Talent Spotlight
The faces of TERI Common Grounds Café
Our success and growth wouldn't be possible without the gifted people we employ, and we have some of the very best. We invite you to meet some of the faces behind our achievements!
Hello, my name is Sara
INCLUSIVE FACILITATOR
Introducing Sara Blakely, our dedicated Volunteer Coordinator whose passion for meaningful causes naturally led her to our Campus and Café. With a talent for fostering collaborations that yield mutual gains, Sara orchestrates connections between individuals and projects with finesse.
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We asked Sara a few questions to get to know her better:
Who or what brought you to TERI?
I found the TERI Campus of Life when I attended the Gather & Grow event! My family and I had just moved back to north county San Diego from Ventura. I wanted to connect with other moms, and ended up becoming a Volunteer Coordinator for the Campus of Life!
Who inspired you to pursue the position you have today?
I was previously a Store Manager at REI, and worked with several environmental nonprofits on the side, helping coordinate volunteers for fundraisers and doing trail restoration projects. I've been volunteering for causes I care about my entire life. I have a 2 year old son who has Down Syndrome, and I wanted to find a way to contribute to the disability community in a meaningful way.
How would you evaluate success as a volunteer coordinator?
Volunteering is a two-way street, the organization and the volunteer should both benefit! So I would say being able to place people in volunteer positions where they are making valuable contributions, and where they are able feel that they are valued and get something out of it as well - whether that is some sense of fulfillment, a change of perspective, new relationships, or new experiences.
What do you look for in a volunteer?
Willingness to jump in wherever they are needed, reliability, and a positive attitude!
What's one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to find out?
I have solo traveled abroad several times in my life, both in Europe and Central America.
What is one thing that you have on your bucket list?
I would love to get good at sailing and take some trips on a sailboat. So far I've taken an intro class with my husband but I need a lot more experience!