Sarah Zambon
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Dynamic public service professional specializing in regulatory compliance and grant management. Proven track record of administering $10 million in grants, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and providing strategic legal guidance.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
Assistant Attorney General
NC Department of Justice
Raleigh, nc
09.2018 - Current
- Represented state in court proceedings and administrative hearings.
- Provided legal advice to state agencies on compliance matters, enhancing understanding of legal obligations and minimizing risks.
- Drafted legal documents for state litigation and administrative hearings to support legal strategies and ensure compliance.
- Reviewed and approved land conservation documents to ensure compliance.
- Administered environmental enhancement grant program, overseeing $2 million in competitive grants.
- Monitored over 80 active grants statewide, managing approximately $10 million in funds.
- Collected and analyzed grant data, including evaluation tool development.
- Designed outreach strategies, increasing grant applications by 300%.
Deputy County Attorney
Henderson County
Hendersonville, NC
09.2006 - 09.2018
- Initiated enforcement actions regarding county ordinances and negotiated settlements.
- Drafted policies to guide land use and zoning practices, promoting sustainable development and community standards.
- Monitored legislation and trends in local ordinances to ensure legal compliance and informed decision-making.
- Researched legal areas to provide timely and relevant guidance for elected officials, board members, and the public.
- Trained staff, county committees, and boards on environmental law and code enforcement.
- Collaborated with state and federal environmental agencies, local organizations, property owners, and developers.
- Drafted, reviewed, and edited proposed ordinances to align with legal standards.
- Prepared contracts, memorandums of understanding, and grant proposals for various projects.
Student Fellow
UNC Center for Civil Rights
Chapel Hill, NC
05.2004 - 02.2005
- Coordinated North Carolina Election Protection campaign, overseeing project design, grant writing, recruitment, training, and media advocacy to enhance voter access.
- Conducted research on North Carolina statutory and common law regarding sovereign immunity and education, and analyzed federal voting rights law to inform legal strategies.
- Supported proposed civil litigation in Virginia on felon disenfranchisement, contributing to efforts aimed at restoring voting rights.
Project Manager and Data Analyst
Center for Poverty Solutions
Baltimore, MD
06.2002 - 06.2003
- Planned and implemented Baltimore’s first comprehensive homeless census for the City of Baltimore.
- Coordinated efforts with community groups, local government, religious organizations, foundations, media, and businesses to support survey initiatives.
- Recruited and trained volunteers for survey projects, enhancing participant engagement and data quality.
- Developed and executed survey study on homelessness and incarceration, resulting in publication Barriers to Stability: Homeless and Incarceration’s Revolving Door in Baltimore City (2002) for Soros Foundation Open Society.
White House Intern
White House Office of Management and Budget
Washington, DC
09.1999 - 08.2000
- Researched federal budget issues for FY00 and FY01, drafting line items on adoption incentives to guide discussions.
- Prepared briefing materials for senior staff, emphasizing financial analysis and trends for informed decision-making.
- Conducted research on economic policies to facilitate sound budgetary choices.
- Analyzed data to pinpoint cost-saving opportunities in government spending, enhancing budget efficiency.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure adherence to budgetary regulations.
- Assisted deputy director and assistant director in assessing budget priorities.
Education
J.D. -
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC05-2006
Masters of Public Policy -
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD05-2003
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
SUNY At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY05-2001
Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Oral advocacy
- Grant management
- Data analysis
- Project management and coordination
- Budget development
- Stakeholder collaboration and communication
- Community outreach
- Research skills
- Strategic thinking
- Leadership skills
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Public speaking
- Training and development
- Work planning and prioritization
Certification
NC Bar License (admitted 2006)
Accomplishments
Citizen Lawyer Award- NC Bar Association
Affiliations
Board Member, UNC Pro Bono Alumni Board-(2024- ongoing)
Timeline
Assistant Attorney General
NC Department of Justice
09.2018 - Current
Deputy County Attorney
Henderson County
09.2006 - 09.2018
Student Fellow
UNC Center for Civil Rights
05.2004 - 02.2005
Project Manager and Data Analyst
Center for Poverty Solutions
06.2002 - 06.2003
White House Intern
White House Office of Management and Budget
09.1999 - 08.2000
J.D. -
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Masters of Public Policy -
Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
SUNY At Geneseo