SarahLydia Keihl Steward
My journey has been shaped by a blend of public service, creativity, entrepreneurship, and a genuine passion for connecting with people. I began with the City of Dayton in the mid-1990s as a lifeguard, and those early experiences taught me leadership, responsibility, and the value of serving others.
Over the years, my path has evolved in ways I did not always plan, but each chapter has helped shape who I am professionally. My time in Florida working in administration strengthened my organizational and technical skills. My many roles at the Dayton International Airport deepened my experience in government and airport operations, while photography—something I have always been passionate about personally—unexpectedly helped open the door to the role I have today, simply by taking sunrises and sunset photos.
Now, as a Public Information Assistant, staff photographer, and social media strategist, I have the opportunity to bring together many of the skills I have developed over time—communication, visual storytelling, public engagement, and strategic thinking. I enjoy helping make government feel more accessible and relatable while finding creative ways to connect residents with information, services, and their community.
My journey has also been shaped by entrepreneurship and experiences like the Walt Disney World College Program, both of which taught me a great deal about relationship-building, adaptability, and seeing opportunity in new ways. Those experiences helped shape my optimistic outlook and reinforced the importance of authenticity in how I lead and connect with others.
On a personal level, I value family, service, and staying active in my community. I am a proud parent through the foster-to-adopt program, and I have had the privilege of supporting many youth along different points in their journey. I am also passionate about animal rescue and have adopted several dogs through Pug Rescue.
Outside of work, I am a lifelong artistic swimmer with over 40 years in the sport, and I recently completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management in 2021. These experiences continue to shape my discipline, teamwork, and perspective both personally and professionally.
Looking back, what has shaped me most is being open to growth, embracing unexpected opportunities, and staying grounded in purpose. Every step has contributed to a journey centered on service, creativity, and meaningful connection.
• American Red Cross Volunteer
• Swim Lesson Instructor
• Lifeguard Instructor
• Sinclair Community College - Disney World College Internship Program (1998)
• Western Governors University Graduate 2021
• 2 time Joseph T Cline Award Winner (2015 & 2021)
• Dayton Holland American Club (Lifelong Member)
• American Red Cross
• Dayton Synchronette
• American Red Cross Volunteer
• Swim Lesson Instructor
• Pug Rescue of Ohio
• Arts and Music Culture Support
• Foster Parent (12 children
• Adopted first placement)
• Pecha Kucha speaker
• Be Well Dayton Ambassador
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to leading with authenticity, maintaining an optimistic mindset, and staying grounded in purpose. Authenticity has allowed me to build trust, foster meaningful relationships, and lead in a way that is genuine and consistent with my values. I have found that people respond to sincerity, and some of the strongest opportunities in my career have grown from simply showing up as myself.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Follow your heart. Stay true to yourself. And keep your creativity alive—because when you keep creating, you keep growing.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the most significant challenges—and opportunities—in my field is the growing demand for transparency, accessibility, and timely access to public information. As public interest in government processes has increased, so has the volume and complexity of public records requests. In my experience, request volume has grown substantially, reflecting a broader expectation that government be more responsive, accessible, and accountable. By improving processes, leveraging technology, and enhancing communication around access to information, public records can serve not only as a compliance function but as a critical component of civic engagement and transparent governance.
More broadly, I see an opportunity for local government communicators to help modernize how information is shared, making government more understandable, approachable, and responsive to the communities we serve. For me, that is where challenge and opportunity intersect.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Two values that are especially important to me are creativity and balance. Creativity has been a constant throughout my career and influences how I approach problem-solving, communication, and storytelling. Whether through public information, photography, or digital engagement, I value bringing fresh ideas and thoughtful perspective to the work in ways that inform, connect, and create impact.
Equally important is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I believe balance supports both personal well-being and professional effectiveness. Having an alternative work schedule of four 10-hour days has been instrumental in supporting that balance, allowing me dedicated time to recharge, sustain creativity, and be more focused and productive in my work. It has positively contributed to my overall well-being and reinforced my belief that when people have the space to maintain balance, they are often able to lead and perform at their best.
More broadly, I value authenticity, adaptability, and approaching both work and life with intention. Those values continue to shape how I lead, create, and contribute.
Milestone Moments
Dayton Daily News Article 7/21/2025 'I really wanted to reflect each person's individuality'