Cindy Owens

Co-Founder

Cindy Owens co-founded six years ago after searching in St. Louis to find a place where women business leaders of faith could come together to educate, equip and empower one another to live out their faith in the workplace. This includes bible study, discipleship, business forums, and immersion leadership opportunities.

Through God’s calling, The Rooted Sisters™ launched the Christian Business Women’s Breakfast in 2017 and they have seen it grow from 325 women to over 600 in 2020. Also in 2020, the ministry received its nonprofit 501(c)(3) status.  Today, God is expanding their impact and influence by growing the ministry territory in 13 different markets including Nashville, Charlotte, Dallas, West Palm, Los Angeles and Shanghai, its first international member.

Cindy served as CEO for the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas. She was responsible for Red Cross Humanitarian and blood collection services with over 2000 staff and volunteers which served more than 10.7 million people.  Under her leadership, the region was one of the country’s top performing Red Cross regions with revenues exceeding $28 million.  In 2017, she was recognized with the American Red Cross President’s National Award for Excellence. And in 2012, she was recognized for her local successes in emergency preparedness and was invited to sit on a White House Building Resilient Communities panel.

Cindy began her career at the Red Cross as CEO of the St. Louis Area Chapter in 2009. She navigated the organization through three organizational restructurings and regional expansions, first merging seven area chapters into the Red Cross of Eastern Missouri, then realigning Eastern and Western Missouri and Arkansas into the new Missouri and Arkansas Region.

Prior to the Red Cross, she worked as a Senior Associate and Vice President of Client Services for Innolect, Inc., an organizational development and coaching firm. She supported clients including Cricket Communications, Tenet HealthCare, Liz Claiborne and Sony.

Prior to Innolect, Cindy spent 14 years working in various leadership roles for the American Lung Association. During her tenure as CEO in New York City, she created “Operation Return Home” after the tragic events of September 11. The program educated 10,000 New York City residents and rescuers about lung health.

Cindy has served as a board member and volunteer on several non-profits and for-profit organizations.  She has been a guest lecturer at Washington University and St. Louis University in St. Louis.  In addition to her master’s in public administration, Cindy has studied at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and in London at an Imperial College affiliated program.

Sarah Guldalian

Executive Director

Sarah Guldalian feels incredibly blessed and called by God to serve as Executive Director for The Rooted Sisters™. As a Christian business owner of 10+ years herself, Sarah is passionate about this community where women business leaders of faith come together to study the Word of God, grow in their faith in Christ, and learn to lead others to do the same.

Sarah began attending the Rooted Sisters Bible Study in 2017 as Owner & CEO of a Christian creative agency. Through this fellowship of women, she found much-needed support that helped strengthen and encourage her spiritually, professionally, and personally.

Sarah has also attended the Christian Business Women’s Breakfast from the onset. She has contributed as a volunteer, sponsor, and as a contributing author for our “Come to the Table” Journal. In 2023, she became Producer and Director of the Christian Business Women’s Breakfast, as well as Bible Study co-host for the Chesterfield Hub with Lisa Nichols. And in January of 2024, Sarah became Executive Director for The Rooted Sisters.

Sarah is a Telly & AVA award-winning marketer and producer of nearly 25 years. She is passionate about using her vocational gifts to glorify God which she has done throughout her career by advancing the mission of ministries and Christian businesses.

Sarah attended Drake University where she earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism & Mass Communication with a major in Broadcasting. She worked in television and advertising for ABC, WB-TV, and Emmis Communications, where she served as an assistant producer, an account executive, and in promotions. Once recognizing her heart for Christian outreach, she made a shift to focusing on evangelistic organizations.

She has owned three Christian marketing agencies – Top Notch Brand Company, Rhino Hyde Productions, and Semi-Gloss Marketing – all of which have had an emphasis on advancing the mission of ministries, in addition to serving Fortune 5 companies, such as United Healthcare. She has had the blessing of serving as a leader for Lutheran Hour Ministries, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Pathfinder Church, Valley Church, and Grace Church STL.

Since 2005, Sarah has also been a Christian speaker and producer in the United States and Canada on the topics of Evangelism, Community Outreach, Digital Outreach, and Inner Healing. She produces and speaks at national Christian conferences, churches, Women’s events, and professional events.

Above all things, Sarah identifies herself as a daughter to the King, wife to Justin, and mom to two beautiful children.

Lorraine Heywood

Chapter Chair, Houston

Lorraine Heywood is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Augustine Talent Group (ATG), a premier executive search firm based in Houston, TX. In 2022, after 16 years of envisioning her dream, she made it a reality by launching ATG. The name carries a deeper meaning—”Always Trust God”—a reflection of the company’s mission to connect people with opportunities through integrity and excellence. Rooted in faith, Lorraine leads with purpose, ensuring that ATG’s approach to recruitment is not just about filling roles but transforming lives.

Beyond her professional success, Lorraine is deeply committed to serving her community. She co-founded Step-Up Houston, a nonprofit focused on community empowerment, and was a founding member of Direct Hope, which provides critical support to individuals in need. Her life experiences have shaped her unwavering dedication to uplifting others, a passion that ultimately led her to The Rooted Sisters.

Lorraine’s journey with The Rooted Sisters began in January 2024 when a colleague introduced her to Liz O’Keefe. From their first conversation, there was an undeniable God connection, and a sisterhood was born. Liz invited Lorraine to join The Rooted Sisters’ Friday prayer calls, a transformative experience that deepened her faith. Inspired, Lorraine attended the Mastermind Retreat, where she fell in love with the mission, vision, and the incredible women of the organization.

However, it was at the 2024 Women’s Breakfast that Lorraine felt a clear divine calling—to bring The Rooted Sisters to Houston. True to her nature as a woman of action, she wasted no time. On her way home, she reached out to Lisa Nichols and Sarah Guldalian, rallying them to help bring this powerful movement to the phenomenal women of Houston.

Lorraine’s journey is a testament to faith, leadership, and service—guiding others toward opportunities, purpose, and God’s unwavering light.