Sara Hewitt Email & Phone Number

Faribault, MN, US

Kilkenny, Minnesota

• Oversee the direct selling of premium beef, lamb, honey, fresh produce and flowers.
• Manage all aspects of our farm's finances including budgeting, record-keeping and accounting.
• Lead our farm's brand development and online presence including social media platforms, website, e-newsletters and sponsorships.
• Serve on several agricultural boards including the MN Ag and Rural Leadership (MARL) and Institute for Regenerative Resources and AgriSciences (IRRA) boards to advance agriculture in Minnesota.

• Develop and execute comprehensive communications and marketing strategies for 19 International Truck and 3 International Bus locations across four states.
• Spearhead the creation of a dynamic and multi-faceted digital marketing strategy utilizing KPI reporting and Google Analytics.
• Implement parent company brand guidelines at the dealership level for consistent messaging and visual identity.
• Manage crisis communications during the acquisition of a new business entity while engaging external and internal stakeholders.
• Empower the sales, parts and service teams with marketing tools to exceed customer expectations throughout the purchasing process at NCI.
• Implement the development of a blog, podcast and email marketing strategy.

St. Peter, Minnesota

• Led and managed an adult educational leadership program including: recruitment, program design, communications and day-to-day operations.
• Collaborated closely with a diverse board to develop a strategic plan for leadership education programming and the implementation of the board's vision for the program.
• Developed and executed a comprehensive marketing and communications plan for program recruitment, stakeholder communications and community engagement across a wide range of digital and traditional communication.
• Managed fundraising campaigns while maintaining responsibility for overseeing the 501c3 non-profit status.

Mankato, Minnesota, United States

• Ag Management Solutions is an independent full-scale marketing, communications and operations firm working on behalf of a variety of agricultural clients including: Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, Minnesota.
• Developed and implemented strategic planning and visions for partnership development and engagement to drive the mission of the organization forward.
• Fostered a collaborative team environment to execute cutting-edge branding, marketing, and communications campaigns for clients in the agriculture sector.
• Directed a team of 4 across Minnesota to create trailblazing check-off funded programs through grass-roots county associations while monitoring program budgets.
• Spearheaded the expansion and creation of large-scale state and national industry events through innovative sessions, strategic partnerships, virtual technologies and elevated marketing efforts while executing all.
• Carried out and coordinated policy advocacy plans on behalf of Executive Director while directing farmer-led committees to respond to legislative and regulatory opportunities and threats.

Mankato, Minnesota

• Served as liaison, bridging a gap between industry and Minnesota's 27,000 soybean farmers, on crucial issues such as: herbicide application, seed genetic events, data technology transfer, and environmental affairs.
• Strategically planned and executed multiple industry events including MN AG EXPO, Biodiesel Open, MSR&PC Researcher/Grower Retreat, Spill the Beans Webinar series and more.
• Developed comprehensive adult educational programming for all industry-related events while collaborating with industry for licensing, credentialing and CEU's requirements.
• Led farmer industry advisory board to help advance the mission of MSR&PC and MSGA in key areas of soybean education and promotion.
• Played a role in guiding the Drift Task Force with our Director of Production Research to foster education and industry messaging around vital issues such as dicamba, LLGT27 and neonics.
• Cultivated sales and sponsorship partnerships that advanced the mission of MSGA while creating new streams of revenue.

Mankato, Minnesota

North Mankato, MN

• Built extensive relationships across the agriculture industry to provide real-time feedback on industry employment and educational needs to guide future curriculum development and program creation.
• Worked directly with external and internal stakeholders to develop mission and vision of the Center during establishment phase.
• Advocated for legislative appropriations to create new programming and increase dedicated funding for Center.
• Developed and executed programming, camps and curriculum for high school students, collegiate students, and educational professionals.
• Created all branding, marketing, communications and public relations materials, print and digital assets, and events.

Faribault, Minnesota

• Held positions on multiple boards regarding health & wellness within the Rice County area.
• Directed marketing, communications and event management for health and wellness initiatives.
• Coordinated logistics of wellness screenings throughout Rice County.
• Developed and implemented community-wide and hospital-wide programming such as the Heritage Hustle 5K and Wellness Wednesdays.
• Completed patient registration across various hospital departments including: inpatient, outpatient, surgery center, cancer center and the women's health unit.
• Developed streamlined pre-registration processes, contributing to the implementation of lean processing within the office.

Mankato, Minnesota

• Designed, edited and published the Sport Management Insider (2013 & 2013)
• Authored and published monthly newsletter, The Maverick Minute
• Developed sponsorship proposals and secured partnerships for major events such as The Scholarship BBQ and Dinner of Distinction.
• Maintained the departments online presence through social platforms including Facebook, Twitter nad LinkedIn as well as the department website.
• Supported administrative functions as the Secretary for the Sport Management Club.
• Served as the undergraduate representative, offering a student perspective to discussions, on the Sport Management Advisory Board.

Certificate, Advertising And Marketing Communications Strategy

Master Of Science (M.S.), Agricultural Education & Communication

Certificate, Marl - Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership

Activities and Societies: Graduation Banquet Auction Committee Chair - helped organize & coordinate both silent and live auctions raising.

Certificate, Connecting Nicollet County

Connecting Nicollet county is a leadership program that connects people, creates awareness of resources, and builds leadership throughout.

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Sport Management & Marketing

Activities and Societies: Sigma Sigma Sigma-Epsilon Rho, Order of Omega, National Honor Society of Leadership & Success and Sport.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English Literature & Creative Writing