A Warm Welcome to Sarah Caruso
Sarah Caruso, the new president and CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way, officially took the helm on November 30. She was kind enough to meet with me to answer a few questions while she’s still getting her sea legs.
- Why did you choose this job (CEO of Greater Twin Cities United Way)?
Sarah: This is a really important job in the Twin Cities because United Way has a tremendous impact across so many parts of the community. To me, both the breadth of the work as well as the depth of the work is profound. I was born in St. Paul, I live in Minneapolis: This is my home, and this is the community I want to be part of strengthening. I saw this as the leadership opportunity of a lifetime.
- What do you want to accomplish as the new CEO?
Sarah: In the near term, support and enhance the incredibly strong work of our volunteers and staff. We’re doing great work during really tough economic times, when the demands and needs have never been higher.
- What about the long term?
Sarah: I’m only beginning to realize the possibilities of where we can go with our rich history, strong leadership, organizational knowledge, and committed donors and volunteers. I think my job in the long term is to create a culture that leads to lasting change in the community that raises our overall quality of life.
- What was your most exciting achievement at the Minnesota Children’s Museum?
Sarah: Developing and growing our leadership in the early childhood community: Both bringing the museum out to the community as well as bringing more of the community into the museum.
- Are you a reader?
Sarah: Yes! I’ve kept a list of the books I read since I was a teenager. Currently, I read about 20 books a year.
- What are some of your favorite books?
Sarah: My favorite business book is Good to Great and the Social Sectors, a monograph by Jim Collins. It focuses on how and why managing a nonprofit is different from a for-profit business. I refer back to it quite often. It’s my foundation as a nonprofit leader.
My favorite fiction book of all time is Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy.
- What newspapers do you read daily?
Sarah: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Star Tribune, and Pioneer Press. We have a big recycling bin.
- What’s your favorite way to relax?
Sarah: Sleep.
- Fruits or vegetables?
Sarah: Both. Maybe a small preference for vegetables.
- What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
Sarah: I’ve been kissed by Michael Jordan.
Thank you, Sarah, for taking time out of your already-busy schedule to talk to me. On behalf of all United Way staff, I would like to say: Welcome aboard!
