Region 5 Director

Sara Vanhala

Sara Vanhala joined Illinois-based Small Business Growth Corporation (Growth Corp) in 2007 after her family relocated to Springfield, Illinois.  Serving as Vice President and Director of Marketing and Communications for Growth Corp, Sara is responsible for conveying the availability, impact, and importance of the 504 Loan Program through marketing; community and legislative outreach; educational initiatives; and resource collaboration with lending partners.  Driven by the incredible energy, passion and courage of Growth Corp’s small business clients, Sara strives to inform and empower entrepreneurs and all those who support them.

Sara has been honored to serve three terms on NADCO’s Board, during which she served as Chair of both the Legislative and PAC Committees and most recently as the Vice-Chairman of NADCO’s Board of Directors.  In these roles, she has been a member of the Executive Committee; helped coordinate PAC events and fundraising initiatives; co-hosted Legislative updates at NADCO conferences; met with leaders from all four corners of the House and Senate; served on NADCO panels as a presenter and moderator; volunteered on NADCO committees; and represented the industry in various advocacy efforts.

In addition to her time and experience at Growth Corp, Sara is the mother of three and, in her spare time, also provides freelance graphic design services to the City of Springfield and other local small businesses.  She also serves her community in other outreach and advisory roles.

Sara earned a B.S. in Marketing from Southern Illinois University.