Sarah Macdonald

Profile

As Director of Strategic Communications for Western Municipal Water District, Sarah serves a dynamic organization that directly impacts the quality of life for customers and the region. She is proud to be a part of an innovative, results-driven team with a vision of being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust while delivering a best-in-class customer experience.

Sarah is responsible for a comprehensive communications and governmental affairs program, including external and internal communications, public outreach and engagement, strategic planning, crisis communications, and information sharing across a service area of nearly one million ratepayers.

In addition to her service with Western, she currently serves on the Board of Directors for CAPIO as Communications Chair. As a Board member, her goal is to advance the role and value of the public communicator within their agency and communities served.

Prior to joining Western, Sarah effectively led and elevated the City of San Marcos’ communications program and was proud to be a part of a leadership team responsible for a nine percent increase in resident satisfaction and a 420 percent increase in digital engagement. To top it off, she also has experience working for—or with—nearly every level of government. Most notably, she served Yolo County Probation as a key project manager assisting with public safety realignment.

Sarah hold a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from University California at Santa Barbara and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from Sacramento State University.