Sara Guderyahn

Sara Guderyahn oversees external affairs and philanthropy for Wirtz Corporation, building on six years leading the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation. In this enterprise-wide role, she guides the company’s strategy for partnerships, community engagement, and philanthropic investment across the Wirtz family’s diverse portfolio of businesses. Her work focuses on aligning business priorities with meaningful community impact; strengthening relationships with civic and nonprofit leaders; and advancing initiatives that deliver measurable, lasting results.

With more than 20 years of experience spanning the government, nonprofit, and private sectors, Guderyahn has built a career centered on advancing social impact in the United States and globally. She brings deep expertise in public policy, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration, with a track record of translating complex challenges into strategic, outcome-driven solutions.

Prior to joining the Blackhawks, Guderyahn held senior leadership roles at Education Pioneers, where she supported the development of education leaders nationwide. She also spent a decade in Washington, D.C., including service in the United States Senate and at The Sheridan Group, where she led high-impact advocacy campaigns on global policy issues.

During her tenure with the Blackhawks, Guderyahn advanced the Foundation’s strategic vision and broadened its reach, redefining the role of professional sports organizations in philanthropy and civic engagement. Under her leadership, the Foundation strengthened strategic partnerships, sharpened its focus on measurable outcomes, and deepened its commitment to equity and opportunity across Chicago’s communities.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and results-driven approach, Guderyahn continues to build bridges across business, government, and nonprofit sectors — creating innovative partnerships that expand opportunity and strengthen communities.