About Sarah

Sarah Oquist, a board director with thirty years of governance service, is an experienced, effective business leader who is passionate about all aspects of corporate governance and who has demonstrated skill in inspiring transformative organizational change. Sarah began her combined legal and business career as a finance lawyer at the national law firm of Faegre before becoming the primary international banking lawyer for US Bank, followed by serving as CEO of Grand Casinos Minnesota, Commissioner of Corporate Affairs for a federally recognized tribe, and COO of a commercial litigation law firm. Sarah currently serves as board chair of a community bank, lead director of a for-profit professional services company, and secretary and governance chair of the National Association of Corporate Directors, Minnesota chapter. Sarah will bring a wealth of diverse lived and business experience and tireless passion to any board on which she is privileged to serve.

In addition to her experience and expertise, Sarah’s background provides her with an acute ability to relate easily to varying levels of leadership. She grew up in a rural, small town, as the daughter of two hard-working blue-collar laborers. Sarah’s need to work while attending high school and college afforded her the ability to serve in several front-line positions and peaked her lifelong interest in understanding how businesses operate. Because of this experience, Sarah has been successfully influencing CEO/Board Chairs to mid-level managers to front-line team members. Additionally, Sarah is an enrolled member of a Native American tribe and is also of African American descent. She has found that her heritage, along with her tenure in senior-level positions, has given her added skill in speaking both to predominantly majority audiences and to minority audiences. Sarah is passionate about and speaks on various topics including diversity, equity and inclusion, successful leadership, and corporate governance.

Speaking Topics and Credentials

PAST SPEECHES ON THIS TOPIC
  • “A Director’s View in Real Life: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Board of Directors”
  • “Stay the Change: How Good Governance Can Assure Diversity and Inclusion for the Long Run”
  • “A View from the Director’s Seat: the Role of a Director, a Corporate Secretary & the Board of Directors”
  • “Effecting Cultural Change within an Organization: Strategies, Practice Tips & Common Principles”
  • “What Practicing Law Has Taught Me About Success: Key Components to Achieving Meaningful & Sustained Success”
  • “How to Use Stories & PowerPoint as Powerful Teaching Tools: Tips for Successfully Teaching & Presenting”
  • “Law Firm Management: Oh No! Now What?!? Addressing Some Common Firm Crises”
  • “HCBA New Lawyers Group Strength Finders Session”
  • “Law Firm Management: Compensating & Retaining Talent”
  • “The Leader’s Story: Journey to Authentic Leadership”
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS AREA
  • Certified Gallup Strengths Coach, Issued 2019
  • CRR Global Trained Organizations & Relationship Systems Coach, Issued 2013
  • Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Issued 2011
  • Co-Active Graduate, Leadership Program, Issued 2011
  • Certified Facilitator, from The Leadership Circle, Issued 2010
HONORS & AFFILIATIONS IN THIS AREA
  • AWARD | Sarah is the Recipient Distinguished Alumni Award from Lyon College
  • CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | Woodlands National Bank
  • BOARD OF ADVISORS | Management HQ
  • BOARD | Artspace Projects, Inc.
  • BOARD | Walker Arts Center
  • MEMBER | National Association of Corporate Directors
PAST SPEECHES ON THIS TOPIC
  • “Creating a Supportive and Productive Workplace in the Face of Trauma”
  • “Stay the Change: How Good Governance Can Assure Diversity and Inclusion for the Long Run”
  • “Effecting Cultural Change within an Organization: Strategies, Practice Tips & Common Principles”
  • “Diversity & Inclusion in Real Estate Legal Practice: Feedback on the Real Property Section’s Diversity Plan”
  • “FBI & The Minneapolis Diversity & Inclusion Committee: Fostering a More Inclusive Workplace”
  • “Brightsmith Thinking Workshop: “PRACTICING THE UNCOMFORTABLE.”
  • “Race Matters: Navigating Privilege & Bias (While Building Healthy Relationships)”
  • “Becoming: Examining Bias & Diversity Issues Raised & How Those Issues Play Out in the Legal Profession”
  • “Does Diversity & Inclusion Matter in Post-Recession Corporate America? in Law Firms? What Should be Top of Mind?”
HONORS & AFFILIATIONS IN THIS AREA
  • AWARD | Sarah is the Recipient of the 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Award from Minnesota Lawyer Learn More
  • BOARD MEMBER | American Indian Community Development Corporation
    • The American Indian Community Development Corporation’s mission is to provide culturally unique initiatives, housing and entrepreneurial programs that will strengthen American Indian communities. I leverage solid business, financial management and legal experience to facilitate positive organizational change.
  • MEMBER | Minnesota American Indian Bar Association
  • MEMBER | Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers
  • MEMBER | National Native American Bar Association
PAST SPEECHES ON THIS TOPIC
  • “Stay the Change: How Good Governance Can Assure Diversity and Inclusion for the Long Run”
  • “A View from the Director’s Seat: the Role of a Director, a Corporate Secretary & the Board of Directors”
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS AREA
  • National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”) Governance Fellow, Issued 2017
HONORS & AFFILIATIONS IN THIS AREA
  • AWARD | Sarah is the Recipient of the Governance Fellow award from the NACD
  • BOARD & BOARD EXECUTIVE & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE | ClearWay Minnesota
  • BOARD & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE | Walker Art Center
  • BOARD OF TRUSTEES & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE | Lyon College
  • BOARD & BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE | Artspace Projects, Inc.
  • BOARD OF GOVERNORS | Sapentia Law Group
  • MEMBER | National Association of Corporate Directors
Interested in Booking Sarah?

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