Sarah Guldalian

Executive Director

Sarah Guldalian is grateful to serve as Executive Director for The Rooted Sisters™.

As a Christian business owner herself, Sarah has been blessed through this Godly sisterhood in nearly every way. She has especially seen growth in her walk with the Lord and maturity in leadership since joining The Rooted Sisters in 2017. This is why she is extremely passionate about this community where professional women come together to study the Word of God, grow in their faith in Christ, and learn to lead others to do the same. Through this fellowship of women, she personally found much-needed support and strength.

Sarah has had the blessing of attending the Christian Business Women’s Breakfast since inception, contributing as a volunteer, sponsor, author, and, ultimately, as Executive Producer of The Christian Business Women’s Breakfast. And, in January of 2024, Sarah became Executive Director of The Rooted Sisters.

Sarah is a Telly & AVA award-winning marketer and producer of 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. Her personal mission is to inspire, encourage, and evangelize to the world through her gifts in writing, marketing, and communications.

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, which has included producing and marketing events with Christian speakers such as Tim Tebow, Dr. Ben Carson, and Joyce Meyer.

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.

Cindy Owens, MPA

Co-Founder

Cindy Owens brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership rooted in strategic innovation, operational excellence, and building mission-driven cultures. She currently serves as principal for Strategic Philanthropy Advisors.  

Cindy’s executive career includes regional CEO roles with the American Red Cross, American Lung Association and UCP Heartland, where she also played a national role in transforming business models, integrating systems, and leading high-impact initiatives. Her accomplishments span across: strategic planning, organizational redesign, mergers and post-merger integrations, centralized operational functions, and development system overhauls. 

As CEO of the American Red Cross of Missouri & Arkansas, Cindy led a team of over 2,000 staff and volunteers. Under her leadership, the region’s revenue grew from $6M to over $28M through diversified funding and strategic partnerships. She guided the consolidation of 11 chapters across four states, forming one of the largest Red Cross regions in the country. Cindy also supported national Red Cross efforts by serving in large-scale disaster leadership roles, representing the organization on a White House panel on Building Resilient Communities, and helping secure $85M in federal funding from HHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Earlier in her career, as CEO of the American Lung Association of New York, Cindy led a financial turnaround, securing $2.5M in city funding, and reducing pediatric asthma hospitalizations through citywide coalitions. She was instrumental in advocating for the largest tobacco tax increase in U.S. history at that time. 

In consulting roles with Innolect and The Rensselaerville Institute, Cindy supported nonprofit and corporate  clients in strategic planning, organizational development, and high-stakes change management—driving measurable, sustainable results. 

Most recently, Cindy co-founded and led The Rooted Sisters, a national network of Christian women business leaders. As CEO, she developed a scalable nonprofit structure, expanded to 13 markets, and grew its annual conference to over 800 attendees. 

Cindy has served on several nonprofit and corporate boards and has lectured at Washington University and Saint Louis University. She holds a MPA and has studied at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and in London. 

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.