Sara Murphy
Sara Murphy is a Washington Residential Sales Manager at A&R Solar, where she leads high-performing teams focused on delivering clean energy solutions to homeowners across the Pacific Northwest. With a strong foundation in environmental policy and a passion for sustainability, Sara has built her career at the intersection of leadership, customer experience, and the evolving renewable energy landscape. She is known for her consultative approach to sales, helping customers make informed decisions that align with both their financial goals and environmental impact.
Sara’s career journey reflects a deep commitment to both people and purpose. After earning her degree from Western Washington University, she served as a Community Health Education Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Cambodia, where she supported sustainable health initiatives at the community level. She later joined Omnidian as an early team member, contributing to the growth of a rapidly scaling solar technology company, before advancing into leadership roles at EnergyHub and ultimately A&R Solar. Across each role, she has developed expertise in client success, team development, and scaling operations in fast-moving, mission-driven environments.
In her current role, Sara manages and mentors a team of sales professionals, driving strategic growth while fostering a collaborative, people-first culture. She works cross-functionally with leadership to guide product strategy, analyze market trends, and ensure her team is equipped to navigate the ever-changing “solar coaster” of the industry. Recently earning both Executive Leadership and Performance Leadership certifications through Cornell, Sara continues to invest in her growth as a leader, with a focus on coaching others, strengthening organizations, and advancing the transition to a more sustainable energy future.
• Performance Leadership Certificate - Cornell University
• Executive Leadership Certificate - Cornell University
• PV Technical Sales - NABCEP
• Western Washington University - B.S. in Environmental Policy
• Peace Corps - Community Healthcare Volunteer in Cambodia
• Max Higbee Center
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When I think about the people who have made the greatest impact in my life, the first person who comes to mind is my late grandmother, Nona. She had such a beautiful lens through which she viewed the world. As a travel agent, she explored so many places, but what stood out most was how she connected with people—building friendships effortlessly, embracing new experiences, and approaching life with openness and curiosity. She brought so much beauty into the world, and I’ve learned so much from her example. I’m incredibly grateful for the relationship we shared, and I hope to carry forward and share that same spirit with others.
I’m also deeply influenced by my current manager, the VP of Sales at A&R Solar. He is one of the most empathetic leaders I’ve ever met. He has a unique ability to make people feel comfortable, heard, and truly seen in the workplace. Through his actions, he fosters a culture rooted in dignity, respect, and empathy. The way he leads and shows up for others is something I strive to emulate in both my professional and personal life.
Another person who has had a lasting impact on me is Brad Davis, who was the Chief Marketing Officer at Omnidian during my time there. He was an incredible mentor who invested in my growth and gave me opportunities to learn, lead, and build confidence in my abilities. Being able to learn from him and follow in his footsteps helped set a strong foundation for my career. I’m incredibly grateful for all of the people who have shaped my journey, and I hope to have that same kind of meaningful impact on my team and within my community as I continue to grow.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to be yourself. It can be super intimidating going into business with people who you see have so much experience and education and background, but your experience and perspectives are also still valuable, even if you are just starting out. There's no certain business mold anybody needs to fit into, so don't be afraid to be yourself and be confident in your personality. Being eager to learn is really important, and try to bring your whole self to work. Within that too, have fun! There's times to be serious, but you can also have fun while you're at work - making friends, doing activities, giving people compliments in the office. All of those things matter and make work a place you want to be.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The golden rule is one that lasts the test of time - treat others how you wish to be treated. At the end of the day, we're all humans doing our best out here, and it can be sometimes a little too easy to forget that when you're just living quickly in the day-to-day. I believe in treating people with dignity and respect, meeting people where they're at, and living with empathy. I also think it's important to add a little bit of play into your everyday life. Building community is really important to me too. I'm lucky to have built a great group of friends in my neighborhood and wider communities, and I've made wonderful friendships with other like-minded women, especially those I met working in renewable energy. It's really cool to be able to bounce ideas off of them outside of work and get a fresh perspective, because we all have similar baseline experience but technology and times have changed, so it's important to stay current with them.