Hi, I'm Sara.
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Let's see how I can partner with you.
I partner with mission-driven organizations to transform complex challenges into strategic, human-centered solutions.
Sara Hicks-West, 2024 ("Building a Trauma-Informed Approach to Disaster Recovery workshop", Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President)
Community Engagement
Crisis Management
Disaster Response
Resilience
Phoenix Collaborative strengthens the capacity of nonprofits, governments, and communities to navigate crisis and build resilience. Through strategic planning, training, and systems design, we help organizations prepare, respond, and recover—ensuring that survivors of gender-based violence, people experiencing homelessness, and other vulnerable groups are protected and supported.
Resilient communities are where crisis never erases compassion or justice.
― My background
Throughout my career, I’ve worked at the intersection of crisis, community, and systems change. Each chapter, from leading disaster response efforts to shaping national housing strategies, has deepened my belief that lasting impact requires both adaptability and intention. My greatest strength lies in collaboratively navigating complex challenges with clarity, compassion, and a strategic eye, helping organizations move from reactive to resilient.
― Skills
Non-profit Leadership and Program Development
Complex, large-scale crisis response supporting vulnerable populations
Team building, mentoring
Crisis Communications and Response
Strategic Planning
Cross-sector partnership development and collaboration
Charlie Maltbie and Sara Hicks-West, 2017 Hurricane Harvey, heading to open a shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX
"Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint."
From TED Talks Education by Angela Lee Duckworth, “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance”. Copyright © 2013 by TED.
Tenacity. Passion. Grit.
― Work experience
Project manager
Yeall & Co / Aug 2016 - Aug 2018
I was lucky to learn the ropes at Yeall Co., where I worked with an international team on projects including edible smartphone cases and human cloning.
― Education
Columbia University
Master's degree, International Business / 2016 - 2018
Stanford University
Bachelor’s degree, Business Administration / 2012 - 2016
― Courses
Agile methodology
Spaetzle Institute / 2016
Senior project manager
Stilltech / Aug 2018 - Present
I’ve been central to delivering two extensive projects while working at Stilltech, both in the augmented reality space.
Project management methodologies
Knödl Labs / 2017
“Whenever I am in a difficult situation where there seems to be no way out, I think about all the times I have been in such situations and say to myself: I did it before, so I can do it again.”
- Idowu Koyenikan
Amy Edmondson on Teaming:
Situational Humility
Curiosity
Risk
Orbiting the Giant Hairball
by Gordon MacKenzie
― JEREMY WATSON
We've worked on many projects together with Brooke at Stilltech, and she's a true asset to any team. She's a team player, but think on her feet and never settles for a no. Her ambition and passion for what she does is uncanny, and it's been a pleasure to see her progress and grow more confident in her professional role over time. I thoroughly recommend her for any leadership or project management roles.
Brooke was my manager at Yeall & Co and taught me everything I know about project management. As an intern, she never treated me differently from other team members – instead, she whole-heartedly embraced my ideas and input. She helped me to think about the bigger picture and implement strategy into my everyday work, but also showed me how to bring people together and unite them for a single goal.
― LIANNE HAYES
What they say:
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