Director of Development and Communications, Executive Leadership
Sarah Channing, MSBA, serves as Director of Development and Communications at Wood River Health, where she leads an integrated portfolio encompassing fundraising, grant strategy, branding, marketing, public relations and community engagement. With more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she brings a disciplined, strategic approach to advancing organizational priorities while elevating visibility, strengthening stakeholder engagement and driving sustainable growth.
Recognized for her ability to translate complex initiatives into clear, compelling narratives, Sarah has secured significant public and private funding, led high-impact campaigns and positioned organizations to achieve measurable outcomes. Her leadership style blends analytical rigor with creative insight, enabling her to align messaging across platforms, unify diverse perspectives and build broad-based support for mission-driven work. She is motivated by a commitment to practical impact and the role thoughtful communication plays in expanding access, strengthening systems and improving lives.
Prior to joining Wood River Health, Sarah held senior leadership roles at Thrive Behavioral Health and the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, where she contributed to both community-based and global initiatives. A respected leader in Rhode Island’s civic and nonprofit landscape, she is a past president of the Warwick Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.
Sarah is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island and holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire.