Commitment: Sarah supports organizations and leaders in implementing data-driven, prevention-focused strategies to create safer, healthier, and more equitable communities.
Sarah provides results-based consulting that advances equity-centered systems change by connecting communities, organizations, and institutions. She brings expertise in policy, program design, and data-informed strategy to help partners create sustainable solutions that strengthen community safety, equity, and wellbeing.
Sarah envisions communities where inclusive and collaborative leadership creates equitable systems that empower people, nurture youth leadership, and strengthen community safety. She strives to be a trusted partner for leaders seeking data-informed and sustainable strategies that drive meaningful, lasting systems change.
Transforming Communities,
Advancing Systems Change
Sarah Emmert is committed to results-based leadership that drives sustainable social change through strategic partnerships, public policy expertise, and program management. With deep experience in community engagement and systems reform, she bridges the gap between diverse communities and public institutions to foster equity, safety, and well-being.
With a Master’s in Criminology, Law, and Society, Sarah Emmert specializes in guiding complex social change initiatives from design to implementation. Her work centers on public policy, equity, and data-informed solutions, ensuring every project reflects community priorities and best practices.
Over two decades, Sarah has led and supported initiatives that strengthen collaboration between community partners and systems leaders. She is known for her ability to engage culturally diverse stakeholders and drive prevention-focused, sustainable results. Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed principles, racial equity, and community wellbeing, ensuring that systems change efforts promote healing and resilience across communities
For more information, see Sarah's Curriculum Vitae
Results-Based Leadership & Facilitation: Guides collaborative efforts to align around shared outcomes and drive measurable results.
Public Policy & Systems Improvement: Advises on equitable, evidence-based policies and strategies that address root causes.
Strategic Planning & Project Management: Designs and manages initiatives from planning through implementation with measurable impact.
Equity-Centered Change & Community Engagement: Facilitates inclusive processes that bring community voices into decision-making.
Technical Assistance & Capacity Building: Provides coaching, tools, and support to strengthen partner capacity and sustain progress.
Event Design & Coordination: Designs and facilitates convenings and workshops that inspire collaboration, learning, and connection.
Focus Areas:
Strategic Planning and Organizational Assessment: Leads inclusive, data-informed planning processes that align vision, outcomes, and accountability across government, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors. Recent projects include countywide strategic planning, foundation learning collaboratives, and organizational transition support.
Collective Impact and Systems Change: Supports multi-sector initiatives that strengthen equity-centered collaboration, shared measurement, and collective impact. Facilitates cross-organizational learning and design processes that connect community voice with systems leadership.
Youth Development and Leadership: Builds youth–adult partnerships and leadership pipelines through equitable program design, youth advisory councils, and participatory action research.
Community Safety and Justice Reform: Partners with governmental agencies and community organizations to advance prevention and diversion strategies, promote restorative practices, and improve outcomes for youth and families.
Equity, Health, and Wellbeing: Applies trauma-informed and culturally responsive frameworks to strengthen organizational culture, promote belonging, and advance equitable access to health and safety.
Program & Project Management / Strategic Planning: Helps organizations design, launch, and manage initiatives from planning through implementation using structured, results-based processes that deliver measurable outcomes.
Results-Based Facilitation, Leadership Development & Coaching: Facilitates collaborative efforts that align around shared goals and measurable impact. Supports leaders and teams to navigate complexity, move from overwhelm to action, and sustain progress through coaching and reflective practice.
Public Policy & Systems Change Consulting: Partners with organizations and public agencies to advance equitable, prevention-focused approaches that address root causes and inform policy and system design.
Community Engagement & Multi-System Collaboration: Designs inclusive engagement processes that connect community members and system leaders to foster shared ownership and achieve meaningful, culturally responsive change.
Event Planning & Convening Design: Plans and delivers gatherings of all sizes, from workshops to large-scale convenings, that inspire collaboration, spark innovation, and build community connections.
Sarah’s work is guided by six core principles:
Equity-Focused and Culturally Responsive: Tailors strategies to reflect the unique needs, traditions, and values of each community.
Collaborative and Goal-Aligned: Builds partnerships that foster shared accountability and co-create meaningful solutions.
Innovative and Community-Centered: Draws on the wisdom of those most impacted to design relevant, lasting change.
Capacity-Building and Sustainable: Strengthens teams and systems for long-term success beyond any single initiative.
Values-Driven and Integrity-Based: Grounds every project in equity, respect, and integrity to create durable, just outcomes.
Prevention-Focused and Data-Informed: Uses evidence and results-based tools to address root causes and measure progress.
Event Coordination for Santa Cruz County Probation’s Transformations in Juvenile Justice: Reflecting on the Past & Shaping the Future (November 2024)
Technical Assistance for West Marin Fund’s Collaborative Impact Project (2025)
Strategic Planning Retreat Facilitation for Sonoma County’s Progressive Tribal Alliance (February 2025)
DEI Session Facilitation for Temple Beth El (February 2025)
Results Count 101 Workshop Facilitation for Santa Cruz County (March 2025)
Interim Director, Alcance, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County (February-June 2025)
Santa Cruz County Strategic Plan 2018-2024 Foundational Review (March-August 2025)
West Marin Foundation, Collaborative Impact Projects (January 2025 - present)
Santa Cruz County 2026-2032 Strategic Planning Process (September 2025 - present)
United Way of Fresno Madera Strategic Planning Process (September 2025 - present)
Nonprofits & Community Organizations: Supporting mission-driven work with program development, technical assistance, & strategic planning.
Local Governments & Public Institutions: Partnering on policy development, systems reform, & multi-sector initiatives.
Youth-Serving Agencies & Initiatives: Promoting positive youth development & community safety.
Conference & Event Organizers: Planning & implementing events that inspire & connect changemakers.
Are you ready to collaborate for sustainable change? Please contact me to set up a consultation & receive a customized quote.
Email: sarahemmert.consulting@gmail.com
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I also partner with the Impact Launch team.