Sarah Ward, Vice President, HR Operations, NBCUniversal

Sarah Ward is a Vice President of HR Operations at NBCUniversal where she currently oversees large-scale global HR projects which have included the HR integrations for acquisitions and mergers of properties such as Dreamworks and Sky. She has spent many years managing the NBCUniversal Core HRIS team that diligently works to ensure HR processes and systems effectively meet ever-changing business requirements.

Sarah started her journey with NBCUniversal when the company was purchased by Comcast from GE in 2010.  She was brought on to help migrate the HR data and lifecycle processes from GE to the newly independent NBCUniversal systems. Prior to NBCUniversal, Sarah worked for Accenture as a consultant focusing on SAP-based HRIS implementations. She was hired by Accenture directly out of Michigan State University where she earned her BA in Economics.

Full disclosure, Sarah was my boss for several years and she remains my friend and mentor for life. In fact, I’ve let her know that she will have a very difficult time getting rid of me in this lifetime.  I think she’s acquiesced to that fate. In all seriousness, working for Sarah is the time I credit for being the most I’ve ever grown professionally at any role. I blame her. She showed me what a boss lady should be like. 

Sarah is a hard woman to miss in a crowd. She’s tall, blonde, gorgeous, and always looks impeccably styled.  She has a confident grace about her that makes you want to be on her team, friends with her, or simply in her proximity. Sarah has spent her career successfully leading teams in transforming HR systems and functions. She has built a reputation for being a take-charge leader who can effectively drive challenging organizational initiatives with agility and competence.

She never feigns to know everything, but you always believe in her absolute ability to figure out the answers.   She taught me to always come to her, or anyone really, not with just the issue at hand but with a possible solution. She exemplifies how important preparation is to success. Sarah prioritizes self-care for keeping her balanced and credits Peloton and barre classes for keeping her fit. Did I also mention she has the best skin I’ve ever seen? There is a very good chance I’ve booked numerous appointments after hearing her mention a new salon and spa. Sadly, my skin never quite looks like hers. 

If I could sum up Sarah in three words it would be grace, confidence, and charisma. She’s balancing a successful, busy career with a dedication to self-care and being the best version of herself.  She’s a wife and a mother to her two beautiful babes, Henry and Vivianne.  She is an inspirational mentor to women and a loyal friend. Sarah is a Woo Woo Working Woman.

The Interview

Woo Woo Working Women

What is your secret to living a high-vibrancy life?

Always taking time to recharge myself. I need to set aside at least 30 minutes per day to do something physically active (spin/run/walk/barre). This gives me the ability to give my time and energy to my family, friends and work.

Who is a woo-woo working woman that you admire and why?

There are many women that I currently work with and admire but I think the woman I admire most is someone who I never worked with. That would be my grandmother. She was the head of HR for our local credit union from the 70s through the 90s and rose through the ranks while taking care of her family because her husband could not work due to health issues. She was a role model to me from a very young age seeing a woman in a leadership role and being respected by her team and colleagues.

How do you balance work, wellness, and spirituality?

I am very schedule and list-driven. I need to have a full picture of what I want to accomplish in a week/month/year. This allows me to keep balance and limit confusion or questioning of what I need to accomplish during the day.

Was there any one significant event that moved you onto the path of becoming the woman you are today?

I don't think there was one specific event but probably after graduating college when I decided to go into consulting on a whim really put me on the path that I am on today. It got me out of the town I grew up in, showed me how to live and work completely on my own, and gave me a lot of confidence in my work abilities.

Personal mantra?

Be kind, listen, and be on time.

What is the best professional feedback you’ve ever received?

Speak like you know what you’re talking about but always admit when you're wrong.

Are there any professional skills or life behaviors you wish you’d developed or learned earlier that are essential to your success now?

I think there are always things you wish you knew earlier but I believe that when you make mistakes or get negative feedback it helps you grow into the person you are today so I wouldn't change anything.

How do you handle new projects or initiatives that you haven’t had experience handling before?

I always try to bring in people who have experiences that I don't have. Also, I get the opinions of people who I trust.

What is one thing someone who works for you can do to really impress you?

Take notes during meetings, ask follow-up questions and never come to me with an issue, but come up with possible solutions.

On the flip side, what can someone who works with you do to lose your confidence?

Unpreparedness is my biggest pet peeve. Also, if someone doesn't take accountability for a mistake.

How does a woman find professional mentors that align with her purpose and values?

I think it's through trial and error. Being open to a relationship of a mentor is the same as being open to a romantic relationship and there needs to be a natural connection as well as an alignment of values.

Any secrets to confidence in the workplace?

Knowing when to listen and when to speak up is important to allow your confidence to grow. Listen and understand the natural dynamics of the workplace, find how you can fit in, and add to the conversations and meetings. Learn from all the people around you.

What are three attributes that you believe have supported you in having a successful career?

Being organized, rational, and empathetic.

What would the title of your autobiography be?

From Midwest to Midtown

I always wanted to learn more about__________?

Astrophysics.

In my free time, when I have any, you can usually find me __________.

Listening to a podcast or audiobook

Most people don’t know that I really enjoy_________?

Golfing.

How do you reset after a challenging day?

I like to go for a long run or spin.

Favorite motivational Instagram account, podcasts, and/or books?

I have been mainly listening to political podcasts and books these days but I have always loved Kahili Gibran for more spiritual poems and stories that allow me to escape and calm my mind.

Go to sites for shopping and lifestyle?

Hampden, Jennifer Fisher, Rachelle Hruska

Advice to the Woo🖤Wooo Working Women out there figuring out how to live their best high-vibrancy life?

Don't overthink things and trust your gut.  There is never "the right answer" you just have to make a decision and move forward.