EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BLUE ZONES PROJECT SCOTTSDALE
Servant leader, alliance builder, and experienced community collaborator
- 16+ years of leadership experience in destination marketing, community engagement, and partner development
- Scottsdale Leadership Board Past-President
- Community Celebrating Diversity Board Past-President
Sarah Kearney leads Blue Zones Project Scottsdale as the Executive Director. Her leadership experience is diverse and rooted in community well-being, service, and forward-thinking optimism. She most recently worked for Experience Scottsdale, whose mission is to enhance the Scottsdale community through tourism. In Sarah’s 16+ year tenure at the organization, she held several leadership roles and specialized in worldwide leisure sales, partner development strategy, membership and community engagement, program development, and more.
Driven by her passion for the Scottsdale community, Sarah has served, led, and guided several local organizations, leaving a cross-sector imprint. She has served as the Board President for Scottsdale Leadership, the Board President for Community Celebrating Diversity, a Board Member for Scottsdale Sister Cities, the Officer of Membership for Millennials in Travel, and the Vice President of Community Outreach at GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix/Scottsdale.
Sarah holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a B.A. in Communication from Arizona State University. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, sports and spending time in the Scottsdale sunshine. She is a proud wife and hockey, dance, and dog mom to her two children and golden retriever.
GET TO KNOW SARAH
What’s your mantra or favorite famous quote?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” – Gandhi
How do you downshift?
Downshifting is taking quiet moments to myself to reset and rejuvenate. It can be a cup of coffee in the morning, a few minutes to read alone throughout the day, or taking a walk and listening to a podcast. With that said, I also love to downshift by enjoying meals with friends and family where our conversations are filled with lots of laughter.
What is your favorite Power 9 principle and why?
That’s an easy one for me–Loved Ones First. We are a family first home and enjoy our time spent together in any and all capacities. Many of the other Blue Zones Power 9 principles are incorporated into Loved Ones First for me, especially Purpose.
Share a life hack!
One pot rapid cooker meals. As a busy working mom who is continuing to learn how to downshift and take time to destress, having a rapid cooker that can cook a delicious and healthy meal for our family of four–one where we can incorporate cooking a grain, beans, and protein all in under 30 minutes in one mechanism–is certainly a life hack worth sharing.
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I was an all-state bowler in high school in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Bowling is a family favorite for our household and I am always happy to bring out the bowling shoes and bowling balls to participate in any kind of bowling function. Not sure if my husband knew what he was in for on our first bowling date as I am quite competitive. I am sure it was my bowling skills that won him over.
