DBT40 Honoree: Sarah LaFave of University of Delaware

Photo by Ron Dubick

AGE: 27
TITLE: Coordinator for Service & Experiential Learning/Co-Founder and CEO
COMPANY: University of Delaware College of Health Sciences/Lori’s Hands
CITY: Newark

What the nominator said: “Sarah LaFave is an exemplary professional dedicated to envisioning and affecting change in the state of Delaware. Her accomplishments and distinguishing characteristics set her apart, and she is the founder of Lori’s Hands Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit service learning organization that transforms students’ understanding of community health by matching them with community-dwelling individuals with chronic illness.”

Social media platform you can’t live without: Facebook has been a great tool to help Lori’s Hands Inc. reach supporters, stay connected with our students and alumni, and foster new partnerships.

Best career advice you ever got: One of our Lori’s Hands board members has taught me not to be apologetic when asking the community to give to our nonprofit. He often reminds me that asking for time, money, or other support may be the opportunity someone is looking for to give back and make a local impact.

Two words that best describe you: Upstream swimmer.

If you were in charge of Delaware: There are so many innovative things happening in our state, but there’s potential for those efforts to be better connected. I’d love to institute mechanisms that would foster more cross-sector collaborations.

In one sentence, define “success.” I think success is getting to do something every day that 1) you’re good at; 2) fulfills you; and 3) improves the lives of other people.