Sara Hoenes is the program associate for Defending Inclusive Democracy at the Kettering Foundation. In her role, she works closely with Damien Conners, senior program officer for Defending Inclusive Democracy, to support the foundation’s efforts by raising awareness of and responding to democracy’s greatest threats. Drawing on her background in democratic governance, inclusion, and creative programming, Hoenes manages projects related to advancing inclusive democracy, coordinating events, and fostering partnerships. 

Prior to joining the foundation, Hoenes was a program manager for citizen participation and inclusion at the National Democratic Institute, working to advance participatory and deliberative democracy and the inclusion of diverse young people in civic and political processes. She also initiated the institute’s work on arts-based and storytelling practices to elevate the voices of marginalized communities. Previously, she worked as the global manager of programs and partnerships at Accountability Lab, served as staff assistant for a United States Senator, and was senior awards coordinator for Save the Children’s department of education and child protection. Hoenes’s career in the nonprofit sector began with her experience as a cultural ambassador with Global Arts Initiative in South Africa. Afterward, she founded a dance outreach program serving marginalized pre-K students in New York City. 

Hoenes holds a BFA in dance from the University of Arizona and an MIA degree with an emphasis in international development and global governance from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. She brings the same dedication, creativity, and precision that once made her a Radio City Rockette to her work in advancing inclusive democratic systems.