Sarah Strunk
Director
Office: 919-843-3122
Fax: 919-843-3083
sarah_strunk@unc.edu
Job Focus
Sarah oversees all aspects of program development and operations, including grant management and evaluation, partnership development, new program development and sustainability planning.
Why am I working at Active Living By Design?
As a child, my feet were my ticket to freedom. Walking to school, pedaling to the pool, and running over to friends’ homes to play expanded my universe, provided independence and made me happy. Those early experiences built my self confidence, contributed to my lifelong interest in physical activity and, ultimately, positively impacted my health and well being. A world that embraces active living is one that promises a better quality of life for children and for society overall. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to work as part of this dynamic, influential movement.
Bio:
As Director of Active Living By Design, Ms. Strunk oversees all aspects of program development and operations, including grants management and evaluation, partnership development, new program development and sustainability planning. She also serves on a variety of local and national advisory committees, including the YMCA’s national Activate America program, the North Carolina Physical Activity Policy Research Center, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation’s Fit Together program. She frequently consults within the philanthropic community on the development of programs to foster improved health through environmental and policy approaches to active living and healthy eating. In addition, she is a Clinical Instructor in the School’s Department of Health Policy and Administration (HPAA), where she lectures and teaches strategic planning, business planning and professional development in the Executive Master’s Program.
Ms. Strunk has previous experience in strategic planning, business development, operational planning, marketing, fundraising and constituent relations in provider, payer, public health and academic organizations. Prior to her current role, she served as Deputy Director of Active Living By Design and was instrumental in launching this new program from concept to reality. Previously, she was Director of External Affairs and Director of Alumni Affairs at the UNC School of Public Health, overseeing corporate, foundation and alumni relations as part of the School’s $100 million fundraising campaign. She also served as Director of Corporate Planning at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the state’s largest health insurer; and in strategic planning roles at Duke University Health System in Durham, NC, and at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.
Ms. Strunk earned a BA in Public Policy from the Sanford Institute of Policy Sciences and Public Affairs from Duke University and an MHA in Health Policy and Administration from the UNC School of Public Health.
She is an avid college basketball fan and enjoys hiking, jogging, cooking and volunteer work.
