Sarah Malchow, CFRE

Chief Administrative Officer, Cedar Community

Sarah Malchow serves as chief administrative officer at Cedar Community, where she oversees sales, marketing, philanthropy, independent living, volunteer engagement, wellbeing, salon and spa, and fine dining. She has served Cedar Community for seven years.

Sarah brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience across international mission and humanitarian work, higher education, social impact and innovation, political campaigns and finance, and senior living. Her work is shaped by a “service over self” mindset, grounded in her Christian faith and commitment to servant leadership.

At Cedar Community, Sarah has helped lead major philanthropy, marketing, sales, and campus enhancement initiatives. Her work includes the formation of the Carl Ziegler Scholarship endowment, the establishment of the Partners In Caring board-designated benevolent endowment, the relaunch of Cedar Community’s philanthropy efforts in 2019, and the 2023 brand and marketing refresh.

She also helped lead occupancy stabilization efforts for The Lofts at Cedar Lake and The Willows at Cedar Lake, as well as donor-funded improvements including the Joy Garden, Cedar Ridge wellbeing space refresh and lobby renovations, Beach House renovation, and the Art and Recreation Complex on the Cedar Lake Campus.

Sarah is a certified fundraising executive and holds several certifications from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Administration.

She was named 2021 Fundraiser of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Southeastern Wisconsin and received the 2026 Influencer in Aging Award from Interfaith of Washington County. She is a frequent speaker on fundraising, philanthropy, narrative storytelling, brand positioning, and nonprofit leadership, with speaking experience through LeadingAge Wisconsin, LeadingAge National, and other professional forums.

Sarah currently serves as vice chair of the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce and is active in professional, church, and nonprofit mentoring communities. Through her leadership, she supports Cedar Community’s mission by strengthening relationships, advancing philanthropy, and helping create meaningful experiences for residents, families, donors, and team members.