Sarah Carnes, Chief Operating Officer at Lift Division

Lift Division Chief Operating Officer & Savor Columbia Creative Director in Columbia, MO

Sarah Carnes is an award-winning Chief Operating Officer at Lift Division and Creative Director at Savor Columbia with over 14 years of experience in marketing and design. She is known for her talent and passion in branding, design, art direction and creative direction.

Sarah Carnes has an extensive background in leadership and operations, and what it takes to turn creative collaboration into strategic marketing results. She inspires, leads and works alongside a team of web designers, graphic designers, photographers and videographers in Columbia, MO.

About Sarah Carnes

A creative and passionate individual, Sarah is committed to forging meaningful connections for brands through strategic marketing initiatives. As an adept leader, they lead marketing teams and execute projects with professionalism, aiming to surpass expectations.

EXPERIENCE

Professionally, she has served as the Chief Operating Officer at Lift Division in Columbia, MO since 2020, where they manage operations and lead marketing strategies encompassing web development, design, and social media. Their leadership has contributed to winning multiple branding and design awards for clients like Carlos Santana Coffee Company and Brassy Bird. They have also achieved personal recognition with over 15 design awards.

Previously, as the Director of Marketing at Fresh Ideas Food Service Management in Columbia, MO, they directed marketing and branding strategies, aiding in the company's growth within the food service management sector. Their role included mentoring a marketing team and managing collaborations with external creatives. At Westminster College in Fulton, MO, they revamped the college's visual brand as a Multimedia Designer. Their tenure at Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan in Jefferson City, MO involved producing print and web materials, focusing on branding and identity design. In earlier roles, they gained experience in prepress and print production as a Graphic Designer at Brake Printing in Columbia, MO.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Stephens College (Columbia, MO)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design, Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, KY)
• Graphic Design, Eastern High School (Louisville, KY)
  

COMMUNITY

Sarah regularly mentors, collaborates and provides professional leadership at Stephens College, University of Missouri and William Woods University.

AWARDS

• Third Place, United Methodist Association of Communicators (Print), MO Annual Conference Magazine (2023)
• Second Place, United Methodist Association of Communicators (Digital), MO Annual Conference Magazine (2023)
• American Graphic Design Award from GD USA, Boone Health Website Design (2020)
• American Graphic Design Award from GD USA, Lotus Hot Yoga Branding & Identity (2020)
• American Graphic Design Award from GD USA, Carlos Santana Coffee Company Website Design (2020)
• American Graphic Design Award from GD USA, Brassy Bird Branding & Identity (2019)
• American Graphic Design Award from GD USA, Sales Proposal (2018)
• Second Place Annual Conference Magazine (Print), United Methodist Association of Communicators (2018)
• American In-House Design Award from GD USA, Product Packaging for PureFit (2017)
• American In-House Design Award from GD USA, Identity Systems Category for FreshX (2016)
• Second Place Annual Conference Magazine (Print), United Methodist Association of Communicators (2014)
• Second Place Annual Conference Magazine (Web), United Methodist Association of Communicators (2014)
• DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial, Regional Magazine Award of Excellence (2014)
• 1^st Place Annual Conference Magazine, United Methodist Association of Communicators (2013)
• American In-House Design Award, GD USA (2011)
• ADDY Award | Gold, Silver & Bronze (2007)
• ADDY Award | Bronze (2006)