About Sarah Lynn Gerace
From Yosemite's Wild Beauty to Purpose-Driven Innovation
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My journey began amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Yosemite Gateway, where a deep-rooted connection to the outdoors ignited a lifelong passion for conservation and community. For over a decade, I've honed my leadership and operational expertise in hospitality and unique non-profit environments, culminating in my role as General Manager for Better Place Forests. Here, I not only led the launch and development of the 172-acre Yosemite Gateway Forest but also contributed to its successful transition into a non-profit.
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Strategic Vision & Operational Excellence: As a General Manager, my days were a dynamic blend of strategic planning and hands-on execution. I've orchestrated complex projects from the ground up, managing everything from securing significant partnerships – like onboarding 10 funeral homes to generate over $560K in annual revenue – to developing comprehensive safety programs that evaluated 15 potential risks and protected our community. My experience also includes overseeing multi-site operations, managing diverse teams of 50+ individuals, and driving substantial revenue growth through meticulous event coordination and customer experience initiatives. At Better Place Forests, I streamlined onboarding processes, boosting customer product knowledge by 40% and reducing support tickets by 30%, demonstrating my commitment to efficiency and impact.​
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The Creative Edge: Design & Storytelling: While my professional path has been rooted in operational leadership, my approach has always been infused with a creative spirit. This self-taught design sensibility allows me to see beyond numbers and processes, envisioning how spaces, experiences, and communications can be crafted for maximum engagement and aesthetic appeal. My academic background in Film, Video, and Photographic Arts, coupled with an influence in Visual Journalism, laid the groundwork for a keen eye for detail, composition, and visual storytelling—skills I now actively apply to everything from marketing materials to project conceptualization.
​Passion for Impact: What truly drives me is the opportunity to blend my strategic leadership and creative problem-solving to contribute to causes that matter. Whether it's fostering a positive work culture, enhancing guest experiences, or preserving natural environments, I am committed to delivering results with both heart and precision. My goal is to transform complex challenges into beautifully executed projects that not only meet objectives but also inspire and create lasting, positive change.
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​Driven by Exploration & Creation: My lifelong dream of living in California came to fruition, leading me to a 5-acre dilapidated farm that I am slowly, but passionately, restoring—a personal project demanding the same strategic thinking and hands-on dedication I bring professionally. This same spirit of audacious exploration fuels my passion for climbing and pushing my limits in wild places, both mentally and physically. At 34, I embraced the challenge of learning to snowboard, evolving into an avid backcountry split-boarder who relishes testing new boundaries. This constant need to create and learn extends into diverse artistic endeavors, from photography and painting to metalsmithing and candle making. Indeed, one of the first projects on my farm was restoring an old woodshed into a studio, a dedicated space for this continuous creative output.
I thrive in environments where innovation meets purpose, and I am eager to apply my diverse skill set to new opportunities that allow me to make a meaningful impact.
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Download My CV/Resume