Sarra Dennehy
Sarra Dennehy is a passionate nonprofit leader and advocate for inclusion, currently serving as the State Director of Best Buddies in New Hampshire, a role she has held for over a decade. With a background in political science from the University of San Diego, Sarra began her career on Capitol Hill as a legislative correspondent for Congressman Brian Bilbray before transitioning into political fundraising. It was during this time that she discovered her talent for raising money in support of causes she deeply believed in—an ability that would later become central to her life’s work.
Her career path shifted profoundly following the birth of her son, who has Down syndrome. What began as a personal journey evolved into a mission to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sarra became actively involved with the National Down Syndrome Society, organizing impactful events in Washington, D.C., before discovering Best Buddies through a transformative experience at a fundraising bike ride. Inspired by the organization’s impact, she spearheaded efforts to bring Best Buddies to New Hampshire, raising over $250,000 to launch the program and building it from the ground up into a thriving statewide initiative.
Under her leadership, the organization has grown from a one-person operation to a team of seven, expanding programs that foster friendship, leadership development, and inclusive employment. In 2021, Sarra was recognized as State Director of the Year across the entire Best Buddies network, a testament to her dedication and impact. Today, she continues to focus on expanding employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, working to ensure they can pursue meaningful careers and live independently—something her own son has achieved. Through her work, Sarra remains committed to building a more inclusive world where every individual is valued, empowered, and given the opportunity to thrive.
• University of San Diego- B.A.
• University of San Diego- B.S.
• State Director of the Year 2021 - Best Buddies
• Best Buddies
• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) - in training
• CASA Advocate Training
• National Down Syndrome Society - Fundraising
• Cooking with Congress Event
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to purpose-driven work and a deeply personal connection to the mission. My journey into disability advocacy was completely shaped by my son, who was born with Down syndrome. When he was born, I thought my world was over, but I quickly realized it wasn't, and that I could use the fundraising skills I had learned in politics to help him and people like him. He's the love of my life, the medicine for my soul, everything I never knew I needed but really needed. I feel so lucky, like I'm one of the very lucky few. That personal connection drives everything I do. I was also empowered by the strength of the people in New Hampshire when I first moved here from Southern California. The state's motto is 'live free or die,' and when I wanted to bring Best Buddies here, people really believed in what I was doing and wanted to support me. Raising that quarter of a million dollars to establish the organization showed me the power of community behind a mission. I'm also really proud of my son and who he is as a person, how he changes people's lives every day and changes what people think Down syndrome is. A lot of people are scared or uncomfortable, but then they meet him and realize it's not what they thought. I love that he can be that for a new mom or for somebody who doesn't know anything about disability.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be prepared to work hard. I think sometimes people think you're a nonprofit and it's gonna feel so good, and it does, but it's really, really hard work. You oftentimes don't get paid as much as you would if you were in the corporate world. So you gotta do it because you really want to do it, because there's nothing better than doing something for the right reasons, because you love it and you want to make a difference. But you have to be doing it for the right reasons, because otherwise you're not gonna last, because it is hard.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I face is competing with other nonprofits that are all worthy and doing great work. We're all fighting for the same dollar, and it's really hard. There are so many worthy nonprofits in this state that do amazing things, just not what I do. I think that sometimes nonprofits that are bigger, like Boys and Girls Club or Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, get so much attention because of their size and name recognition. But the ones that are doing just as much work and working just as hard don't get that same level of attention and funding. That's hard, you know, fighting for the same dollar. On the opportunity side, my biggest professional goal is to bring our jobs program to New Hampshire. It's the next step for us, and it's a big deal. It's a lot of work, a lot of money, and a lot of time, but I think it's really important that people with disabilities have jobs that they love and they're not just bagging groceries. Not everybody with Down syndrome wants to bag groceries. My kid is a complete musician, and I would love for him to have opportunities that match his talents. I think it's important that we remember that people with disabilities have dreams and they want to do things that they want to do, not just be pushed into certain positions.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Inclusion, compassion, and purpose are the values that drive everything I do. In my work, I'm really focused on teaching what inclusion really means, not just as a word but as an actual action, and how important it is. We're teaching kids that it's not a travesty to have an intellectual or developmental disability, and that people with disabilities have just as much to offer the world as anybody else. That's probably the most important thing I do. I also believe deeply in creating opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive and helping them pursue their dreams, not just pushing them into predetermined roles. In my personal life, I'm very social and love to be with family and friends. I'm an avid reader and pretty spiritual, so I'm always wanting to learn about spiritual topics, and I love to meditate. I also have a strong desire to give back and help kids who need love and support, which is why I'm training to become a CASA advocate. I've always had this deep feeling inside of me that all kids need love, and a lot of kids can't help the fact that they don't have it, and I want to be a person that helps.