Sarah Riggins

Builder and stabilizer with 20+ years of leadership across association, foundation, education, certification and revenue-generating programs.

Executive

Director experienced partnering with Trustees and expert-led committees, strengthening operating systems, managing budgets and investments, growing earned and philanthropic revenue, scaling digital and in-person education, and translating technical expertise into accessible programs without compromising quality. Brings two Texas A&M agriculture degrees and a relationship-centered leadership style suited to earning trust across technical experts, instructors, volunteers, partners and distributed teams.

Director of Workforce Development at Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) (2022-09 – Present)

Lead statewide education, workforce, certification and strategic initiatives in an expert-led industry environment, connecting employers, educators, government entities, committees, volunteers and subject-matter experts.

• Oversee 170+ annual development experiences and five competency-based certification programs supporting 800+ credentialed professionals; manage the systems that move technical knowledge from experts into scalable learning and assessment.
• Built and manage digital learning pathways through PATH LMS, including certification study materials and exams, webinars, podcasts and supporting curriculum; partner with technical experts, illustrators and designers to maintain content quality and usability.
• Use participation, purchases, certification pass/fail results and program analytics to identify gaps, improve education and assessments, and inform program priorities.

Executive Director at TNLA Foundation (2019-01 – Present)

Lead Foundation strategy and operations in partnership with Trustees, including budgets, forecasting, investments, fundraising, grants, scholarships, leadership development, external partnerships and performance reporting.

• Manage approximately $1.7 million in investments and monthly financial reporting, providing disciplined stewardship and decision support while balancing mission priorities with long-term sustainability.
• Helped raise more than $100,000 in philanthropic support in under one year and administer government grant-funded initiatives with accountability for requirements, partners, resources and outcomes.
• Built and scaled Leadership Bootcamp into a 32+ hour applied program with 100 graduates, coordinating external instructors, coaches, mentors, volunteers and partners around consistent educational outcomes.

Director, Professional Growth & Communications at Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) (2021-05 – 2022-09)

Led education, certification, communications and digital engagement; delivered 70+ annual programs serving 500+ professionals and coordinated staff, volunteers, committees, vendors and subject-matter experts.

• Worked with certification committees to review and restructure programs, aligning expert content, learning materials, assessments and communications around professional competency and learner needs.

Director, TNLA & EXPO Marketing/Communications at Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) (2015-05 – 2021-05)

Directed integrated marketing, executive communications, sponsorships, partnerships, audience growth, budgets and forecasting for a statewide member organization and major industry event.

• Built year-round sponsorship partnerships generating approximately $150,000 annually through customized proposals, negotiation, activation, fulfillment and renewal - direct experience protecting and growing earned revenue.

Director, EXPO Attendee Marketing & Operations at Texas Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) (2011-05 – 2015-05)

Led strategy, marketing, partnerships and operations for a 150,000-square-foot trade show serving 5,000+ participants, coordinating exhibitors, sponsors, venues, contractors, speakers, vendors, staff and volunteers.

• Managed a $1.1 million net event P&L, forecasting, contracts, RFPs and vendor negotiations while balancing mission/member value, revenue performance, operational risk and execution.

GO TEXAN Food Marketing Coordinator at Texas Department of Agriculture (2004-01 – 2011-01)

Led statewide marketing, partnerships and trade shows supporting 900+ Texas producers and 400 restaurants; connected businesses with retailers, distributors, government, media and consumers.

Environmental Permit Assistant II at Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (2003-01 – 2004-01)

Regulatory/permitting and public administration.

Legislative Aide at Texas House of Representatives (2003-01 – 2003-01)

Agriculture and natural-resources policy research, agency and constituent coordination.

M.S. in Agricultural Education – Texas A&M University (2003-01)

B.S. in Agricultural Development – Texas A&M University (2001-01)