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Sarah Kirsch
Mission-driven leader focused on housing affordability for all Atlantans
Sarah Kirsch is a mission-driven leader with a focus on community development and public policy. She excels in bringing together diverse stakeholders to achieve consensus and actionable results. With a strong background in operations and development, she is an excellent communicator and strategic thinker.
Sarah studied a diverse range of subjects including Public Policy, Economics, Policy, and Religion at Duke University, completing an AB degree. Prior to her time at Duke, she attended North Atlanta High School, demonstrating a dedication to education.
Highlights
It has been a remarkable two years as a Commissioner of Atlanta Housing. Our board and leadership are committed to continuous improvement in service of our mission to produce and preserve affordable housing, with the long view toward thriving communities. We know safe, stable housing is a bedrock for families and I am so proud of the urgency, professionalism, and transparency with which this organization is moving. This group project is alive and well! Terri Lee Larry Stewart Andre Dickens Duriya Farooqui Alan Ferguson, Sr., Ph.D. Doug Hooker
I always enjoy these interviews that I admittedly would not watch but for my husband. And that is the rub. This one in particular struck me as there has been a theme in conversations and in my work over the last few months about women, their relationship with money, their access to capital and the rooms/ conversations that they think they belong in and that others tell them they belong in.
Here Sallie Krawsheck talks about how women are more philanthropic and are more interested in impact investing than men. Investing in women builds stronger communities. Fascinating for my work. But she also talks about how investment in general is not designed with women in mind. There is a probably a whole series somewhere on socialization that breaks this down.
The week I was watching this was my youngest child’s last day of 7th grade and I had this memory of it being my last day of 7th grade and my pre-algebra teacher stepping in front of me on my way out the door. She pulled me aside and said, “When you walked in my class, I thought you were just another dumb blonde. But you are not. You are really smart. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different.” There is so much wrapped in those short sentences but even now I laugh because 35 years later I am still having to tell people that I am actually pretty good at math.
Economic empowerment and economic power. Women making less but living longer. Investing for goals and outcomes. Women investing more creates more positive community benefits. All fascinating stuff.
