I’m Sarah Rodman, PhD, MPH -
a strategist and executive leader who brings clarity, care, and systems thinking to complex challenges.

With deep experience across public health, philanthropy, and higher education, I help mission-driven organizations turn values into action, align strategy with impact, and lead with integrity through change.

I build strong systems—and even stronger relationships.

I’m based in Los Angeles, where I was born and raised. I have also lived in Chicago, New York and Baltimore.
I have worked on projects in the United States, India, and ten countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Every place and every culture has strengths in how they approach health.

My career began at the intersection of healthcare, global health, philanthropy, and systems change—an early window into the scale and nuance required to lead with impact.

Since then, I’ve held executive roles in higher education, built equity-centered public health programs that have reached tens of thousands, and advised national nonprofits, universities, and cross-sector coalitions on how to lead through complexity with focus and care.

Across every chapter, I’ve worked to strengthen the connective tissue between vision and implementation—helping institutions build strategies, cultures, and systems that are not only effective, but equitable, human, and built to last.

Strategic Leadership with Heart

I bring nearly two decades of experience leading complex, equity-focused initiatives across public health, philanthropy, and higher education. Whether I’m launching a multimillion-dollar center or guiding an institution through change, I lead with clarity, care, and a steady hand—always aligning big-picture vision with actionable strategy.

Equity in Action

Equity isn’t just a value I name—it’s a practice I build. From designing culturally responsive health programs to embedding DEIB+ principles into grantmaking infrastructure, I help organizations operationalize justice in real, measurable ways that center community, sustainability, and integrity. I’m also a published author and thought leader on health equity, with work that bridges research, policy, and practice to advance systemic change.

Bridge-Builder Across Sectors

I translate across disciplines, roles, and priorities—connecting executive leaders, community partners, researchers, and funders around shared goals. As a trained mediator and qualitative researcher, I know how to hold complexity, listen deeply, and create alignment where others see friction.

I’m drawn to bold, values-driven organizations that are ready to align their vision with meaningful, measurable impact. I bring the experience to navigate complexity, the discernment to lead with integrity, and the adaptability to meet this moment—with all its urgency, possibility, and change. Whether you need a strategic partner, a systems thinker, or a steady hand at the helm, I bring the clarity, collaboration, and conviction to help move your mission forward.