Biography
Sara Payne Scarbro is a proud alumna of Marshall University, where she studied journalism with a concentration in public relations, along with political science. Her passion for public service and storytelling took root early launching her career in public relations, serving in roles as chief event planner, project manager and official spokesperson.
At just 24, Sara began her career in public service. She went on to serve in both state and federal government, rising through the ranks in the communications offices of two West Virginia governors before becoming a senior advisor to a U.S. Senator.
After more than a decade in government service, Sara returned to her alma mater, first joining the Marshall University Research Corporation as Associate Vice President for External Engagement. In this role, she led strategic partnerships and cultivated meaningful connections across community, business, education, and government sectors, strengthening the university’s role as a statewide leader in innovation and collaboration.
In 2023, President Brad D. Smith ask Sara to join the Government Relations team and serve as the chief liaison to state government.
Awards & Honors
- 2010: PRSA West Virginia Public Relations Practitioner of the Year
- 2013: The State Journal’s Generation Next: 40 Under 40
- 2022: West Virginia Executive Magazine’s “Young Guns” Honoree
- 2022: Appalachian Regional Commission, Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellow
- 2024: Small Communities, Big Solutions Visionary Legacy Award
Deeply committed to West Virginia, Sara serves on several boards, including the West Virginia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the Cabell County Schools Foundation, and the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation. She’s also a proud homeroom mom. She and her husband, Derek, and daughter, Willa, reside in Cabell County.