Sarah Hempen
Vice President, Search

Based in Tampa

“It is so rewarding to connect talented individuals with organizations that match their passion for mission. Seeing the contributions they bring to the organization and impact the opportunity has on their family is so rewarding!”
— Sarah

  • A seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in leadership, Sarah serves as the Vice President, Search for Bryant Group. Sarah brings experience in the nonprofit and public sectors to her role. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about building relationships, creating solutions and improving processes. Developing long-term relationships with donors and volunteers has been a rewarding aspect in her career. She is delighted to engage in long-term relationships with clients, providing consultation to advance leadership in their organizations.

    Sarah serves as consultant on searches for higher education, healthcare and nonprofit clients, in addition to leading the search team. She joined Bryant Group in 2021 as a recruiter and quickly advanced into a full-time role leading searches prior to being asked to lead the search line.

    Having served both public and private universities, she has successfully developed and led Annual Giving teams that consistently exceeded goals and created new revenue channels focused on building a pipeline for major gifts. During her time at University of South Florida, she implemented an in-house crowdfunding platform, a young alumni program, and leadership annual giving.

    Sarah spent 14 years at Washington University in St. Louis in progressively higher roles in the areas of DIII athletics development, managing a regional team, leading volunteer solicitation teams, and ensuring success for a $21M annual fund.

    Sarah believes in philanthropy through relationships and highly values continued relationships with donors and colleagues throughout her career. Sarah has led teams in achieving 12 CASE awards and presented at CASE District III.

    Prior to entering higher-education advancement, Sarah was responsible for public relations for two drivers and their corporate sponsors in NASCAR.

    Sarah has a B.A. in Journalism from Elon University.

  • RECRUIT | Executive Search

  • Island Paws Party, Attendee and Donor

    Tampa Humane Society, Donor

    Feeding Tampa Bay, Donor

    America's Vet Dogs, Donor

    ASPCA, Donor

    Paws for a Cause, Past Donor

    Open Door Animal Shelter, Past Donor

    Dent County Animal Welfare Society, Past donor

    Washington University in St. Louis, Past donor

    University of South Florida, Past donor