NEWSROOM
Newsroom

Salem Area Red Cross Promotes Sanner To Executive Director
Print E-mail 

Lise Harwin
 
October 15, 2010
From hurricanes to floods, Margaret Sanner's extensive experience helping the American Red Cross respond to disasters across the country makes her the perfect choice to lead the organization's Willamette Chapter in Salem. Sanner, who has worked for the Willamette Chapter as a public information officer since 2004 and has been with the Red Cross since 2001, will now serve as executive director, a role that she has filled on an interim basis since July 2010.

"Margaret understands the Red Cross at every level," said Maree Wacker, Regional Executive for the Oregon Red Cross. "She's been a member of the national public affairs team, has helped grow our blood donation program, and has been instrumental in developing community support for the Willamette Chapter. Without question, her strong leadership skills and organizational knowledge will be of great value in addressing our opportunities ahead."

In her new position, Sanner will lead the Willamette Chapter, which serves Lincoln, Marion and Polk counties. As executive director, she will be responsible for achieving annual fundraising goals and cultivating major donors; increasing public awareness of the Red Cross; and working with the local Board of Directors to develop and implement a strategic financial plan.

Prior to her work with the Red Cross, Sanner served as office manager for Interiors by House of Design, and as general manager for the Art Décor Gallery. She is also a CERT trainer for Polk County, has been involved as a lead volunteer with the Muscular Dystrophy Association's outdoor camp for youth, and served as a volunteer in the YMCA's Nite Court program in the late 1990s.

Said Sanner, "I am excited to expand our relationships in the community. I can't imagine anything more exciting than offering people a local connection to the largest humanitarian network in the world. Our work touches everyone in one way or another."

###

In Oregon, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disaster every 20 hours; supplies more than 90 percent of Oregon's blood; teaches thousands of Oregonians lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.oregonredcross.org or join our award-winning blog at www.oregonredcross.org/blog.