Sara Brown, Ph.D., CFRE serves as the director of marketing at First Step, Inc. In her role, she oversees the operation of the marketing and development offices as well as assists with event planning and legislative work. She previously served as the director of institutional advancement at Arkansas School for Math, Sciences, and the Arts. She has worked in education for 16 years and has managed non-profit organizations since 2013. She is an advocate for education and for serving others.
Brown is a native of Hot Springs, AR. She holds a B.B.A. in Accounting and a M.B.A. from Henderson State University and earned her Ph.D. in Leadership from the University of Central Arkansas. She was named a Certified Fund Raising Executive by CFRE International. The CFRE designation is the only accredited certification for fundraising professionals and is recognized as the global standard for fundraising professionalism.
Brown is deeply rooted within her community and volunteers in various civic, social, and nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Hot Springs National Park Rotary Club. She is an active member in the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Hot Springs Fifty for the Future, the Oaklawn Foundation Education Committee, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and a graduate of Leadership Hot Springs.
Sara and her husband, Jeremy, have two children, Abby and Zak. She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and traveling.
