Her Story
About Sarah
Sarah M. Dominique is a nonprofit leader, social work professional, and Program Director at Pace Center for Girls in Gainesville, Florida, where she leads programs designed to improve outcomes for at-promise girls and their families. With more than eight years of experience in youth development and nonprofit leadership, she oversees the Day and Reach programs, directing multidisciplinary teams that provide academic support, social-emotional services, outpatient outreach therapy, and graduation readiness. As a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern with a Master of Social Work from Columbia University, Dominique combines clinical expertise with strategic leadership to create safe, empowering environments where young people can thrive. Dominique's career reflects a steady progression built on dedication, service, and leadership. She began her journey at Pace Center for Girls as a Community Engagement Intern after discovering her passion for social justice through coursework in Womanist Theory and Black feminism. Within months, she earned a promotion and has since advanced through multiple leadership roles, including Program Aide, Community Coordinator, Intake Counselor, and ultimately Program Director. Throughout her career, she has led program operations, strengthened community partnerships, ensured organizational compliance, and championed initiatives that support academic achievement, behavioral growth, and long-term success for girls ages 11 to 18. Her work has also earned recognition, including the Step-Up Award and the Positively Positive Award for her initiative, optimism, and commitment to serving others. Beyond her operational responsibilities, Dominique is passionate about developing future leaders and creating systems that foster collaboration, accountability, and opportunity. She regularly advocates for youth leadership, civic engagement, and mental health awareness while mentoring emerging professionals and speaking on nonprofit leadership. Guided by her Christian faith and the mentors who encouraged her early in her career, she believes leadership is rooted in service, continuous learning, and authentic relationships. Through her work, Dominique remains committed to expanding opportunities for young people, strengthening communities, and advancing the mission of nonprofit organizations through compassionate, purpose-driven leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sarah
01What do you attribute your success to?
My faith as a Christian has given me perseverance. My first professional job provided many mentors who poured into me and helped me overcome my shyness by making me feel seen and encouraging me to grow beyond my comfort zone.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The personal and the professional go together. If I am strong in an area in my personal life, it will show up in my professional life. Always have a mindset to grow and work on weaknesses.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Trust your gut. It took me a long time to learn how to trust myself and to trust my voice, but now I'm starting to hone into that a lot more, also working on the personal and recognizing where some of those patterns and cycles exist.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Maintaining boundaries as a people-oriented person, checking my compassion, drawing the line to hold people accountable, especially transitioning from staff member to leadership where former colleagues are now supervisees.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Relationships and meeting people where they are. Accountability and transparency in relationships. Honesty and support from a strong network.
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