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Lake Union - 10K
Fundraiser event with friends
Sarah in Kindergarten
Bosanski Brod Croatia
Fundraiser for a Cure
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Sarah was elected to the Vancouver City Council, Seat 6 in November 2019 and took office in January 2020. She was elected to a second term on November 7, 2023. 

 

Sarah has more than 18 years of experience in long-range and current planning, land development, zoning, and economic development and is a nationally certified urban planner. She currently works as the Climate Program Manager for the Washington State Department of Commerce. Prior to urban planning, Sarah worked as a construction cost estimator for her family’s local ornamental metal construction firm. 

Born and raised on Main Street by an entrepreneurial family, her parents operated a small metal fabrication company which Sarah helped to operate in high school and after returning home from serving in the military. She served six years in the U.S. Army, with her last year of service in Bosnia with NATO forces in a combat zone. With the help of the GI Bill, she received her Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Community Development from Portland State University.  

Sarah is passionate about supporting the Vancouver community. She donates her time and construction skills to support nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity and the Pomegranate Center. She supports the preservation of our historic places and structures and served six years on the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. Sarah is an active member of the Honor Guard for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). 

 

Most importantly, as a single mother for the past dozen years, she deeply understands the challenges of balancing family with work, while still contributing to her community.

National Appointment

Current City Council Assignments and Certifications
  • Clark County Children's Justice Center Executive Board

  • Columbia River Economic Development Council Board and Finance Committee

  • Emergency Operations Center representative

  • Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (alternate)

  • Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization Policy Committee (alternate)

  • Association of Washington Cities - Certificate of Municipal Leadership (awarded 2022)

Community Involvement 
  • Honor Guard for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7824

  • Habitat for Humanity

  • Friends of Trees

  • Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts

  • Clark County Historic Preservation Commissioner (2013-2019)

  • President of the Camas Public Employees Association (2012-2018)

  • SW WA Section of the American Planning Association (Current)

Military Service 

U.S. Army Veteran (1991-1997)

  • Basic Training, U.S. Army Fort Jackson, SC (1991)

  • Foreign language training at the Defense Language Institute, Monterey, CA

  • Military Intelligence training at Fort Huachuca, AZ

  • Stationed with the 197th Military Intelligence Battalion at Kelley Barracks, Darmstadt, Germany

  • 82nd Rear Tactical Operation Center, Oregon Army National Guard - deployed within the state during the flood of 1996

  • Deployed with NATO Operation Stabilization Force to Croatia (January-August, 1997)

  • Honorable discharge (November 1997)

BENNY

Benny was adopted in February 2021 after running wild in Hood River County. He was eight months old and one of three in his litter by a mom who was of labrador-pit bull heritage and a dad who was of husky heritage. Until he arrived in Vancouver, he had never been on a leash or used a crosswalk. Those were a few scary first weeks for a country dog. 

 

Benny was raised near Main Street and enjoys visiting with his friends at doggy daycare once a week. For work, he provides his counsel to Sarah during meetings and reminds her to take walking breaks throughout the day. He is an expert at work-life balance.  

 

Benny is a dedicated volunteer within the community and donates his time supporting Friends of Trees by co-piloting in Sarah’s truck. He is also passionate about fitness and is a member of a local trail running group that meets weekly. He is a devoted and protective older brother to another labrador, Maui (b. August 2022),  and a comfort to his 11-year-old sister, a boxer-pit bull named Lilly.

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