Staff: Sarah Miller

Sarah Miller serves as Development Officer for Friends of the Children – Western Montana, where she brings more than twenty years of experience building relationships, creating partnerships, and connecting people with communities and causes that help create positive impact.

Born in Missoula, Sarah spent much of her childhood in Peru and on the Quinault Tribal Reservation in Washington before moving to Portland, Oregon, at age eleven. Growing up across very different communities - and in a family of teachers - shaped how she shows up in the world and deepened her understanding of belonging, connection, and listening with curiosity.

Before heeding the call back to Montana and transitioning into the nonprofit sector, Sarah spent her career in the outdoor industry, building partnerships and leading teams with organizations including REI, Marmot, and On Running. The heart of that work has always been the same: people. She loves building trusted relationships, connecting ideas with action, and finding opportunities to create something meaningful together. Now, that work takes on a different purpose: bringing those years of experience to support Friends of the Children’s mission of breaking the cycle of generational poverty. To ground her transition into nonprofit development, Sarah completed the Certificate in Fundraising Management through the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Sarah also serves on the Board of Directors for the Missoula Urban Demonstration Project (MUD) and volunteers with local cycling nonprofit, MT Alpha's.

Outside of work, Sarah is happiest outside - hiking with her Golden Retriever, Bodhi, backpacking, or riding her bike. When she’s not outside, she’s likely spending time with family, cooking and listening to a podcast, or planning her next adventure.