Destination Ann Arbor announced today that Sarah Miller has been named as the new President & CEO.  Sarah, who has been serving as Interim President & CEO since August 2022, will succeed Mary Kerr, who retired in July after 27 years with the organization. Sarah’s appointment was a result of an extensive national search conducted by Searchwide Global and approved by a hiring committee comprised of Destination Ann Arbor board members.

Sarah has been an integral part of Destination Ann Arbor since 2001, where she served as the Finance Administrator through 2009. From there, she spent the next 10 years as the Vice President of Finance & Administration. In this position, Sarah managed all financial and operational aspects of the organization, created a finance oversight committee, and played an integral role in the unification of the Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Ypsilanti Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. In 2019, Sarah was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, leading Destination Ann Arbor through a tumultuous period of uncertainty. She developed a COVID response plan to keep the organization solvent, despite losing over 60% of annual revenue. In addition, Sarah was instrumental in the creation of various partnership programs, elevating Destination Ann Arbor’s position as a community advocate and economic generator.

Her appointment as President & CEO was enthusiastically supported by the Destination Ann Arbor Board of Directors. Michael Weber, Vice President of Weber’s Boutique Hotel and outgoing 2022 Board Chair shared, “We are thrilled to welcome Sarah as our new CEO and are excited for her leadership and impact at Destination Ann Arbor.” Incoming 2023 Board Chair, Barry LaRue, added, “We look forward to Sarah’s leadership. Her enthusiasm for Washtenaw County is infectious.  I know the entire board and staff are energized to present and promote our community in creative and exciting ways!”.

Sarah’s achievements go well beyond her duties at Destination Ann Arbor. Over the years, she has shown her commitment to the Washtenaw County community through her active involvement in several board positions and planning committees, including Main Street Area Association, A2Y Chamber of Commerce, University of Michigan Natural History Museum, South & West Washtenaw Consortium, and Michigan Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, among others.

A lifelong resident of Washtenaw County, Sarah’s passion for the area runs deep, evident by the knowledge and enthusiasm she brings to her job each day. “I’m proud to be able to contribute to an organization that supports economic growth and vitality in our community. Throughout the last 32 years, I have had the privilege of either working in or attending school in almost every community in our county. I’m looking forward to supporting the home I love through the mission of Destination Ann Arbor.”, says Sarah Miller.

Destination Ann Arbor is a 501 (c)6 not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote Washtenaw County as a destination for leisure and business travel and to elevate economic vitality and quality of life for those who live and work here. www.annarbor.org