Sara Valentine
Sara Valentine is a faith-driven HR executive, speaker, and podcaster based in Winter Garden, Florida, currently serving as Vice President of Talent & Culture at Give Kids The World Village. In this role, she leads people and culture strategy for the nonprofit resort that provides cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. With nearly two decades of experience in human resources across legal, hospitality, and nonprofit sectors, Sara has built a career centered on creating workplaces where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to do meaningful work.
She is the creator of the HEART Leadership framework—Hear, Empathy, Appreciate, Respond, and Thank—which reflects her people-first philosophy and approach to leadership. Through her HEART Leadership Podcast, Sara shares conversations with leaders about vulnerability, trust, and leading with purpose in both everyday and high-stakes environments. Her career has included senior HR leadership roles at organizations such as SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where she led large teams, managed complex employee relations, and guided organizational culture through change.
Sara is also an entrepreneur and founder of SimplyHR, LLC, where she provides strategic HR consulting to organizations. She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, continuing to deepen her leadership and business expertise. Across all her work, she is known for combining faith, empathy, and practical leadership, with a mission to build workplaces rooted in humanity, trust, and lasting impact.
• Women's Strategic Leadership Program
• Human Resources Management Certificate
• Professional in Human Resources
• Facilitator for Development Dimensions International Learning Systems
• American InterContinental University- Associate's
• Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College- Executive M.B.A.
• Top 17 People to Know
• Women of Distinction in HR Nominee
• Covington's Who's Who of Executives & HR Professionals
• Women's Strategic Leadership Program
• Association for Talent Development
• SimplyHR, LLC
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Make A Wish Program
• Middlesex County of Virginia Youth Football Association
What do you attribute your success to?
When I have my career life story, I'm a good proponent of faith, any faith is important for people, believing in something bigger than yourself, and for me, that's Christ. I'm a victim of sexual abuse through my stepdad, along with my two sisters, and He got me to where I am. Through my journey as a single mom, I almost lost two of my children. My son had emergency brain surgery at a young age to save his life. My daughter, because she was also a victim of my stepdad, almost took her life, so I almost lost her in 2021. So my focus has always been to do well at work, but take care of my children and take care of myself. I tell people all the time, there's no way I should be in this seat. There are way more qualified, amazing people and women out there that could do this job. But I was selected, and I'm so grateful for my journey and to help others.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Keep pushing forward, never give up, dont let anyone or anything get in the way of your goals or happiness.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stand tall and proud, speak your mind, be an advocate for yourself, don't settle-know your worth.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Bringing cultures togethers where people and performance thrive. Creator of HEART leadership Framework. Empowering people and driving employee engagement.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I got into HR to help people, to really be there for people, to shape their careers, their lives, to empower people to take advantage of their opportunities. Our storytellers take care of our families, and I feel it's my responsibility to take care of the storytellers. I really focus on talent development and culture, coaching my executive committee to where we can build a culture of belonging. Faith is important to me, believing in something bigger than yourself, and for me, that's Christ. My focus has always been to do well at work, but take care of my children and take care of myself.