Born in Elk Grove, California, Sarah grew up alongside an older brother and sister. Her childhood was spent trying her hand at every sport and activity imaginable—never sticking with one for long. By the age of 16, she already felt that spark of independence and motivation to make her own way in the world, so she moved out of her home.

At 18, with just a few community college classes under her belt, Sarah dove headfirst into what would become a multi-decade career in Risk Management. Her first job was at Gallagher Bassett in Sacramento, handling clerical work. Her curiosity and drive led to a promotion as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Assistant, and she spent over four years honing her skills there.

Next, she joined Hazelrigg Risk Management Services, which eventually became part of CorVel Corp. Over five years, Sarah climbed the ladder from Claims Assistant to Claims Adjuster, eventually transferring to San Diego—a move that would shape the rest of her journey.

Sarah stayed in San Diego and joined American Claims Management (ACM) as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Adjuster for four years, followed by a similar role at American International Group (AIG) for a year. But throughout those years, she found herself wondering what life was like on the employer side of the table. Determined to find out, she took a leap and joined Rubio’s Coastal Grill. There, she rose through the ranks from Claims Manager to Director of Risk & Insurance over eight years. It was during her time at Rubio’s that she first attended the National RIMS Conference, diving deeper into the world of risk management and building a network of like-minded professionals.

In the 23 years she has dedicated to risk, Sarah has never stopped learning. She’s attended countless classes and conferences and earned a long list of certificates and designations—including Workers’ Compensation Claims Administration and the Associate Risk Management (ARM) credential. She’s currently working toward her Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and shows no signs of slowing down.

At the end of last year, Sarah made another exciting move, joining the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority as a Senior Risk Analyst. Within months, she was promoted to Manager of Insurance and Construction Risk. Her day-to-day involves reviewing contracts, working on insurance renewals, and managing claims—a whole new world of learning as she navigates the complexities of airports and construction.

Sarah didn’t just find a professional home in San Diego; she also found her personal home. She met her husband, Brian, not long after moving here. Brian works as an Assistant Fire Chief in San Diego, and together they’ve built a life in Chula Vista with their two kids and Sarah’s parents nearby to help out. Their 17-year-old daughter, Mackenzie, is a tennis and jiu-jitsu enthusiast, while 12-year-old Beau is a soccer star with plans to play in Spain this summer.

Sarah has a knack for turning healthy, otherwise bland food into delicious meals and loves nothing more than a warm vacation with her family. Her ideal day? Lounging by the pool, followed by a BBQ and music with her loved ones.

And here’s a fun fact: In her younger days, Sarah was fearless—she’d jump out of planes and off cliffs without a second thought! Though you won’t find her bungee jumping these days, she recently tackled another fear: public speaking. She made a pact with herself to say “yes” to every speaking opportunity—and with a dozen events now under her belt, she’s well on her way to conquering that challenge too.

Sarah brings this same spirit of curiosity and courage to RIMS, and we’re thrilled to have her as part of the community.