We are thrilled to spotlight one of our own in our latest blog! Informatics Digital Marketing Director Sara Kuennen was recently named to the 2024 class of the Corridor Business Journal’s Forty Under 40, an annual award given to young professionals to watch in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Corridor.
Creative, sociable and always ahead of the game, Sara leads our digital marketing teams in developing and executing innovative marketing strategies for our clients. She brings a wealth of marketing, project management and client relations knowledge from over a decade in the industry, and her degree in communications from the University of Iowa.
In a recent chat, Sara shared with us what the Forty Under 40 honor means to her, her path to becoming a key leader at Informatics, and what continues to drive her when it comes to serving clients every day. You can also read her interview with the CBJ here.
Congratulations on being named a Forty Under 40 honoree! What does this recognition mean to you, both personally and professionally?
I am incredibly honored by this recognition, and it has been on my bucket list since joining the Cedar Rapids workforce in 2013. To be nominated by my leaders and mentors is a huge vote of confidence and something I don't take lightly. To be honored by the selection committee means just as much. Both professionally and personally, this recognition reminds me of the work I have put in, but also the people who have helped me get to this point in my career.
What inspired you to pursue a career in marketing, and how did you find your way to where you are now with our firm?
I have always loved the idea of advertising. The creativity and collaboration that goes into formulating a really exciting concept is unmatched. My dad was in marketing and told me as a 12-year-old that he thought the Communications field would be a perfect fit for me—and lo and behold I graduated from The University of Iowa with a BA in Communication Studies!
Shortly after graduation in 2013, I was hired by Informatics to manage social media and I have been able to grow in my role as well as help grow the company ever since.
Marketing is always evolving—what trends are you most excited about right now, and how do you see them impacting our firm’s approach?
The obvious answer is generative AI, because it is allowing marketers to move faster and spend more time on the creative and less on the administrative—something any true marketer strives to do. AI is also pushing us to level up with our quality of work. If a computer can generate a video, we need to generate a video that is 10x better or we need work with AI to make that video the greatest it can be.
What’s something about your job that most people wouldn’t expect or find surprising?
I spend a lot of time on people leadership, which is without a doubt the hardest and most rewarding part of my role. From one-on-ones to general relationship building, I put a tremendous amount of effort into empowering my team, supporting them, and doing my part to grow them. I'm a true believer in surrounding yourself with people smarter than you and I'm proud to say I have a team that I can rely on and that teaches me new things every day.
You juggle a lot of responsibilities here at Informatics and in your home life. How do you stay organized and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Work-life balance is so important to me. I have three small kids and a husband with a non-traditional work schedule. I don't want my kids to look back and think mom or dad were always working. I strive to be as efficient as I can with my workday so I can pick my kids up from school and go home to play, help with homework, and put them to bed each night. I'm Type A so organization comes naturally to me—I enjoy it!
Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far, and what’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from them?
Since I started at Informatics shortly after graduating college and have grown in my career here over the past 11 years, [President and CEO] John Osako has been a consistent influence. He is the leader who has believed in me and challenged me since the day he hired me. I certainly wouldn't be where I am today without his support and mentorship. His mentorship has taught me to challenge the process and ask why, which pushes me to constantly improve and innovate.
If you weren’t in marketing, what other career could you see yourself pursuing?
I changed my mind quite a bit in college when thinking about what I wanted to do after graduation. But two roles that I often considered were public relations and concert management. Speaking of work-life balance, I really wanted a role with Monday to Friday, 8-5 hours, and that dictated what I applied for after graduation.
Outside of work, what are some hobbies or activities you’re passionate about that help you recharge?
I love to travel, read psychological thriller and historical fiction novels (I'm on track to hit my goal of 30 books this year), host friends and family for events and holidays, and go on walks with the family.
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