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.
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.
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.
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.
Strengths Finder: Strategic, Achiever, Input, Discipline, Communication
DISC Profile: ID
Leadership Beyond the Role
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Led global leadership work and assisted in programming as the women's empowerment program in Ghana was re-established in a new location 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.