Sarah Elizabeth Kirwan, MSPA
Greater Phoenix Area,AZ
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record in consulting and project management, having increased healthcare partnerships by 60% at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Skilled in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, I empower organizations to enhance disability inclusion and accessibility, driving impactful change through effective communication and continuous improvement.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder & Principal
Eye Level Communications, LLC
Remote
01.2017 - Current
- Company Overview: A small, woman- and disability-owned consulting business helping corporations, healthcare systems, government organizations, and nonprofits advance disability inclusion and accessibility with confidence.
- Provides strategic operational support, technical assistance, and coaching and mentoring services.
- Clients and collaborators include Elevance Health, Etsy, Gap Inc., Airbnb, the City & County of Los Angeles, and Disability:IN.
- Creator and host of the Incluse This! Podcast, a movement for disability equity and justice.
Director, Chapter Services & Healthcare Access
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Los Angeles, CA
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: A nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by multiple sclerosis. It funds critical research, advocates for policy change, and provides support and resources for individuals living with MS.
- Trained, supported, and evaluated a team of nine, responsible for implementing and advancing market-specific, nationally aligned health-education programs.
- Streamlined volunteer recruitment by designing an inclusive online volunteer engagement tool.
- Increased healthcare provider and facility partnerships by 60% in six months.
Public Information Officer, Hospital Administrator
LA County
Los Angeles, CA
01.2012 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center is part of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. It is recognized as a leading rehabilitation hospital, providing care for individuals experiencing life-changing injuries and illnesses, such as stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and more.
- Implemented Affordable Care Act (ACA) policies after working in Congress on healthcare legislation that culminated in the passing of the ACA.
- Served as one of 13 members of the Executive Leadership team, providing strategic communications counsel to the CEO and COO.
- Created policies, procedures, and guidelines, and executed the inaugural Strategic Marketing Communications Department.
- Created and deployed the first Employee Satisfaction Survey in 14 years, leveraging relationships, and gaining buy-in to achieve a 54% response rate.
Management Fellow
Chief Executive Office, LA County
Los Angeles, CA
01.2010 - 01.2012
- One of six selected from 3,600 applicants for the fast-track leadership development program.
- Effectively administered county exams, resulting in more than 100 individuals for potential positions.
- Streamlined onboarding processes and directed county-wide process improvements.
- Facilitated the annual budget process for Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.
Legislative Fellow
The Panetta Institute for Public Policy
Washington, DC, USA
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Sole individual selected from California State University, Los Angeles.
- Conducted healthcare policy and financial regulatory reform research.
- Communicated high-level overviews of each to congressional offices.
- Attended and briefed Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) on committee and Congressional hearings for healthcare legislation.
Program Representative
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Provided full-cycle services for faculty, staff, and leadership across departments.
- Acted as a liaison to the UC Regents Office, the UC Office of the President, and the Chancellor’s Office.
- Consulted on academic, social, business, and diplomatic protocols.
- Managed ceremonies of campus-wide significance, including high-profile dignitary visits, including Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism & Mass Communications, and English
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA01.2000
Master of Science - Public Administration
California State University
Los Angeles, CA01.2010
Anti-Bias -
Morehouse College
01.2021
Executive Healthcare Policy -
Hospital Association of Southern California
01.2013
Policy & Leadership Preparation -
Healthcare Executives of Southern California
01.2013
Leadership, Public Policy, & Public Service -
The Panetta Institute for Public Policy
01.2009
Skills
- Consulting and Project Management
- Strategic Planning and Operations
- Aligning Internal and external communications and messaging
- Professional Learning and Development
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Continuous improvement
- Problem-solving abilities
- Effective communicator and public speaker
Selected Presentations
- Only Those with Underlying Health Conditions: COVID-19 and Disability., Workshop Presenter, National Alliance on Mental Illness, 06/14/22 - 06/16/22, Virtual
- Identity Beyond Disability: An Intersectional Approach., Workshop Presenter, DisABILITY Summit. Michigan Diversity Council, 10/26/21, Virtual
- The Workforce of the Future and Accessible Technology., Moderator, Accessible Conference of Technology. LIKE Ventures, 10/14/21, Virtual
- Effective Disability Communications., Keynote Speaker, Fall In-Service: Therapeutic Recreation Staff, 09/12/19, City of Carson, CA
- Understanding Inclusion in Community Recreation., Workshop Presenter, Summer In-Service: Therapeutic Recreation Staff, 09/12/19, City of Carson, CA
- Understanding Inclusion in Campus Recreation., Workshop Presenter, NIRSA 2019 Annual California State Workshop, 08/08/19 - 08/09/19, San Jose State University, CA
- Disability 101., Training Facilitator, Summer In-Service: Therapeutic Recreation Staff, 05/18/19
Development
- Society for Human Resource Management, Employing Abilities at Work Program, 01/01/22 - 12/31/23
- Cornell University, Corporate Sustainability: Moving Beyond PR to a Cohesive Corporate Culture, 01/01/22 - 12/31/22
- National Alliance on Mental Illness, Help Not Handcuffs, 01/01/22 - 12/31/22
Timeline
Founder & Principal
Eye Level Communications, LLC
01.2017 - Current
Director, Chapter Services & Healthcare Access
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
01.2016 - 01.2017
Public Information Officer, Hospital Administrator
LA County
01.2012 - 01.2017
Management Fellow
Chief Executive Office, LA County
01.2010 - 01.2012
Legislative Fellow
The Panetta Institute for Public Policy
01.2009 - 01.2010
Program Representative
UCLA
01.2007 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism & Mass Communications, and English
University of Iowa
Master of Science - Public Administration
California State University
Anti-Bias -
Morehouse College
Executive Healthcare Policy -
Hospital Association of Southern California
Policy & Leadership Preparation -
Healthcare Executives of Southern California
Leadership, Public Policy, & Public Service -
The Panetta Institute for Public Policy
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