The Curious Hand-Raiser.
Sara’s definition of adventure involves trusting her gut and taking leaps before everything is perfectly mapped out. Whether that means saying yes to back-bowl skiing on vacation or bringing that same instinct into the office, she’s built a career on the advice: “Raise your hand even if you’re not 100% sure. Growth doesn’t come from waiting until things feel comfortable.”
The Miami University graduate who once edited her high school newspaper has spent years at GBQ connecting dots between ideas, teams, and opportunities. She’s most proud of the trust she’s earned. Her kids (a tween and a teenager) keep her grounded, humble, and laughing, constantly reminding her what really matters.
Sara admires leaders who blend confidence with kindness, especially women who build careers, raise families, and stay curious through it all. When she’s not building meaningful experiences for clients and colleagues, she’s likely on a tennis court, planning a family vacation, or discovering great food. Her most prized possessions aren’t things at all, but photos and memories of a life built around people, stories, and moments worth planning for.
- Professional Bio
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Sara is a partner in the firm and serves as GBQ's Director of Market Strategy. In this role, she is responsible for leading the firm's growth efforts and overseeing the marketing and sales functions for alignment toward targeted revenue growth. She is responsible for coordinating GBQ's organic growth efforts and facilitating increased collaboration amongst practice areas, management, and service lines. Sara works closely with the growth strategy team and Managing Director, as well as niche leaders and the member group, to plan and support growth initiatives.
Since joining GBQ, Sara has led the Firm's vision for growth by overseeing and executing corporate identity programs, events, advertising, direct mail, social media, CRM and public relations campaigns. Prior to joining the firm in 2004, Sara worked in marketing at the Ohio Restaurant Association.
Sara graduated from Miami University with a degree in Marketing and Finance. She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) and the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM), where she has held various leadership roles.
She is a member of the Boomer Marketing & Practice Development Circle, the American Marketing Association, and the Association for Accounting Marketing's Advanced Digital CX Circle. Demonstrating her commitment to the community, Sara holds a position on the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Board and serves on the Chamber's marketing committee. She is also treasurer of The Beehive Alliance, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, SMART Columbus Acceleration Partner Program member, and a former president of the OhioHealth Foundation's Kitchen Kapers board and Barrington Elementary School's PTO.
Sara was named “Rookie of the Year” at GBQ in 2005, was awarded the firm's “Internal Five Star Service” award in 2007 and received the Jack Boyle Leadership Award in 2015, 2018 and 2020. In July 2013, she was named a “YP to Know” in Central Ohio by the Columbus Young Professionals Club.
In 2015, Sara was recognized by Columbus Business First as one of Columbus' Forty Under Forty. She is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Columbus.
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- Education
- Miami University (Oxford, OH) - B.A., Marketing and Finance
- Professional Associations
- American Marketing Association (AMA)
- Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM)
- Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Marketing Committee
- AAM’s Introhive & Client Data Insights Circle
- BDO C-Suite Growth Leader Circle
- GR8 Marketing Peer Circle (Leader)
- Boomer Marketing & Business Development Circle
- SMART Columbus Acceleration Partner Program Member
- Winding River DDD Peer Circle
- Community Activities
- The Beehive Alliance (Board Member)
- Columbus Chamber of Commerce (Board Member)
- Meals on Wheels (Volunteer)
- OhioHealth Foundation Kitchen Kapers (Past President)
- Past Speaking Engagements
- November 2025: OSCPA Power of Change panelist
- October 2023: Branding Is More Than Fonts & Colors
- May 2023: Uncovering Your Firm's Purpose
- June 2019: OSCPA Women, Wealth & Wellness "Impact of Pay Equity"
- July 2018: Discover Your Why (panel)
- May 2015: Hot Marketing Ideas That Generate Opportunities (panel)
- May 2015: Why Does Target Know More About Me Than My CPA Firm Does
- September 2009: Columbus Bar Association: Business Development In A Down Economy
- August 2009: Business First Social Media Summer Camp Panelist
- December 2009: HRACO Best Places To Work Panelist
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