Sarah Cords
Hello. I’m a brand and growth leader who brings clarity, momentum, and accountability to complex marketing challenges. I work at the intersection of brand strategy, demand generation, and leadership development—helping organizations align around what matters most and execute with purpose.
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I lead with empathy and discipline, balancing strong relationships with high standards—because strategy only works when people believe in it and know how to act on it.
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My career has been shaped by leading teams through growth, change, and ambiguity—often stepping in when organizations need focus, alignment, or a reset. I partner closely with executive teams to reposition brands, modernize go-to-market strategies, and build marketing engines that drive measurable revenue impact.
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Leadership & Highlights
My leadership style is grounded in both formal training and lived experience. I’m a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator, informed by Brené Brown’s research on courageous leadership, trust, and accountability. I’m also a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), which shapes how I develop leaders, navigate complexity, and coach teams through change. Complementing this, I hold an Inbound Certification from HubSpot Academy, reinforcing my ability to connect brand and demand strategies with modern, data-driven execution.
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Strengths Finder: Strategic, Achiever, Input, Discipline, Communication
DISC Profile: ID
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Leadership Beyond the Role
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Led global leadership work and assisted in established women's empowerment program in Ghana in 2019
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Served as President of the Women’s Fund of CMCF and held multiple board leadership roles over a decade with the organization
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Served as President and board member of the Forum of Executive Women for over a decade, and led the premier fundraising event for three years that generated almost $700,000 each year
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Active mentor and advisor to emerging leaders and nonprofit organizations
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Taught Intro to Marketing classes at the St. Cloud Technical College, 2020-2023
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Passionate about travel, reading, baking bread, hiking, boating, family, and weekends at our MN lake cabin in the summers
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I have a husband, two daughters, three chihuahuas, and a reclusive cat
Success Highlights
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Architected brand, content, and communications frameworks that drove $21M in new pipeline within six months
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Introduced AI-enabled marketing systems (HubSpot AI, predictive analytics, and content automation) to improve efficiency, performance tracking, and creative velocity
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Repositioned brands for up-market growth, achieving consistent double-digit year-over-year revenue increases
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Designed and implemented company vision, core values, and strategic planning frameworks to align cross-functional teams for long-term scale
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Built and scaled integrated PR and marketing strategies, resulting in significant earned media placements and expanded national visibility
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Led executive brand and thought leadership campaigns with national and industry media coverage
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Recognized as Chief Marketer Agency of the Year (2024) and contributed to three consecutive Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Company awards
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Oversee 80% of company revenue, maintain an unprecedented client NPS of 95 YoY, and reduced client churn by 20% in two years
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Designed and implemented department incentive program in 2026
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Established the Business Development department, creating the commission and bonus structure for various roles
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Established systems, processes, rebrand, and marketing GTM that took a manufacturing company from $17 million in annual revenue to $50 million in annual revenue. This included processes across the CRM, sales, proposal generation, lead generation, marketing strategy, and more.
Strengths
Executive-level strategy skills built to drive clarity, alignment, and growth across complex organizations. I operate at the intersection of brand, product, marketing, and leadership to turn ambiguity into direction and strategy into action.
Enterprise Strategy & Market Perspective
I bring an enterprise-level view to strategic decision-making, grounded in market dynamics, customer insight, and business priorities. My approach helps leadership teams clarify direction, assess opportunity, and make informed choices that balance near-term performance with long-term growth.
Growth Strategy & Revenue Alignment
I align brand, marketing, and commercial teams around a cohesive growth strategy. By connecting go-to-market planning, demand generation, and performance measurement, I help organizations drive accountability, improve execution, and deliver sustained revenue impact.
Executive Leadership & Strategic Execution
I translate strategy into action by creating clarity, focus, and momentum across teams. Through strong cross-functional leadership and disciplined execution, I help organizations navigate change, prioritize effectively, and move complex initiatives forward with confidence.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.