The Corner: Partner Spotlight
Introducing Sarah Concepcion: A Dedicated Leader with a Passion for Human-Centric Care
Welcome to The Corner, where we virtually sit down with leaders and experts to get to know our partners and colleagues just a little bit more. Meet Sarah Concepcion, an accomplished Senior Director of Policy and Administration at the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.
With a commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals within her community, Sarah's journey has been shaped by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a deep-rooted desire to uphold human dignity in every facet of her work. Currently at the helm of policy and administration, Sarah's professional path was catalyzed during her undergraduate years at Washington and Lee University, where she embarked on a journey towards a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Science. This academic trajectory not only equipped her with a robust foundation in understanding the intricacies of human behavior, but also honed her skills in research design, implementation, and critical analysis. After receiving a B.S. degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences from Washington and Lee University, Sarah moved to Tennessee in 2021 to participate in a nine-month fellowship program, The Chattanooga Fellows, a program focused on the integration of work, civic involvement and faith. As she forges ahead, Sarah remains steadfast in her aspiration to further amplify her skill set and continue her meaningful contributions to the betterment of individuals and communities alike.
Join us as we explore Sarah’s journey of growth, dedication, and an ongoing pursuit of excellence.
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Tell us something we wouldn’t know from social/google search: I am a very competitive board gamer. Nerd alert!!
What was a transformational moment for you: Coming out of college, I made the decision to join a Fellows program, which is a nation-wide fellowship that pursues four basic tenets: finding your vocation, committing to community, exploring your faith, and practicing civic responsibility. This 9-month fellowship grounded me by deepening my faith and my ties to the people and work being done in Chattanooga.
Favorite Book: It's terribly hard to choose just one. Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson is definitely a top contender. I happen to be re-reading it right now.
What is something that people often get wrong about you: To most people, I come across as very put together. The truth is, I am terribly clumsy and likely to injure myself unintentionally!
The last show binged: Legend of Korra
A concert you’ll never forget: At last year's Moon River festival in Chattanooga, a huge storm rolled in and cancelled the Sunday show list. While waiting to hear about the rain delays, I met some random people and we decided to do an escape room together to distract from the wait time. Some might say that being trapped for an hour in a room with random people is a risky move, but it was an incredibly fun experience!
Favorite meal: I decided to transition to a plant-based diet within the last two years. BUT, my favorite guilty-pleasure meal is still meat-based: Filipino Sinigang and Lumpia. (Editor’s note: We highly recommend following our fav Filipino food blogger Vanjo Merano (@panlasangpinoy) on Instagram!)
Favorite vacation: I took a two-week road trip out west with the goal of visiting as many National and State Parks as possible. My friends and I started at Bryce Canyon, then hit Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Horseshoe Bend, The Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Sequoia, Yosemite, Glacier, and the Grand Tetons in one giant loop. We lived out of our car and in our tent, only eating non-perishable foods that could sit in either a bear box or the car in 30- or 110-degree weather. It was a dream and I hope to do it again soon.
Give us a snapshot of a moment in your life that brings you great joy? During the pandemic, my family of six decided to do theme dinners to spice up the time at home. One of our dinners was Clue-themed (like the board game), where we each dressed up and acted as a character from the game. I know that murder mystery dinners are all the rage right now on TikTok, so all I'm saying is that we did it first. But this moment came to mind because I find great joy in being with my family, sharing food together at a table, and being creatively silly.
What is the one thing you’re deeply grateful for right now? I'm thankful for the community that reminds me of my strengths and helps guide me towards growth in my weaknesses.
Get in touch with Sarah here, and be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn.