SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
Sara Nelson
Sara Nelson is a communications strategist with deep expertise in health and social impact work. Her work bridges research, strategy, and execution to support effective, purpose-driven communications.
Hobbies
Meditation, hiking, plants, fostering kittens
Travel Dreams
Menorca, Spain
Favorite Season
Summer
Favorite Food
Vietnamese
About Sara
Sara brings extensive experience guiding health and social impact communications from strategy through execution. Her approach emphasizes thoughtful decision-making and audience insight to support communications that are clear, effective, and purpose-driven. Drawing on experience both advising clients and working in public sector roles, she brings an understanding of the needs and realities on both sides, helping communications move forward effectively.
Sara’s experience spans national, statewide, and local initiatives across behavioral health, public health, and health equity. She has led national marketing efforts for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, guiding strategy, creative development, audience research, testing, and media to support awareness and engagement with crisis services.
She has also directed statewide public health campaigns at the California Department of Public Health, including multilingual COVID-19 and Valley Fever initiatives. In addition, Sara brings an entrepreneurial perspective from running her own consulting firm for more than a decade, where she supported public sector, nonprofit, and private sector clients on health and social impact communications, helping organizations clarify messaging, run campaigns, and develop approaches that are practical and sustainable.
🏆 2025 Silver ADDY Award – National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Ad Series
🏆 2025 Bronze Telly Award – National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Ad Series
🏆 2023 CDC Director’s Award for Moving Forward – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
🏆 2023 CDC Center Director’s Award for Innovation (Nominee) – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
🏆 2021 PHAME Award for Outstanding Achievement – California Department of Public Health
🏆 2021 COVID-19 Response Team Award (Nominee) – California Department of Public Health





