Sarah Hope Marshall - Speaker

Sarah is an inspirational speaker that connects with her audience by weaving actionable lessons and stories with research and theory. She offers presentations and workshops in keynote style and in workshop format. She is an expert in her field, and is passionate about helping professionals and organizations use their experiences, stories, and expertise to live with purpose and make a bigger impact.

Sarah is an accomplished speaker and experienced executive. She brings vast diversity and social impact experience, having spent almost two decades in various forms of community development work. Sarah earned her MBA from North Park University in 2010, and an MLA from the University of Chicago in 2022. Her professional resume includes work in direct service, faith-based organizations, community organizing and social enterprise before becoming involved in economic empowerment work in 2012, when she joined the financial services industry. She also holds teaching experience as an adjunct professor in leadership & management.

Sarah assumed increasing responsibility as a credit union employee until she took over as CEO of a CDFI credit union focused on serving the needs of those experiencing financial crisis or poverty. During her tenure, she regularly participated in consumer advocacy work and served on an advisory committee for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal agency. Sarah currently serves on the Illinois Comptroller’s BankOn Advisory Committee to advance financial inclusion.

Sarah’s perspective as a person living with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare and lifelong metabolic disease, informs her presentations on diversity, equity, and inclusion, leadership, and authenticity. Sarah is an active member of the Biomarin Speaker’s Bureau.

Sarah founded Profound Hope Industries to help financial institutions, social enterprises, and non-profits interested in community development to better connect with their community, align their organizational culture with strategy, analyze and prioritize their DEI efforts, and engage stakeholders. She teaches, speaks and offers trainings on the three systems that lead to high performance and impact.

MICROPHONE
• Order of preference for microphone: 1) Hands free microphone (lapel or country-man mic).
2) Wireless Handheld. 3) Handheld microphone with at least 30 feet of cord.
• Sound System has been tested for proper operation.

STAGE / LIGHTS
• A well-lit stage that is open and empty is preferred. A small podium or side table will be useful.
• If screen for slides is utilized, please position slightly to the right side of the Speaker (facing audience).
• In auditorium setting, please leave the house lights on enough so that Speaker can see the audience from stage. Please ensure any stage lights are not directed in Speaker’s eyes.

SEATING ARRANGEMENT
• Please sit audience directly in front of Speaker in a theater style setting. No seating behind or to the side of Speaker is permitted.
• The audience should be seated as close to the stage as possible.
• For workshops, please have entire audience facing the stage/speaking area if possible. Round tables with audiences facing away from Speaker is not preferred.

RESOURCE TABLE
• Please put a table beside the exit of the room so Speaker can share resources with the audience.
• Please allow for a 15-minute break immediately after presentation so Speaker can interact with audience members.
• OTHER NOTES
• Two bottles of water would be greatly appreciated. Room temperature is preferable.
• Workshop audiences should be limited to approximately 150 students.