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Sarah Finney

Job Title: Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communicatons/Senior Woman Administrator (SWA)
Company: Seattle University
Industry: NCAA Division I college athletics
Mentor Since: 2025
Will Mentor: Sport & Entertainment Management
Mentor Type: Sport and Entertainment
Profile

  1. Albers School of Business & Economics
  2. Student Life
  3. Career Mentoring
  4. MBA SEM Mentor Program
  5. MBA SEM Mentor List
  6. SEM Mentors

Background

Job Description

Responsible for directing, planning and implementing all external relations and strategic communications aspects of Seattle University Athletics Department including, but not limited to marketing and promotions, tickets, media relations (sports information), broadcast, creative content and brand. Also serve as a member of the Department senior leadership team and as the Department's Senior Woman Administrator, and serve on multiple West Coast Conference committees including the Executive Cabinet, Championships and Sport Administration Cabinet and the External Affairs Cabinet.

Company Description

Founded in 1891, Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in the dynamic heart of Seattle. Our 7,200 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs across eight schools and colleges. Seattle U is recognized among top national universities for its academics, student-centered teaching, service learning and leadership in sustainability. Seattle U sponsors 17 intercollegiate sports at the NCAA® Division I level. All sports are members of the West Coast Conference, except for men’s and women’s swimming, which competes in the Big West Conference. In alignment with the university mission and vision, Seattle U Athletics is committed to graduating champions, empowering leaders and inspiring community to develop Redhawks for life. For more information, visit goseattleu.com.

Employment History

  • Seattle University - Director of Communications (2016-2019), Associate AD for Strategic Communications (2019-Present)
  • Loyola Marymount University - 2011-2016 - Athletics Communications Manager
  • The Ivy League - 2010-2011 - Assistant Executive Director, Communications and Championships
  • CSU Bakersfield - 2007-2010 - Assistant Sports Information Director
  • Humboldt State University - 2003-07 - Assistant Sports Information Director

Education

Bachelors of Arts in Journalism, Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt)

Mentoring Objectives & Scope

Able to provide mentoring on a range of topics, including career development, leadership, negotiations, managing and collaborating with people, financial management, and strategic planning.

When and where do you hold meetings with your students?

A mixture of in-person and virtual