Sara Madsen Miller shares her journey from pursuing a business degree to working at Pfizer and eventually becoming the COO of 1820 Productions. She highlights the importance of mentorship and the role it played in her early years. Sara also discusses the challenges she faced leading a team of men and the strategies she used to navigate that space. She emphasizes the significance of creating a strong company culture and how it contributes to the success of 1820 Productions. In this conversation, Sara Madsen Miller, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Producer for 1820 Productions, an Emmy award-winning production company, discusses the unique and encouraging environment her company creates for its clients and employees. She emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for women and diversity in the television and film industry. Sara also highlights the value of kindness, understanding, and feedback in the workplace, drawing from her own experiences and mentorship. She shares lessons from her mentors and the significance of building a positive reputation. Sara encourages the next generation to promote themselves, seek leadership opportunities, and learn about artificial intelligence. She finds inspiration in work ethic, great stories, and continuous learning.

1820 creatively and strategically helps businesses drive market share and brand awareness by developing visual content to uniquely fit every need.

Sara has developed and executive produced hit television shows, compelling documentaries, and prize-winning commercials. Through 1820, she has partnered with large clients like Frito-Lay, Toyota and Mastercard, collaborated with advertising agencies such as GSP, Edelman and The Richards Group as well as created programming content for television networks including ABC, BET and DISCOVERY. 1820’s expertise has helped clients win multiple Emmy Awards and Gold Addy Awards.

Prior to joining 1820 Productions, Madsen Miller had 14 years of executive leadership with Pfizer Inc. managing portfolios of over $750 million. As a result of her keen management, strategic business approach and communication skills, Sara won numerous leadership and sales awards including the Vice President’s Management Club for the top 10% of managers. She received both a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication as well as Business and Public Administration Degree from Drake University and Executive Education from Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business.

Sara’s service in the community includes Board Member Dallas Regional Chamber, Board Member AT&T Performing Arts Center Endowment Board, Board Member Housing Forward and Advisory Council for the TWU Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership. She’s been honored with a number of civic awards including the Dallas Business Journal Women in Business Award and the American Advertising Federation’s Shining Star Award.

Madsen Miller lives in Dallas with her husband and best dog ever Zoë.

Book Recommendations:

Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office, Lois Frankel
What Color is My Parachute?, Richard Bolles
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than They Expect, Will Guidara
How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth, Meg Bowles

Contact Sara:

Website/Social info:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-madsen-miller-8746586/

Instagram: @sara.madsenmiller

Company Website: https://1820productions.com/

The Living Embodiment Of An Exclamation Point: Sara Madsen Miller

50% with Marcylle Combs: Women in Leadership

The Living Embodiment Of An Exclamation Point: Sara Madsen Miller