Sarah A. Sanchez

My personal drive is motivated by being put into so many situations where I have to "figure it out", realistically speaking. When it comes to work, I'm curating a creative & fluid lifestyle of what has to be done to succeed in this field. I assess, absorb the knowledge, take the physical steps needed to achieve, and assess again. I work in alignment, productivity, ideas, & solutions. Having an "outside of the box" brain that works like a computer is beneficial! But to be completely honest, I'm really just figuring it out as I go and succeeding at it. Failure is uncomfortable, but necessary to experience in order to know what you're doing, and what you stand for. My quest for knowledge never ceases. I even use time on social media to expand my expertise on my personal interests and current design trends. I treat my career as if it's a college-level continuing education course, because that's what it feels like as I ascend into such diverse project management roles. I build genuine relationships with my project managers and resources as we learn each other's workflows, making way for easier transitions through our projects and deliveries. Ensuring there's clear communication and making sure everyone is on the same page, has been key to successful transactions in my day to day workflows.

Of course, I must give thanks to my boss, Hana Laurenzo, founder and CEO of Teneo Linguistics Company. I’ve always been fascinated by computers and digital content—having grown up during the rise of technology in the 90s and 2000s— I always knew I'd turn my computer nerd skills into a real profession someday. Hana gave me a chance to prove myself in this career field and provided a reason to venture into digital accessibility, not only for the growth of the company but for the benefit of the clients we serve worldwide. She's paved the way by providing encouragement, funding for training and tools, and also leading by example. Her leadership style is both inspiring and empowering—she demonstrates how to conduct business with integrity while valuing people first. She also fosters a healthy work–life balance, allowing me to be present for my children and fully dedicated to my role. I’m grateful to be part of a dynamic, purpose-driven team that’s making a global impact—one word at a time.

If you're searching for a career with purpose, now is the time to find your footing in the accessibility industry. It’s a space built not on competition, but on a shared mission of partnership, inclusivity, and understanding. It’s a chance to make a profound impact on people's lives, offering rewarding results from wherever you call home.

Simultaneously, the ground is shifting in the graphic design realm. AI has entered the arena, and "the competition" is no longer just with humans. But this shouldn’t be a reason to quit; it should be a reason to dig deeper. Stay curious, master the techniques, and learn the tools. Businesses are still in need of that human element that AI is unable to produce, such as storytelling and emotion, customization, and portraying 5-fingered hands. Plus, being able to form ideas into reality is empowering when you're capable of bringing incredible visions to life & often leaves people to wonder how you did it. There is a respect behind the work put in that AI doesn't generate & possessing the knowledge of how it all works is a truly special quality to have. The stigma around artificial intelligence is not something you should allow to waver your journey. The line between harnessing it and being beaten by it is thin, demanding that we evolve as designers, but what an exciting evolution it is. We have unlimited access to knowledge and a creative potential that knows no bounds.

Of course, landing a job in a competitive digital market can be stressful. The simple, profound answer is to never stop creating. If not for work, then do it for yourself. Refine your resume. Build a more compelling website. One day, somebody, somewhere, will come across your online presence and think, "This is the person we've been looking for." Then it will be up to you to prove them right.

I have so many interests that have put me into networking circumstances. Passion can be a great engine for opportunity. For example, my love for music has taken me to countless live shows, where I naturally started networking with local musicians. A conversation with the right person led to designing band logos and merch (and learning to draw thrash metal logos was a challenge I didn't know I needed). Before I knew it, my work was on stage—splashed across backdrops, bass drum heads, t-shirts and slap slickers. The thrill of seeing something you created out in the world, and being able to point out and say, "I made that!"—is a feeling beyond measure. I didn't just know how to design metal logos though, I had to do extensive research and teach myself the complexities with several failed attempts. But I pushed through it. The paths to your greatest achievements are determined by the risks you're willing to take and the hard work you're willing to put in. Only then, will you find what you're capable of.

One of my current challenges—and greatest opportunities—is completing the certification process for web accessibility compliance, which is necessary for working UI/UX projects for certain government entities. While I’ve gained extensive experience in desktop publishing and document accessibility, expanding my expertise into accessible web design is the next step in my professional growth. New accessibility laws and expectations are being rolled out that need to be refined and adapted to, so keeping up to date with current design techniques is absolutely necessary. Each milestone in this process pushes me to learn more, refine my skills, and contribute to creating a more inclusive digital world.

The things I value most in my life.. are Joy—I love to laugh and make others laugh too. Connection—I really care about knowing myself and building genuine relationships with those I align with. I take time to appreciate moments of happiness that I recognize when we're together. Comfort— Finding peace in nature, meditation and frequency allows me to feel comfortable in my own skin. Or, in bed with a great show & a glass of wine, that's nice too. Freedom—I love to live in the moment and let the nature of my free spirit fly. Life is more fun when you give yourself the allowance to live it. Creativity—I usually always have a project of some sort in the works, my mind does not stop. Having a creative outlet to express myself is a high vibrational way of life for me. Family—above all else—having the opportunity to watch my precious little babies blossom into beautiful and adventurous personalities of their own is absolutely priceless.

I'm also deeply passionate about dancing and basically live off of my carefully curated playlists. I have music on all day long to help generate my computer workflows, and it just helps me focus OR let loose, whichever I need to make it through the moment. I frequently attend live rock shows and EDM festivals for fun, as they bring so much energy, happiness and balance into my life. I’m a mother of three beautiful girls (7, 11, & 14) who are my greatest joy and inspiration, they make me so proud and are pretty little creative geniuses themselves. I've also been married to my wonderfully handsome & hilarious husband of 11 years, who has shown me the kind of love & compassion only written in storybooks. But as life goes, our unfortunate loss of so many loved ones has taught me to value life experiences, make cherished memories and to always appreciate the people around me, regardless of how they fit into my life. In my work, I’m feel fortunate to take part in projects that make a positive difference in the world. Knowing that what I do helps others and contributes to something meaningful is incredibly fulfilling—it allows me to blend my passion for creativity with my purpose in life. If I were to pass on to whatever is next—beyond this physical presence, I'm happy to say that I've experienced my purpose and lived a full life to it's truest potential.