Sara Ali

Sara Ali has a diverse range of work experience in various industries. Sara started their career as a Multimedia Development Lab Manager at Whitman College, where they provided technical support to students and managed staff. Sara then worked as a Web Designer at Walla Walla Web Weavers, handling project management, UX/content strategy, and front-end development. Sara then joined the YWCA of Walla Walla as a Communications Coordinator, where they developed strategic goals, drove brand awareness, and designed marketing materials.

Sara then transitioned to Pyramid Communications, first as a Business Development Associate, where they managed marketing projects and tracked key performance indicators. Later, they became a Marketing Manager, leading the organization's rebrand, website redesign, and CRM implementation.

Sara's passion for digital inclusion led their to work at Free Geek as a Digital Inclusion Manager and later as an NTEN/Google Fiber Digital Inclusion Fellow. In these roles, they developed and oversaw community programs, increased educational offerings, and formed partnerships with organizations like Multnomah County Library.

Sara continued to pursue their interests in research and academia with positions at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As a Research Assistant, they worked on a digital textbook project and assisted with editing and publication. In their role as a Graduate Assistant, they contributed to the development and maintenance of the university's research information management system.

Most recently, Sara joined Multnomah County as a Digital Access Coordinator, where they focused on increasing broadband access and affordability. Sara developed and executed complex project plans, analyzed various broadband connectivity datasets, and collaborated with stakeholders across agencies.

Currently, Sara is a Business Intelligence Analyst at Ookla, a company known for offering the internet speed testing service, speedtest.net. In this role, they contribute to Ookla's mission of measuring, understanding, and improving connected experiences.

Sara Ali holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics with Honors, Cum Laude from Whitman College. Sara has also completed their Master of Science degree in Library & Information Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Additionally, Sara has obtained a certification as a Certified Instructor in Software Carpentry & Library Carpentry from The Carpentries, which they obtained in January 2020.