Sara Van Sant
About Sara Van Sant
Sara Van Sant is a Senior NPI Program Manager at Sunrun, with a background in engineering and program management across various companies including Apple and Auria. She holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S.E in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Current Role at Sunrun
Sara Van Sant serves as a Senior NPI Program Manager at Sunrun, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she is responsible for managing new product introduction processes, ensuring that projects align with company goals and meet market demands. Her expertise in program management contributes to the successful launch of innovative solar energy solutions.
Previous Experience at Apple
Before joining Sunrun, Sara worked at Apple as an NPI Operations Program Manager from 2020 to 2022. During her tenure, she focused on streamlining operations and enhancing product launch strategies. Her work at Apple involved collaboration across various teams to ensure timely and efficient product introductions.
Educational Background
Sara Van Sant earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completing her studies from 2018 to 2019. Prior to her MBA, she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan, where she studied from 2008 to 2012. Her education has provided her with a strong foundation in both engineering and business principles.
Career Path and Previous Roles
Sara's career includes significant roles at Auria, where she worked as a Program Launch Manager from 2014 to 2016, followed by positions as an Engineering Program Manager from 2016 to 2020, and as a Product Engineer II from 2012 to 2020. Her diverse experience in program management and engineering has equipped her with valuable skills applicable to various industries.
Internship Experience
In 2011, Sara completed a two-month internship at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey, as part of the CIBE program. This experience allowed her to gain international exposure and apply her engineering knowledge in a different cultural context.