Sarah A. Sanchez

To be entirely frank, my personal drive is likely accredited to overcoming so many painful life lessons at a young age. Hardships can be a great motivator for personal successes, though. It took a lot of work to turn my life around from what it once was. Somewhere along the way, I decided to be stronger than the things that were keeping me down and found a creative outlet in editing and digital art. I’ve always been inspired by finding the beauty in life and capturing all of my favorite parts. Turning that into my way of life has been a no brainer for me. Also, after having 3 C-sections and living to tell the tale, I feel like I can accomplish anything. My children are my greatest motivators, and I am able to guild them with experience, and love, and acceptance. I get up every day and suffer so that they can have beautiful lives. (lol, jk.)

As for successes at my place of work, I must give credit where its due. Much of my recent success is thanks to my boss, Hana Laurenzo, founder and CEO of Teneo Linguistics Company. While I’ve always been fascinated by technology—having grown up during the rise of computers in the 90s and 2000s— I always dreamt of turning my computer nerd skills into a real profession. She gave me a chance to prove myself in this career field and is the reason I ventured into digital accessibility, not only for the growth of the company but for the benefit of the clients we serve worldwide. Hana has 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 kids and fully dedicated to my role. I’m truly grateful to be part of such a dynamic, purpose-driven team that’s making a global impact—one word at a time.

"Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..."

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. Being able to form ideas into reality feels like you're a wizard with a magic staff, capable of bringing incredible visions to life, leaving people to wonder how you did it. It's 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 AI 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. I also use humor as a deep coping mechanism, if we're being honest. Connection—I really care about knowing myself and seeing other people's true selves & the psychology of why we are the way we are. I'm big on the "I love you's" to friends whose souls I feel intwined with, & take time to appreciate moments of bliss that I recognize when we're together. Comfort—In bed with a great show & a glass of wine is my happy place. Freedom—I love to live in the moment and let my free spirit fly. Life is more fun with a wild heart! Creativity—I usually always have a project of some sort in the works, my mind does not stop. 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 and can feel it in my bones. 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. I've also been happily married to my wonderful, handsome & hilarious husband of 10 years, who has shown me the kind of love & compassion only written in storybooks. The sort of partnership we have is what a lot of people strive for, and I feel so fortunate to have a man like him not only as a life companion, but as a father to our children. I truly couldn't ask for any better. The loss of so many loved ones has taught me to value 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 grateful 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.