In Conversation with Sara Danaher Spencer
Tell us about your background:
From a young age, I’ve been driven by a passion for both fashion and people. Whether I was hunting for hidden gems in thrift stores, digging through sale racks as a teenager to score the perfect outfit, or striking up conversations with strangers to learn about their lives, I’ve always had a deep curiosity and a desire to connect. This passion led me to retail, where I began running stores and managing large teams at a young age. It was there that I found my true calling: combining my love for fashion with my love for people.
As I grew within retail—from brand rep to district leader—I quickly realized that building strong, effective teams was where I felt most fulfilled. I thrived in identifying the right talent, understanding their motivations, and helping them excel. Over time, I understood that talent acquisition isn’t just about filling roles; it’s about creating an environment where individuals can grow, thrive, and make an impact. This led me to my role as Director of Talent Acquisition for a rapidly growing brand with four sister brands. I had the opportunity to build recruitment programs and processes from the ground up—a dream job for me, since I’m always excited to take on challenges in uncharted territory.
One of my superpowers? Tackling boundary-pushing projects. A perfect example is leading the launch of an on-site daycare at Altar’d State’s home office—a project that had never been done before. I’m a hands-on leader who’s never afraid to roll up my sleeves and make things happen.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
Take all the risk and be as bold as possible. Who cares what everyone thinks, that will only hold you back.
Best career advice you've ever received?
Trust your gut! If something or someone feels off, it is.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Adaptability, Integrity, Empathy, Inspiration, Energy, Humility, Authenticity, Optimism, Problem solver.
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
Being laid off at a job that I gave my all. Picked up every project, every late night meeting, email and phone call. I worked really really hard and honestly left confused and a little lost. Having 4.5 years in direct TA and around 20ish years in retail operations finding the right role has been really challenging in the job market. I have worked since I was 14 years old, always holding multiple jobs at a young age because I truly love to work. This has forced me to slow down and really focus on what matters and set goals on what makes the most sense for my career and family.
How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?
For me, success in my career is all about the relationships I’ve built and the opportunity to help people grow. It’s deeply fulfilling to watch someone evolve and thrive, knowing I played a small part in their story. Success to me just isn't about the projects or the sales—it’s about the impact I can make, whether that’s driving the company forward or empowering others to reach their full potential. Ultimately, success is how I can positively influence those around me, helping them grow and seeing both people and businesses thrive. That’s what truly drives me.
How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?
Every job I have ever had up until now has come through networking and building relationships. I do feel like retail and even the TA world is small, we are all connected in some way.
What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?
Talk to everyone, build relationships even outside of your field. Don't be afraid to reach out to someone you want to learn from and see if they would take a few mins to share their story. Find a mentor!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradanaherspencer/
Instagram: @saraspencer_
