In January of 2018, I experienced perhaps the most challenging professional experience I had ever encountered. In less than one hour, a massive mud and debris flow washed away much of the institution I had recently joined. Fortunately, I had plenty of experience in crisis communications. Here's what Steve Jacobsen, who was until May of 2018 the Director of La Casa de Maria Retreat and Conference Center, had to say about our collaboration during those very difficult days.
"Sarah had joined our staff at La Casa de Maria just before the January 9 mud and debris flow occurred...within a few hours, nine buildings were destroyed and our organizational reality was radically changed. We were faced with a confusing and dynamic new situation that was receiving extensive media attention. We turned to Sarah to help us with our messaging and media relations, and she proved incredibly talented in helping us manage the evolving story. She was 'street smart' in dealing with the press, articulate in all her communication and also very skilled in recognizing opportunities to promote and advance our mission. Without her, I don't know what would have happened. With her, our story shifted from being about a disaster to being a story of renewal and hope. She is a uniquely gifted professional who has been a joy to work with.”
It's always great to receive feedback.
Here's the testimonial my boss gave me when I departed from Cate after six years as Director of Marketing and Communications.
Sarah came to us from Brown University, where she was a key player in the Communications Office. Having come to that post from work at CNN and NBC News, Sarah was a master at capturing the nuances of an event or a person or a place. She came here to help us capture the essence of those very things here on the Mesa and throughout the extended Cate family, and she has proved as masterful as we expected.
Her work with the Bulletin has set standards that few college publications can match. Her writing has both a journalistic discipline and candor, which she balances with great appreciation and respect for story and narrative. When Sarah prepares to tell a tale, you know you are in for a treat.
She has dramatically upgraded all of our digital portals, overseen the buildout of our new website, increased the functionality of all externally-facing information services, and increased the professionalism and purpose of the marketing and communications office. To that very public work, she added the behind-the-scenes judgment and wisdom that distinguishes good practices and process.
Indeed, everything that Sarah does is constructed so that she can measure its efficacy, adjust to need or demand, and ensure that the message is both coherent and easily received. Regardless of the media at her disposal or the message that needs to be sent, Sarah is both artist and producer, author and director.
