Sarah Thompson

Sarah manages executive search and recruiting engagements for a range of nonprofit and public sector clients, including Pasadena Community Foundation, the San Diego Symphony, the Port of San Diego, the Conrad Prebys Foundation, and the San Diego Housing Commission. Sarah brings over 20 years of nonprofit experience to the firm, including workforce development, health-focused youth programs, and leadership and talent development.

Prior to joining Blair Search Partners in 2018, she served as the Executive Director of the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation, an organization providing free heart screenings for teens in San Diego. Sarah’s prior leadership roles include Program Director for Athena San Diego and Director of Community Relations for the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Sarah’s community engagement includes serving as past chair of United Way of San Diego County’s Women United, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s San Diego Young Leaders’ Board of Directors, and LEAD San Diego. She was also a two-time finalist for the San Diego Next Top Business Leaders Under 40, as well as a San Diego Business Women of the Year finalist. Sarah also volunteered her time with the Commission for Arts and Culture as a member of the Grant Funding Advisory Panel. Sarah also holds a BA from Oregon State University and an MA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Sarah enjoys all that America’s Finest City has to offer, including exploring the miles of beaches and the trails of Balboa Park. Sarah also spends her free time gardening and creating farm-to-table recipes featuring local ingredients from local artisans.