As the Director of Participant Education and National Practice Leader for WELLth, Sarah helps individuals make money-related decisions with confidence. Whether it’s infusing excitement into a participant’s first-time enrollment experience or helping a more seasoned investor navigate complex pre-retirement considerations, Sarah has a refreshing ability relate to people and break down complex industry jargon. Sarah believes that the dream of financial independence can be a reality for those who can visualize it and take small steps toward it throughout their working years.
Sarah started her career in Sales with Automatic Data Processing and then spent seven priceless years at home with her young family. In 2016, Sarah joined SRP as an Education Specialist and has happily lead group education and one-on-one meetings with 1000s of retirement plan participants since then. In 2018 Sarah was promoted to Director of Participant Education and started leading the strategic education efforts for SRP firmwide. Sarah was instrumental in the 2020 launch of WELLth – a solution to provide personal financial planning and investment management solutions.
Sarah is a voracious reader, fitness enthusiast, devoted volunteer and passionate cook. She and her husband Patrick are joyfully raising three children: Matthew, Maria, and Julia. A native Michigander, Sarah prefers to be dockside at her family’s lake house whenever possible.
Certification: Series 6, Series 63, Series 65
What was your first job?
My first job was “customer service associate” (i.e. grocery bagger!) at a family-owned grocery store in my hometown of Okemos, MI. While I loved the work and the friends I made there, it was mortifying as a 15 year old girl to ride my bike to work wearing my uniform which consisted of a white dress shirt and men’s tie that I had to borrow from my dad!
What is your “why” for being in the retirement plan industry?
I love connecting with participants and helping them see retirement planning as something they can understand and take ownership of. I aim to make the process less intimidating and more accessible by relating to participants’ real-world financial concerns and goals. I am passionate about communicating that retirement is a “need” v. a “want” and helping people take the steps necessary toward a successful outcome.
What is your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition is hand-making ravioli in preparation for Christmas Eve dinner. Each year a group of us gathers the Saturday after Thanksgiving to roll the dough, making the filling and hand-cut each ravioli. We make enough to serve dinner to 50+ family members! There’s a lot of hard work and love that is poured into preparing this special meal.