Sara Abadi: Bringing Purpose and Impact to Marketing and Community Leadership

Title: Director, Demand Generation

Organization: Compass Group

Age: 38

Sara is a marketing leader recognized for setting strategy, aligning organizations, and driving impact. In her professional role, she has transformed marketing and sales alignment, enhancing campaigns, sharpening audience insights, and uniting teams around shared goals. Her leadership has fostered a data-driven culture while delivering strong business results.

Equally important to Sara is her commitment to service and community. For nearly a decade, she has been a leader with the American Cancer Society’s Associate Board of Ambassadors in Chicago, serving in roles including Marketing Director and New Member Chair. She has elevated the board’s profile, expanded digital engagement, and partnered with ACS Illinois to support major fundraising events such as Discovery Ball and Taste of Hope. She currently serves on the leadership committee for Taste of Hope 2026.

A passionate advocate for health equity, Sara focuses on addressing cancer disparities, including the breast cancer mortality gap affecting Hispanic and Latina women. As a woman of Colombian descent and the daughter of a cancer survivor, this work is deeply personal. Each year, she mobilizes her network to raise thousands for cancer research and patient programs, leading with purpose and authenticity.

Sara’s dedication to her work and advocacy extends into her personal life, where she channels the same curiosity and energy into music, traveling, and discovering new restaurants and wine bars. Always on the move, her adventures are fueled by strong coffee—Colombian, of course—and a love of exploring, learning, and connecting with the people around her.