Sarah Swain

Sarah Swain, MSW has extensive experience in program strategy, innovation, and design. Sarah is currently the Managing Director of Program Strategy and Innovation at EMERGE since September 2022. Previously, they worked as the Deputy Director of Innovation & Engagement at Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, where they were responsible for building and overseeing the new Innovation & Engagement subdivision. Sarah also developed a comprehensive program and service portfolio to monitor success and recommend strategic adjustments.

Prior to that, Sarah was the Director of Design & Innovation at BakerRipley, where they oversaw a team and led initiatives to integrate programs, fundraising, and strategy in socioeconomic mobility, health and wellness, and disaster recovery. Sarah also designed and launched new digital skills programming in response to COVID-19.

Sarah's earlier roles at BakerRipley include Assistant Director of Program Design & Learning and Manager of Program Design. In these positions, they led program design projects, coordinated community building efforts, facilitated continuous quality improvement and agency-wide learning, and supported the agency's response to Hurricane Harvey.

Sarah also has experience as an Adjunct Faculty at the University of Houston, Grants & Program Evaluation Manager at Literacy Advance of Houston, Graduate Assistant at the Graduate College of Social Work - Alumni & Career Services, MSW Management Assistance Program Intern at United Way of Greater Houston, MSW Community Programs Intern at Baylor College of Medicine, Student Assistant at Mays Business School Center for Executive Development, and Intern at College Station Head Start.

Sarah Swain received their Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Marketing from Texas A&M University, studying from 2006 to 2010. Sarah then pursued their passion for Social Work and obtained a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston, studying from 2010 to 2012.