Sara Madenwald
Dublin,OH
Summary
Dynamic community relations professional with a proven track record in managing stakeholder engagement initiatives and fostering meaningful partnerships. Expertise in program coordination and development enables effective implementation of strategies that enhance community impact. Committed to driving positive change through collaboration and innovative solutions, with a focus on building lasting relationships that benefit both organizations and the communities served. Passionate about leveraging skills to create sustainable programs that address community needs and promote growth.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Relations & Marketing Coordinator
Geenex
Charlotte, NC
10.2021 - 01.2026
- Community & Government Relations (CGR) Associate, promoted to CGR Manager, promoted to CRM Coordinator
- Collaborated cross-functionally across project teams to drive idea-sharing and maintain consistency in community engagement initiatives
- Proactively identified and escalated risks, proposed actionable solutions to ensure project continuity
- Maintained accurate records and documentation to support organizational accountability and compliance
- Conduct power mapping of community stakeholders to identify key influencers, assess relationships, and inform strategic engagement priorities
- Managed consultant relationships for website management, including work oversight
- Managed timely processing of community relations consultant invoices
- Lead process mapping for community relations event management and SOP development to standardize workflows and improve operational efficiency.
- Planned and executed events, coordinated logistics and stakeholder communication
- Managed and updated website content to ensure accuracy, relevance and brand consistency
- Early-stage developer of utility-scale energy and storage projects.
Executive Assistant/Trustee Liaison/Digital Marketing Specialist
The Nature Conservancy in Ohio
Dublin, OH
04.2010 - 10.2021
- Executive Assistant to the State Director
- Managed complex scheduling, domestic travel arrangements and expense reporting and approvals for state director and direct reports
- Assisted State Director to develop and distribute meeting agendas for high-level engagements with internal stakeholders and external partners, ensuring alignment on priorities and action items
- Provided strategic input on daily operations and long-term initiatives, contributing to informed decision-making at the executive level
- Served as a versatile cross-functional resource, providing operational backup and ad hoc support to staff across departments to maintain continuity and efficiency.
- Trustee Liaison
- Partnered with State Director on Board of Trustees governance, long-term strategy and trustee pipeline development
- Coordinated all aspects of board meetings, including event logistics and field trip programming
- Cultivated and sustained relationships with trustees and vendors to advance organizational priorities
- Designed and produced a quarterly trustee e-newsletter, overseeing content curation and visual presentation
- Completed DEI training and awareness to help create an inclusive, welcoming work environment for board members and staff.
- Tracked and maintained board member records and governance guidelines to ensure compliance and continuity.
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Managed social media accounts for the Ohio chapter, driving brand-consistent content aligned with global Nature Conservancy marketing initiatives.
- Collaborated closely with the global marketing team to ensure consistency in messaging and visual identity across digital marketing materials.
- Developed and executed social media strategy, tracking performance metrics to evaluate success and inform ongoing optimization.
- Created, launched, and analyzed digital ad campaigns and boosted posts to maximize reach and engagement.
- Maintained Ohio Chapter website content with a focus on SEO best practices and user experience.
- Curated and organized photo assets to support content and campaign needs.
- Global environmental non-profit organization with a mission to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends.
Department Lead/Perennial Grower
Millcreek Gardens
Ostrander, OH
03.1999 - 01.2010
- Planned and scheduled perennial crop production, coordinating plant material deliveries and supply logistics while accounting for growth rates, projected sales, and space capacity.
- Directed department-wide plant maintenance operations, developing and managing task schedules to ensure crop health and productivity.
- Delivered multi-channel customer service across in-person consultations, email, phone, and trade shows, providing nursery tours and expert plant care and selection guidance.
- Developed and updated marketing content including weekly plant inventory lists, plant tags, catalog descriptions, and website listings.
- Wholesale plant nursery specializing in high quality perennials and herbs.
Education
B.S. - Horticulture, Natural Resources - Environmental Education, Interpretation and Communications
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OHSkills
- MS Suite
- Salesforce/CRM Software
- Smartsheet
- Wordpress/Wix/Website Management
- Social Media Management
- Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
- Mailchimp
- Process Mapping/SOP creation
- Power Mapping/Research
- Box/Sharepoint/Content Organization
- Canva
Timeline
Community Relations & Marketing Coordinator
Geenex
10.2021 - 01.2026
Executive Assistant/Trustee Liaison/Digital Marketing Specialist
The Nature Conservancy in Ohio
04.2010 - 10.2021
Department Lead/Perennial Grower
Millcreek Gardens
03.1999 - 01.2010
B.S. - Horticulture, Natural Resources - Environmental Education, Interpretation and Communications
The Ohio State University