Sara believes everything can be made better through design. It’s this belief that has fueled her career as designer and strategist over the last 20 years from New York to Chicago. A firm believer in the power of a first impression, Sara thrives on the complexity of how a brand evolves to integrate with services, products, environments and digital design across disparate industries. From the start of her career at Pentagram under Michael Bierut to her most recent role as Chief Creative Officer at Chicago-based venture Uptake—she is known for her ability to balance strategic vision with a deep attention to detail. Prior to Uptake, Sara spent nine years at IDEO Chicago as Director of the studio’s brand and communication design portfolio, where her award-winning work helped American Red Cross, Brooks Sports, Divvy Bikes, PNC Bank, Redbox, Sherwin-Williams, and Walgreens grow their brands and develop stronger, more meaningful customer relationships. An excellence freak with a wicked sense of humor, Sara is a fearless communicator, sure-footed runner, and no-holds-barred color addict. A long-time vocal advocate for all-things Chicago design, she is honored to have served the last three years as AIGA Chicago’s president.