Sarah Scharf
University of Tennessee, Haslam College of Business
“Creative, innovative public health leader strengthening systems and driving measurable community health impact.”
Hometown: New Jersey
Family Members: Husband, two kids (middle school and high school)
Fun fact about yourself: A fun fact about me is my creative side. One of my favorite ways to unwind is painting and decoupaging seashells. I enjoy designing and tend to approach problems with a more imaginative lens. I’m really drawn to the idea behind kintsugi, the Japanese art of embracing imperfections, which shows up in how I create and how I think. I’m drawn to the beauty in complexity and imperfection, where real progress happens and even the smallest details play a meaningful role in the bigger picture.
Undergraduate School and Degree:
Rutgers College-Rutgers University, BA, Psychology
Rutgers School of Public Health, MPH, Health Systems & Policy
University of South Florida, DrPH, Public Health, Advanced Practice Leadership
Where are you currently working?
Executive Director, Cancer Health Equity Center of Excellence
Rutgers Cancer Institute
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
2025 Rutgers Chancellor Leadership Award
BOLD Women’s Leadership Network at Rutgers, Advisory Board Member
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m most proud of pushing myself academically outside my comfort zone, particularly in finance and analytics. Coming in, those weren’t my strongest areas, but I committed to mastering them. By the end of the program, I was able to apply those skills confidently in both coursework and team projects.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of being brought in to build the administrative and operational foundations for the Population Sciences and Cancer Prevention and Control departments at Rutgers Cancer Institute, transforming new programs into thriving, high-growth research entities. This experience of establishing organizational infrastructure from the ground up allowed me to help architect the Cancer Health Equity Center of Excellence (CHECoE) and scale ScreenNJ into a high-impact, state-wide engine for cancer prevention, risk reduction, screening, and timely care. By managing a multi-million-dollar annual state appropriation and launching New Jersey’s first community patient navigation model, I have focused my career on transforming complex administrative strategy into tangible health equity for residents across the state.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? It’s hard to choose just one professor because Haslam has such exceptional faculty. Two that really stand out are Dr. Harris and Dr. Scott. Dr. Harris brought incredible passion and expertise to every class, and he has a talent for making complex concepts feel practical and relevant. His use of tools like PointSolutions for quick knowledge checks kept us engaged and helped reinforce learning, which was especially valuable given the fast pace of the MBA program. Dr. Scott stands out for her passion, expertise, and authenticity. She is deeply committed to our growth and created an environment where we are challenged to think critically while also feeling supported. Her genuine investment in students made a lasting impact on my experience.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose the Haslam Executive MBA because it offers a practical, hands-on approach to leadership and strategy that I can immediately apply in my work. I was also drawn to the collaborative environment, learning alongside accomplished peers challenged me to see problems from new angles and strengthened my ability to lead effectively.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The MBA has taught me the importance of thinking strategically while staying grounded in execution. I’ve applied this by approaching projects with both a long-term vision and practical steps, which have improved outcomes and helped my teams work more efficiently.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? One week that sticks in my mind was when a big board meeting, an important EMBA assignment, and family commitments all came at the same time. I remember sitting down and realizing I couldn’t do it all on my own, so I leaned on my team at work, collaborated with my EMBA peers, and asked my family for a little extra support at home. It was exhausting, but it reminded me that juggling responsibilities isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about focusing on what truly matters and trusting the people around you to help carry the load.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? My advice would be to go in with a clear sense of why you’re doing the EMBA and what you hope to get out of it. Be ready to challenge yourself, engage fully with your peers, and apply what you’re learning directly to your work. The more intentional you are, the more you’ll get out of the experience.
What was your biggest regret in business school? No regrets, though one of the most important lessons I learned was that real growth comes from pushing beyond what feels comfortable. Engaging with challenging projects and learning from peers with different viewpoints sharpened my leadership and reinforced the value of curiosity and open-mindedness.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? I’m not entirely sure how extensively it’s integrated, but from what I’ve seen, Haslam is exploring the use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Google AI, and Google Gemini in its programming. It seems like students are getting hands-on experience experimenting with AI to support smarter notetaking and synthesizing key information. They are also using it to generate ideas, streamline research, and approach problems in new ways. At the same time, they are learning the important lesson that AI is a tool to be leveraged and mastered, not a replacement for critical thinking.
What insights did you gain from using AI? One key insight I gained from using AI is how it can streamline routine tasks and make research more efficient. Tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini can help synthesize information quickly, but I also learned that human judgment is critical to interpret and apply that information effectively.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I chose an executive MBA because I wanted the structured, immersive experience of learning alongside a cohort of experienced professionals. While part-time or online programs offer flexibility, the EMBA environment allows for deeper collaboration, real-time discussions, and peer learning that I can immediately apply to my work.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed my EMBA through a combination of personal savings and employer support. To make tuition and associated costs more manageable, I also carefully budgeted for travel and materials, explored for scholarships or tuition assistance programs, and prioritized expenses to ensure I could focus fully on the program without financial stress.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? I want to continue advancing in executive leadership, taking on broader, system-level roles where I can shape strategy, influence organizational direction, and lead at scale. As an Executive Director, I’ve developed a strong foundation in leading teams and driving initiatives. After completing my EMBA, I’m looking to expand my impact by operating at a higher strategic level across organizations. I’m particularly motivated by the opportunity to influence decision-making, align complex stakeholders, and guide organizations through growth and change.
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