Sarah Jeno

Sarah Jeno joined the Leeds Advancement Team in March 2023, bringing her passion for transformative philanthropy and a track record of success in higher education fundraising. With CU Advancement since 2021—where she first served as a Development Director with the Buff Club—Sarah now leads as Senior Director of Development for the Leeds School of Business. In this role, she champions creative and dynamic fundraising strategies to connect donors with philanthropic opportunities that empower students, support faculty, and spark meaningful change. 

With over 16 years of experience in advancement, Sarah has cultivated a reputation for building equitable giving relationships and aligning donor passions with impactful initiatives. Before her time at CU, she worked with the Colorado Community College System Foundation and spearheaded major giving efforts at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), where she played a pivotal role in a $30 million capital campaign. Sarah’s early career included leading grassroots fundraising for the League of Women Voters and driving development for the Rhode Island Zoological Society. 

A proud Westerner, Sarah grew up in Twin Falls, Idaho and spent years working with nonprofits on the East Coast before making Colorado her home in 2019. She earned her MBA from the University of Colorado Denver with a focus on Business Strategy and Sustainability, complementing her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Frostburg State University in Maryland. 

When she’s not connecting with donors, Sarah enjoys traveling the abroad, paddle boarding Colorado’s scenic lakes with her husband Ty and their energetic German shorthaired pointer, Mabel, or spending time with her nieces and nephews.