Up Close and Personal: Getting to Know Sarah Black, Senior Marketing Specialist at the Society for Human Resource Management

Capitol Communicator is running a series featuring profiles of communicators in the mid-Atlantic.  In this “up close and personal” profile, we feature Sarah Black. Photography for the “up close and personal” series is by Cade Martin; wardrobe styling by Pascale Lemaire for THE Artist Agency; and hair and makeup by Patti D Nelson and Janice Kinigopoulos for THE Artist Agency.

Sarah, please provide a short bio.

I’m a senior marketing specialist at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Aside from a short stint in Southwest Virginia for college, I’ve been a D.C.-area lifer thus far. I’ve been in the marketing and communications field in the nonprofit sector for about seven years doing copywriting, drinking coffee, designing emails, understanding your vision and everything in between.

Are you involved in any other organizations?

I write about restaurants and bars for a D.C. real estate blog, MacDonald/Becker. I also used to teach English to Afghan refugees through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington. From that experience, I learned a lot about how much we all have in common as human beings, despite what end of the earth we come from, how much money we have or even what language we speak.

What are the things you are most proud of?

I have a lot of funny, smart and thoughtful people in my life and I’m probably most proud of that. There is nothing better for the soul than being around people who “get” you, and whom you can safely be weird around.

Also, my taxidermy collection.

Who were your personal role models?

My old boss and one of the smartest people I know, Jeff Wilson, is a great leader who always shares more of the credit than he should for successes.

I read a great article recently in The New York Times titled “The Moral Bucket List.” It’s about how resume virtues are what make you valuable to an employer, but eulogy virtues are the ones talked about at your funeral. I’m most inspired personally by people who demonstrate both sets of virtues.

Did your role models offer professional advice that helped you in your career?

I’ve been encouraged by mentors to be more confident with my ideas and opinions and to speak up more frequently. I’ve also been reminded of the importance of face-to-face interactions in the workplace. Sometimes email isn’t the best medium, and I think my generation especially has a tendency to lean on electronic communication too often.

What professional advice do you have for others?

-Everyone’s a genius until they try to use someone else’s shower.

-Find a boss who you really like – a strong leader who you can look up to –  someone who would never cook fish in the break room or tell you about the dream they had last night – and learn as much as you can from that person.

-Take risks in pursuit of things that interest you.

What advice do you have on what’s appropriate attire at SHRM?

When left to my own devices, I dress like I’m here to service your aquarium. Okay, to be fair, Tina Fey first said that in her book, Bossypants. But it really hit home for me.

I enjoy being extremely comfortable. But even more than that, I enjoy feeling good about myself. So my advice to myself and to others is suck it up and put yourself together. Because when I look my best, I feel more confident.

Where do you buy most of the clothes you wear to the office?

Madewell, Zara and, my home away from home, Nordstrom Rack.

Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

I don’t actually have a taxidermy collection.