Title: Manager
Organization: NeighborWorks America
Location: Washington, DC

With nearly 20 years professional experience, Sarah Sturtevant has served the last 10 years as a community development practitioner, working for The Arlington County Office of Economic Development in Virginia; The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) in Philadelphia; and currently as a Program Manager at NeighborWorks America.

In 2009, Sarah graduated from Virginia Tech University with a Master’s Degree in Community Planning and Economic Development. Prior to obtaining her Master’s Degree, Sarah worked on multiple political campaigns and notably served as Chief of Staff to political consultant, James Carville from 2003 – 2007. Throughout her career, Sarah has worked to better communities across the country by helping shape public policy at all levels of government, and through creating and managing programs to revitalize disinvested communities.

Sarah has served on numerous boards including as a Mayoral appointee for the Philadelphia Mayor’s Police Advisory Commission, and as a Commission Member on the Alexandria, Virginia, Environmental Policy Commission.

Why are you motivated to participate in the Health Leaders Network? How will your participation enhance your current and future work?

I’m motivated to participate in the ULI Health Leaders Program in order to better understand the role health can play in changing neighborhoods. I believe my community development program and policy experience will contribute to my peers knowledge in this network. Additionally my former work in politics, and health related lobbying will complement the ULI Health Network members’ skillsets.

Health is such an important aspect of community development. Without good health, people cannot participate in making their communities stronger. As a ULI Health Network Leader I will work with my peers across the country and find out how they are making these connections that build stronger neighborhoods.

I am most interested in learning about best practices related to health program implementation. I am Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) certified and believe that these principles should be incorporated in all aspects of design in order to make communities and physical spaces safer. I look forward to learning more about projects across the country that are making communities safer through design and allowing for residents to live healthier lives.