Sarah Abubaker (MPA ’13) stands at the front of a packedroom, her voice steady. It’s her first all-district meeting as the newly elected councilwoman for Richmond’s 4th District, and she’s determined to shake things up. “We’re going to flip this model,” she announces, signaling her ambition to transform how the government interacts with the people it serves.
It’s not just rhetoric; it’s a reflection of her guiding principles — transparency, resilience and a deep commitment to empowering others.
Born to a Libyan immigrant father and a mother from the Rust Belt town of Butler, Pennsylvania, Abubaker grew up at the intersection of two starkly different worlds. Her father, having fled an authoritarian regime, instilled in her an appreciation for democracy and the opportunities it provides. Her mother, a feminist and intellectual force, taught her to question everything and to stand unwavering in her beliefs.
“I remember being 10 years old, reading Ms. magazine with my mom,” Abubaker recalls with a laugh. “I wanted to be the first female president who ushers in global cooperation and security.” Even then, she was crafting the concepts required to lead.
After earning her undergraduate degree at James Madison University and working in state government and politics, she found herself drawn to nonprofit work in Richmond. At the Wilder School, she discovered a blend of rigorous academics and practical application. She praises faculty such as Nakeina Douglas-Glenn, Susan Gooden and Nancy Stutts, professors who didn’t simply teach theory but practiced it regularly.
While working full time, Abubaker completed the program in two years with straight A’s, a feat she now describes as “insane” but great preparation for public office.
She admits that the weight of public service, when done right, can be “overwhelming and crushing at times. But I recognize that the work of the community belongs to the community.” With that philosophy in mind, she’s reimagining how her district engages with local government. She sees herself as a facilitator and aims to provide people with the tools to advocate for themselves while she focuses on fixing systems.
"You learn by seeing, by doing and by practice … if you practice radical honesty and authenticity and choose to walk the hard path, which may mean taking it on the chin every once in a while and accepting criticism. Leaders should have to sit in criticism from those they serve — really sit in it — and say, what about that situation made them say that, and how do I grow from that?"
– Sarah Abubaker (MPA ’13)
For Abubaker, leadership isn’t about standing in the spotlight; it’s about putting her head down and doing the work. While juggling the roles of mother, communications professional and public servant, she remains grounded in the values that brought her here.
Her journey from a determined young girl flipping through feminist magazines to a city councilwoman redefining community engagement is proof that when passion meets perseverance, change is possible. And for the residents of Richmond’s 4th District, that change is just beginning.
This story originally appeared in the Spring 2025 Wilder School in Action Magazine.
