about sarah petrin
Sarah Dawn Petrin is an executive leader, global analyst, and professor of national security.
Born in an African village during a season of drought, she has helped refugees since she was 15 years old. From responding to an active shooter in the Capitol of Washington, DC, to being held hostage by a warlord in the Sahara Desert, she has borne witness to the radical acts of heroism that lead to global change.
Sarah is the author of Bring Rain: Helping Humanity in Crisis. In Bring Rain, Sarah invites readers on a journey through 20 countries over 20 years of humanitarian service with the United Nations and Red Cross, and as the founder of the consulting group Protect the People. She shares stories of the people who taught her the rich rewards that come from helping others. Sarah offers us a front-row seat to the action moments from her life, then invites us to find our own way to change the world.
Sarah has held senior positions at the Atlantic Council, Truman National Security Project, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, International Committee of the Red Cross, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, and the United Nations Foundation. She has taught graduate courses at the U.S. Army War College, the former U.S. Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, and is an Adjunct Professor at the U.S. Air Force Global College.
Sarah is available for consulting, writing, and speaking engagements. Contact her for more information.
ConsultING SERVICES
GLOBAL ANALYST
INTERIM EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
TRANSATLANTIC PARTNERSHIPS
DONOR ADVISOR
SPEAKING
TEACHING
WRITING
SPEAKING TOPICS
HOW GLOBAL CHANGE OCCURS
This talk covers the four levels of change that are possible once you set your mind to achieving a vision. It covers how to set reasonable expectations for what you can accomplish when you work toward community, country, and global levels of change.
Be an Everyday Change-maker
Whether you are working overseas to help people in crisis or staying close to home, there is something you can do. This talk will cover how to make a difference as an individual by discovering your path to community and public service.
cultivating personal resilience
How can you be more resilient in a changing world? Being able to cope with changes to your social, economic, and political environment requires stamina. This talk focuses on your personal well-being and mental health. It offers practical tips for preventing burnout and paths to self-care.
building bridges in a divided world
How can we overcome divides? Working with people requires understanding cultural identity. This talk explores how race, religion, gender, language, and nationality shape our personal and social identities. It offers ways to build bridges across divides by recognizing our shared humanity.
purpose-driven leadership
How can you lead with purpose? This talk explores leadership styles, including gender norms and generational differences in leaders. It encourages self-reflection on your leadership style and the most effective model to lead where you are.