Together, we’re master networkers, big believers in community, and incredibly passionate about the people in this industry. At this point, the digital marketing industry really does feel like our second family. And we plan to keep building, connecting, and empowering as many women as we possibly can.

 

I believe in self-branding, staying true to yourself, and showing up.I don’t believe you have to be the loudest person in the room to make an impact. I believe in being genuine, doing what you say you’re going to do, treating people well, and building relationships that actually mean something. I also believe that people are far too quick to judge each other.

There are a few subjects you probably won’t ever get me talking about—politics being at the very top of that list. It’s my least favorite subject, and in my experience, those conversations rarely end well.

I’ve always told my kids: don’t judge people based on their politics, religion, race, or sexual preference.

I’m not in the business of judging people for what they believe or who they are.

If I had one wish—besides being able to bring back the people we’ve lost—it would be that people simply stopped judging each other so quickly.

Life is already hard enough.

We have no idea what someone else is carrying, what they’re going through, or what happened before they walked into the room.

Sometimes, just being kind to someone who is struggling can change their entire day—or even their life.

 

When I’m not working, I’m usually doing something.

I’ve spent years volunteering in my community and heading up several nonprofit organizations. I was also a youth sports coach for years, including coaching my daughter’s athletic teams before she hit high school.

These days, my mornings—and sometimes my lunch breaks—usually involve running, walking, or hiking.

Running and hiking keep me grounded. My sneakers are basically my best friends.

One of my favorite things to do is hike with my dogs and watch the sunrise on the trails around Monson. There’s something about being outside, early in the morning, with a cup of coffee waiting for me and my dogs doing their thing that puts everything back into perspective.

And yes, I’m still a New England girl at heart. Give me a good sunrise, a Red Sox game, a Dunkin’ iced coffee, my family, my dogs, and a pair of flip-flops and I’m pretty happy.

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Being a Mom has always been the biggest job I’ve ever had.

For years, my life revolved around school, sports, practices, games, volunteering, carpools, community events, and trying to be everywhere at once. Now, both of my kids are in college. And while I’m incredibly proud of the people they’re becoming, I’d be lying if I said this transition wasn’t emotional. My biggest goal as a Mom has never been to raise perfect kids. It has been to raise good humans. I want my daughter to become the woman she is capable of being—to know her worth, trust herself, and only allow healthy relationships into her life.

And I want my son to become a respectable man who understands how to treat people, especially the women in his life, with kindness and respect. They’re growing up way too fast, but I have no doubt they’ll accomplish whatever they put their minds to. They’re pretty damn awesome already.

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I’m a Mom.

A marketer.

An event person.

A networker.

A community builder.

A business owner.

A volunteer.

A dog mom.

A runner and hiker.

A New England girl.

A woman figuring out her next chapter while cheering her kids into theirs.

I’ve spent 24 years helping businesses, events, communities, and people make things happen.

And I have a feeling I’m just getting started.

Thanks for being here.

Grab your coffee (join me for Sunday coffee with Sara) and stick around.