Expertise

Digital Strategy

Creative Strategy

Content + Communication Strategy

Brand Strategy

Research + Insights

Facilitation + Workshop Design

Project Management

Design Direction

Experience

Principal and Owner

Sara Stump, LLC (formerly Independent Consultant) September 2014 - Present

Founded an independent strategy consulting practice in 2014, maintained alongside and between full-time roles. Formalized as Sara Stump, LLC in 2025. Delivers brand, content, and digital experience strategy for nonprofit, education, and consumer clients. Currently engaged in an ongoing retainer with Episcopal Relief & Development.

Episcopal Relief & Development:

  • Built a digital strategy guide connecting ERD's mission and strategic aims to specific digital experience goals and a roadmap for execution.

  • Led content creation and copywriting for ERD's website relaunch, establishing a new content creation process strategically aligned to audience needs and cross-channel goals.

  • Defined and delivered a measurement strategy and reporting guide.

  • Continue to provide ongoing digital content and UX strategy, translating program priorities for public audiences and optimizing the website to grow engagement and donations.


Past clients including Facing History and Ourselves, Netflix (via BlueInGreen Digital), Artemis Ward, Samsonite, Message Lab, and Design Museum Everywhere:

  • Partnered with executive leaders to align business goals and target audiences, using data and user research to inform brand, content, and digital experience strategy.

  • Facilitated strategy workshops that built stakeholder consensus and trained teams in collaborative, creative processes.

  • Managed end-to-end project delivery, including proposals, contracts, and project plans.

Senior Communications Officer, Content, Campaigns, Digital, and Brand

Gates Foundation, May 2024 - May 2025

Directed strategy, design, and operations for the Gates Foundation's global websites, aligning digital presence with its updated brand and mission.

  • Defined scope, vision, and strategy roadmap for website marketing initiatives, advancing foundation and department priorities while modernizing digital best practices.

  • Championed a data-driven approach to website optimization, using analytics and user testing to inform design, content, and audience journey decisions.

  • Managed agency partnerships and contracts across creative and technical vendors, overseeing a substantial budget.

  • Represented channels on the 25th anniversary "Progress is Possible" campaign team, elevating the foundation's digital storytelling and brand-program integration.

  • Led website UX and content strategy, working with the editorial, creative, program and technical teams to deliver new and updated experiences including enhancing women’s economic opportunity content, updating the Partners of Human Potential user experience, and leading the Patchwork of Progress interactive storytelling project.

  • Managed the foundation's website design system update following the 2025 rebrand, improving brand presence, SEO, and user experience.

Director of Experience Research + Strategy

Echo&Co, December 2022 - January 2024

Led the research and experience strategy practice for a small B-corp digital agency, helping educational nonprofit clients increase engagement and strengthen audience connection through digital content and products. Worked closely with each client’s marketing, content, and technical teams to balance business goals and audiences needs with functional requirements for implementation.

  • Led complex website experience redesigns and content strategy for clients including Facing History and Ourselves, NEA, and Easterseals.

  • Directed brand and audience engagement strategy, aligning mission, programs, and marketing goals.

  • Facilitated strategic and creative workshops with C-suite and senior leaders to foster collaboration and decision-making.

  • Built and scaled Echo&Co's strategy and research practice by creating and launching updated deliverables, expanding the agency’s client-facing capabilities.

  • Recruited and managed a small team of contractors to support client delivery.

Senior Experience Strategist

Velir Studios, January 2018 - May 2021

Directed digital and content strategy for several of Velir's most visible accounts, delivering award-winning website experiences including the Accountable Now campaign, Drexel University's website redesign, and the Institute of Food Technologists website.

  • Built strategic frameworks integrating organizational goals, audience insights, and brand principles for clients including Atrius Health, Harvard Business School, and Drexel University.

  • Fostered a culture of data-informed digital strategy, working cross-functionally with the project management, analytics, design, and development teams to ensure the vision and measurable goals were carried through from design to implementation.

  • Led the strategy for Velir's internal rebrand and contributed to new business pitches, helping win new contracts.

  • Promoted from Digital Strategist to Senior Experience Strategist.

Design Researcher, Student Innovation

Curriculum Associates, November 2015 - August 2017

  • Designed and executed a range of research studies aimed to deepen understanding of the day to day student and teacher experience in U.S. public schools.

  • Created insight reports and recommendations for designing more effective curriculum and digital learning tools.

  • Coached instruction teams through brainstorming and prototyping processes.

  • Managed an associate-level direct report and interns.

Graduate Researcher

FableVision Learning, February 2015 - May 2015

  • Conducted user research and made recommendations for product design improvements to the FabMaker Studio software designed for grades 3-8.

  • Designed activity tutorials for teachers.

Senior Designer + Product Manager

Gemline, October 2007 - September 2014

  • Designed products ranging from sporting goods to fashion accessories for Gemline catalogue and licensed labels such as Igloo, Brookstone, and Isaac Mizrahi.

  • Conducted trend and user research.

  • Granted 2 patents for new design inventions.

  • Provided design direction to junior designers.

  • Previously held positions of Freelance Designer and Industrial Designer.

Designer

Sayles Design, October 2006 - October 2007

  • As a subcontractor for USAID, supported business owners in Panama with design, brand, marketing and product solutions to help expand market reach and increase economic opportunities.

Education

Ed. M. Technology, Innovation and Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
2014–2015

B.F.A. Industrial Design, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
2001–2006

D.I.S. Furniture Design Program, Danish Design School, Copenhagen, Denmark
2004

Volunteer

Board Member, Washington Area Women’s Foundation

Fundraiser for Children’s National Hospital Foundation

Former Board Secretary, Capitol View Park Citizens Association

Former Board Chair of Glovebox, Inc. (arts nonprofit)

Former Vice-Chair of IDSA Boston