Sara Schmidt
About Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at US Foods. With extensive experience in information security and a strong commitment to advocating for women in technology, she has held various leadership roles in the industry.
Current Role at US Foods
Sara Schmidt serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at US Foods. She has held this position since 2022. In her role, she is responsible for overseeing the company's information security strategy and ensuring the protection of sensitive data. Her leadership in this capacity is crucial for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of information within the organization.
Previous Experience at Farmers Insurance
Sara Schmidt has extensive experience at Farmers Insurance, where she held multiple roles. She served as the Chief Information Security Officer from 2019 to 2022, overseeing the company's information security initiatives. Prior to that, she was the Director of Governance, Risk, and Compliance - Information Security from 2017 to 2019, and the Business Information Security Officer from 2015 to 2017. Her tenure at Farmers Insurance contributed to strengthening the organization's security posture.
Background in Information Security
Sara Schmidt has a solid background in information security, having worked in various capacities prior to her roles at Farmers Insurance and US Foods. She was the Information Security Governance Manager at Perrigo from 2013 to 2015 and an Information Security Engineer III from 2011 to 2013. Earlier in her career, she worked at the United States Department of Defense as a Branch Chief and Network Vulnerability Analyst from 2004 to 2011, where she focused on network security and vulnerability assessments.
Education and Expertise
Sara Schmidt holds a Master's degree in Applied and Computational Mathematics from The Johns Hopkins University, which she completed from 2004 to 2006. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Aquinas College - Grand Rapids from 1999 to 2003. Her educational background provides her with a strong foundation in analytical and technical skills essential for her roles in information security.
Advocacy and Mentorship in Cyber Security
Sara Schmidt is an advocate for women in information technology, particularly in the field of information security. She co-founded the Farmers Insurance Women in Cyber Security affiliate, aiming to promote diversity in the industry. Furthermore, she actively mentors women and collaborates with girls in STEM programs, encouraging their development and interest in technology-related fields.