THE HEART OF OPERATIONS
At Sabanto, our people are what keep things moving. In many ways, no one embodies that more than our Operations Manager, Sarah Powers. Since joining the company in 2022, Sarah has worn more hats than most, keeping daily operations, HR, and accounting running smoothly while supporting her colleagues across the company.
Sarah Powers is the go-to person at Sabanto whether you have a complex problem to solve or just need to share a quick laugh.
Guiding the Team
Sarah laughs when CEO Craig Rupp tells people she’s the person who runs the company, but there’s a lot of truth in that statement.
“I like to tell people I ‘mom’ a lot of people who work here,” she said. “My experince as a mom was actually great training for this job.” When problems come up that people aren’t sure how to solve, they usually end up at her desk.
A Balancing Act
So how does she juggle so many responsibilities?
“A lot of caffeine,” Sarah jokingly replied. “But really, it’s about prioritizing and being flexible when those priorities shift. Sometimes, my priorities for the day are completely reset by 8:30 a.m.”
That balance has been supported by Sabanto’s culture. “Craig has always made company culture a priority. He backs me up when I need to set boundaries, and that’s made a huge difference.”
Behind the Scenes
While her work often happens in the background, Sarah knows it’s critical to keeping the company moving forward. From regulatory compliance to insurance to taxes, she handles the essential details of running a business.
“It’s validating to know that Craig recognizes what I do,” Sarah shared. “There are a lot of plates spinning in the background, and if one falls, they all fall. I’ve taken on the tasks that I can so he can focus on guiding the company.”
Life at Sabanto
Sarah describes Sabanto as “cutting-edge, intense, and collaborative.” But it’s the people that stand out the most to her.
“If someone needs help, there’s never a question. Everyone jumps in,” she said.
Working in agtech means every day brings something new. “There’s no roadmap for startups or how to make an autonomous tractor work,” she explained. “Mistakes will happen, but what matters is asking, ‘What did we learn, and how do we avoid it next time?’ That’s what makes it interesting and keeps us coming back the next day.”
Keeping Operations on Track
Sarah Powers may laugh when people say she “runs the company,” but there’s no denying her impact. With her sense of humor and a deep knowledge of Sabanto’s inner workings, she’s been an integral part of the company’s culture and operations since joining the team.
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