Staff Spotlight: Sarah Smith, Executive Assistant & Office Coordinator

Today, we are spotlighting Sarah Smith, Executive Assistant and Office Coordinator at CommCorp. Sarah plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in keeping the organization running smoothly, supporting leadership through scheduling, event coordination, and day-to-day operations. Known for her flexibility and problem-solving skills, she helps ensure that teams stay connected and focused on advancing CommCorp’s mission. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring local neighborhoods, visiting farmers’ markets, and spending time outdoors as the warmer months arrive. 

Q: What does your role as Executive Assistant involve, and how do you help keep CommCorp running smoothly? 

A: My role as CommCorp's Executive Assistant encompasses a wide variety of tasks. These range from calendaring internal and external meetings to restocking the office, helping prep All Staff Meetings, event planning, helping with CommCorp's professional development, and Board meetings. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that I do to ensure CommCorp runs as smoothly as possible! This includes monitoring the INFO inbox, the Events calendar, food, and office supply restocking, as well as miscellaneous tasks I am entrusted with. I am always up to something! 

Q: How does your work support leadership and contribute to the organization’s broader goals? 

A: A big part of my job is ensuring that our leadership team is meeting with stakeholders and partners who can help further CommCorp's mission and purpose. This includes scheduling in-person and virtual meetings, coordinating schedules, and ensuring that if a reschedule happens, it is handled quickly. I also play a large part in our Board meetings, which help to guide CommCorp's goals and decision-making. For the Board meetings, not only do I manage the Board members, but I also do all of the clerical work, like informing the Secretary of the Commonwealth, prepping speaker notes, and taking meeting minutes. My work ensures that leadership is able to do its work without having to worry about the various smaller tasks that go into the organization's broader goals and enables everything to run as smoothly as possible. 

Q: What strengths or skills do you think are most important for someone working in an executive support role? 

A: The strengths and skills that I believe are the most important for someone working in an executive support role are being able to be flexible, having good problem-solving skills, and being able to handle various ongoing tasks happening at once. I also think that to be in a job like this, you must be able to work with and get along with everyone.

Q: What have you learned about leadership or organizational culture through your position at CommCorp? 

A: My previous work experience has been more legal based, with working at a law firm and the Rhode Island Attorney General's office, which has a more linear, less collaborative leadership structure. At CommCorp, especially in my position, I feel much more like a collaborator than strictly an assistant. Molly and the VPs have always been open to my input and opinions on certain topics, which has made me feel like a valued member of the team. In regard to organizational culture, I have learned that it is something that has to be continually upheld and reinforced through actions and events. With the Staff Retreat, for example, that is something that we began when Molly and I came to CommCorp, and it is now a major part of our organizational culture every year. It is something that is constantly evolving, requires careful and extensive planning, and allows us all to come together to continue to create culture at CommCorp.

Q: Springtime is here! What do you like to do during springtime? 

A: I am SO happy that warmer weather is on the way! I don't mind the winter, but I am gladly welcoming the sunshine this year. In the Spring, I love going on walks in Somerville/Cambridge to look at the pretty old houses that are scattered around! I am also very excited for the farmers' markets and outdoor vintage markets in Union, Davis, and Harvard Square to come back as well! I am also very fortunate to have a balcony at my current apartment, so I will also be outside reading more and enjoying the outdoors!