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Headshot of Sara Blanco

Sara Blanco

Development Specialist 

Sara Blanco has always been interested in women’s empowerment and became especially passionate about women’s political leadership upon joining the Running Start team in 2012. As a Latina, she's particularly interested in empowering women of color to run for office. Sara is a member of Running Start's leadership team, in addition to her work managing programs and coordinating DEI. She was largely responsible for creating engaging virtual versions of Running Start trainings, resulting in rigorous and fun experiences for participants during the pandemic and beyond.

 

Sara has been invited to speak as a women’s political leadership expert for a variety of programs and events. In addition to addressing the audience of Members of Congress, top DC politicos, businesspeople, and media at Running Start’s annual Young Women to Watch Awards, these include: POLITICO’s Women Rule: The Exchange; “Election 2020: Conclusion” discussion with Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum, alongside distinguished panelists and moderator Morton Kondracke; “How to Run for Local Office” Campfire Chat for several hundred members of the Girl Scout Network, alongside peer women in politics experts and moderator Jean Sinzdak; and a personal favorite, NerdCon, a convention attended by 3,500 creators and fans from the YouTube community and beyond. Sara has facilitated numerous Elect Her workshops across the country, and has also passed along that expertise via facilitator trainings.

 

In 2018, Sara earned a Master of Public Policy at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at the George Washington University, with a focus on Gender Policy. She graduated from Swarthmore College in 2012 with a degree in English Literature and a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. Sara is a member of the Women’s Information Network and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network. She enjoys competitive karaoke and salsa and swing dancing. Sara lives in her beloved hometown, Arlington, Virginia.

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Sara's LinkedIn

Sara's Twitter

Sara in US News and World Report

Sara's Blog Post

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