Meet our Operations and Support Specialist

Sarah Burke

Meet Sarah Burke, our Operations and Support Specialist! Sarah takes care of processing bills and donations, as well as administrative tasks for the organization. Her role is to cement operations processes to help the organization run smoothly. Get to know Sarah below. 

Before joining Mississippi Park Connection, I worked in advertising for the Minnesota Star Tribune in downtown Minneapolis. I had just graduated from Augsburg University with degrees in Communications Studies and English Writing. Like many people fresh out of college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my career. I knew I had an infinite well of passion and four years of schooling under my belt, but I didn’t know where to start. I worked at the Minnesota Star Tribune for a little under three years as I asked myself the big questions: what do I care about? What do I like doing? What am I good at doing?

My biggest takeaway from that time reflecting was that, even though I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, I knew I wanted to work somewhere that was doing the good work and making a kick butt difference in the world. 

Working at Mississippi Park Connection is great because everything I do, even finance reports and processing donations, has a direct impact on the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. My work makes it possible for my colleagues to plant trees, host events, and do habitat restoration. This fills my cup and makes everyday, even the tough ones, a joy. 

My role at Mississippi Park Connection continues to grow and change. While most of my work is financial and administrative, I have learned about grant writing, cybersecurity, event planning, forestry, and so much more. I have used my passion for accessibility to begin connecting with partners on creating an accessibility plan for the organization. This freedom gives me the opportunity to blossom and find what I really love to do. 

If you see me at the office or out at an event, come say hi! I would love to get to know the people who I see donating to the organization or working with us as partners. I will continue to learn more skills and more about this incredible river I am so lucky to help protect.