Sarah’s unique skill set sits at the intersection of educational institutions, social impact and leadership. Her expertise is developing innovative service learning curricula and programs, connecting intellectual work and mission-driven organizations with genuine needs in the world. 

For over 30 years, Sarah has held teaching and leadership positions in higher education and K-12 schools. She was on the senior leadership team of Trinity School (NYC) where she created and founded the Office of Public Service, an innovative, thought-leading service learning initiative that was featured in this New York Times article. At the heart of this work was the creation of sixteen “Community Circle” partners, community-based organizations within five blocks of the school with whom Sarah created sustainable, mutual relationships where students, faculty and families work weekly to address systemic inequalities through ongoing relationships, creating a more just world. 

Sarah is a social entrepreneur who founded children's sleepwear company for social good BennisonGives which supports maternal and infant health locally and globally, and she is the co-founder and CEO of the Mattering Movement, a non-for-profit whose mission is to create cultures of mattering in educational spaces. She is the creator of the Mattering Movement Curriculum and is a published author who speaks to school communities and organizations across the United States. Throughout her career, Sarah has worked to empower students and faculty to integrate meaningful social impact work in education, transforming school cultures and student lives through service. She is on the faculty of New York University where she developed a new course called Achievement Culture & the American Dream: Who Matters? 

Dr. Bennison holds a Ph.D. from NYU; an M.A. from Columbia University; an M.A. from Columbia Teachers College; a B.A. from Smith College.