Sustainable San Mateo County is thrilled to introduce you to its new Executive Director, Sarah Hubbard! After previously serving as the Program Manager for our Sustainability Ideas Bank and Dashboard programs, Sarah welcomes this new role with enthusiasm. Her deep understanding of our programs, priorities, and your concerns make her the perfect fit to guide the organization.
Sarah’s journey as a sustainability and social justice advocate began when she volunteered with the Peace Corps in Uruguay, working on economic development and education projects to enhance the local communities’ quality of life. This life-changing experience set the course for her career, focused on making a positive impact on the world.
After her time in the Peace Corps, Sarah continued to champion sustainability, social justice, and education. As the community education coordinator for a senior advocacy nonprofit, she ensured seniors of all backgrounds and the families that support them had access to health care and insurance. As a project manager for a commercial design firm, Sarah emphasized the importance of sustainable and enduring design solutions. And, as Executive Director of Content and Development for PPI (a publishing company dedicated to advancing the careers of engineers, architects, LEED professionals and others through licensure exam review), Sarah laid the foundation for the company’s growth into new markets and product delivery methods. Her understanding of community needs, experience building relationships, and skill in establishing effective processes are just what SSMC needs to advance our sustainability and advocacy efforts.
Sarah’s dedication to sustainability and social justice is not just evident in her professional journey but also in her active involvement in local chapters of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, San Mateo Climate Action Team, and SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice). She consistently promotes their missions and strives to make a meaningful difference in our community. As a resident of San Mateo County for more than 20 years, she is deeply committed to it as a place where all can thrive.
With a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Design from the University of California, Davis, Sarah brings a strong educational foundation to her role as ED. Beyond her professional and volunteer endeavors, she spends time outdoors with her husband and two children (now young adults), is an avid organic gardener, and enjoys discussing books and movies.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Sarah to discuss her vision for SSMC’s future. She shared, “I envision Sustainable San Mateo County as a catalyst for positive change, particularly in local policy advocacy, both in our community and as a model for sustainable and socially just practices that can be adopted on a broader scale. My focus will be on advancing the impact of our primary programs, ensuring they provide valuable data and solutions that accelerate sustainability and equity in San Mateo County, while actively influencing and advocating for local policies that align with our mission.”
We are thrilled to have Sarah Hubbard leading our organization and look forward to embarking on this journey toward a more sustainable and just future under her guidance.