Ithaca Children’s Garden is thrilled to welcome Sarah Marquart as our new Marketing and Communications Coordinator! With a decade of experience in journalism, content strategy, and marketing, Sarah has worked with organizations ranging from top tech companies to global non-profits — all while staying deeply connected to her passion for sustainability and community impact.

Her career began in fundraising at Keuka College before she transitioned into digital media, helping to build Futurism into a major science and technology publication. From reporting on rocket launches at NASA to leading multi-channel campaigns for brands like Porsche and IBM, Sarah’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

Now, she’s bringing her expertise — and her love for the environment — to ICG, where she’ll help share our mission of inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. We sat down with Sarah to learn more about her career, what brought her to ICG, and what excites her most about this new chapter.

You began your career in fundraising. How did that experience shape your approach to marketing and communications?

One of my first jobs after earning my B.A. in English was in Keuka College’s Marketing department, where I served as the Development Writer. In this role, I led the creation of all communication materials for the college’s $30 million comprehensive outreach campaign — from donor profiles and magazine features to web content and annual reports. This experience gave me an understanding of how to tailor messaging to different audiences — whether speaking to major donors, alumni, or students.

At the same time, I was working on my master’s in Management, focusing my research on what motivates young alumni — those who graduated within the last decade — to give. It reinforced something I was learning on the job: one size does not fit all. The messaging that resonates with first-time donors in their 20s is vastly different from what moves a longtime supporter to deepen their commitment.

Fundraising taught me to be strategic, audience-focused, and mission-driven in my approach — something I’ve carried into all my work since. At ICG, I’m excited to use these skills to connect more people with the team’s incredible work.

What inspired you to transition from development communications to science and tech journalism?

I’ve always been fascinated by the world around me. As a kid, I spent hours watching ants and pill bugs move, staying up for midnight meteor showers, and asking endless questions about how things worked. That curiosity, paired with my love of writing, led me to start freelancing as a science writer — covering everything from artificial intelligence to the growing climate crisis. My goal was (and still is!) to make complex topics more accessible, helping people connect with science in a way that feels exciting and relevant.

That passion eventually opened the door to a full-time role in Brooklyn, where I joined Futurism, a growing science and technology media publication, as the Managing Editor.

At Futurism, you worked at the intersection of media, technology, and science. What were some of the most exciting moments from that time? 

I was always most excited about covering stories at the frontier of outer space and sustainability. I covered rocket launches on the ground from the Kennedy Space Center, worked with former Vice President Al Gore to promote the sequel to An Inconvenient Truth, and spoke at the U.N. about the stigmatization of nuclear weapons. I was with the company for five years, and our small team achieved a lot during that time — including multi-million dollar product launches, a feature-length documentary, and a successful book publication.

What inspired you to join Ithaca Children’s Garden as its Marketing and Communications Coordinator?

At the tail end of my time at Futurism, the company was acquired, and in the fall of 2020, I decided to step away — not just from the job, but from Brooklyn too — for a fresh start. I moved back to the Finger Lakes, closer to family, to reflect on what I truly wanted from my career.

I’d loved working in science and technology media, but I realized I wanted to be part of an organization making a direct, tangible impact. I’d been thinking about shifting into the nonprofit space, particularly one focused on experiential education, sustainability, and inclusivity. ICG embodies all of that — and more.

Ultimately, I wanted my work to feel meaningful and connected to the real world. I wanted to be part of an organization that doesn’t just talk about sustainability but actively practices it, showing kids and families how to care for nature and, in turn, for each other. That’s what drew me to ICG: the chance to contribute to something hands-on, joyful, and rooted in community. It’s the kind of place I wish had existed when I was a kid, and I’m grateful to help create those opportunities for the next generation.

Do you have a favorite play memory from your childhood?

Many of my favorite play memories involve my grandparents’ sprawling backyard, which was full of tulips, puddles, trees, and steep hills. My grandpa loved giving us random materials and letting us get creative — from giant refrigerator boxes that became sleds for the hills to ropes we’d use to rig up pulley systems. There was always so much potential in what ‘treasures’ Papa might offer you from his workshop.

What’s your favorite part of the Garden?

It’s tough to choose! I always make a beeline for the hens and rabbits — I love animals. But as someone who’s really into vegetable/herb gardening, I also have a soft spot for the Kitchen Garden. There’s something great about watching kids explore, try new flavors, and learn how to gently care for plants as they grow. The best part is seeing their shocked faces when they dig up a huge sweet potato — it never gets old.

When you’re not working, where can we usually find you?

As long as I’m outside, I’m happy! I love kayaking and paddleboarding — last year, I took an incredible trip through Silver Springs in Florida and even paired it with a couple of hang-gliding flights. Living in Ithaca, I make the most of the hiking trails and waterfalls right in my backyard. When I’m not outdoors, I’m usually creating — whether it’s illustrating new doodles for my space website, From Quarks to Quasars, or experimenting in the kitchen, cooking meals for friends. I also dedicate time to volunteering at the local SPCA and fostering dogs.