Sarah joined the Center for Interfaith Relations in 2012 and became Executive Director in 2014. She retired after the 28th festival in November 2024.
Sarah Reed’s chapter of leadership can be characterized by the following values and benchmarks:
- Steadfast commitment to the Mission and Values of the Center for Interfaith Relations
- A warm and welcoming hospitality that has been a signature part of the organization since its inception
- Diverse perspectives included on stage, in the audience, in digital content, and throughout year-round programming:
- Multicultural, multifaith, intergenerational and across socio-economic strata
- Collaboration with festival chair(s) to produce a festival that:
- Served as a trusted space for difficult conversations
- Honored authentic expressions of faith
- Cultivated insight and wisdom
- Elevated traditional practices and contemplative traditions
- Strong interfaith partnerships rooted in mutual respect, interdependence and support
- Creation of a global digital platform that by the end of 2024 featured over 660 videos exceeding 4.2 million views since launch
- Direction of deeply talented teams who were committed to mission and generously gave their best-efforts year after year
- Pioneering of innovative environmental stewardship practices:
- 10 years working with all our venues to offer composting and recycling
- Local sourcing and minority-owned businesses prioritized
- Carbon offsets for travel emissions
- 11 years printing all material with the highest available standards of paper and ink
- Careful fiscal management