About
As a national advocate for military and Veteran communities, Sarah Verardo's incomparable passion and drive to support wounded Veterans can be connected to her vast experience with her husband, Michael Verardo. At the heart of her work is the story of Michael’s catastrophic combat injuries in Afghanistan in 2010 – in two separate IED attacks that took his left leg, and much of his left arm, and left him with poly-traumatic conditions that have required more than one hundred surgeries and years of speech, visual, physical, and occupational therapies.
Sarah’s steadfast devotion, experience, and unwavering commitment led to her being named The Independence Fund’s first Chief Executive Officer. The Independence Fund is a nationally reaching not-for-profit organization dedicated to restoring the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual independence of wounded Veterans. Since 2011, The Independence Fund has given away more than 2,600 all-terrain track chairs to wounded Veterans in need through its hallmark mobility program.
In her role, Sarah has also given voice to the work and grit of Caregivers who shoulder the scars of war back home, knowing that only when a family is healed can an individual be whole.
Sarah's personal experiences have fueled her dedication to causes close to her heart. Her unparalleled dedication to implementing change and amplifying the voices of those who need to be heard have made her a cornerstone of national and international organizations alike.
Another Way
Her work at The Independence Fund has been highlighted by innovative, solutions-first programming. Sarah knew that true mental and emotional restoration for Veterans carrying unique trauma could only be achieved by re-establishing the bonds of brotherhood forged on the front lines. Compelled by grief and frustration at the funeral of another Veteran lost to suicide, she knew there must be another way. Her first-of-its-kind Operation Resiliency program was founded in partnership with federal agencies and provides multi-day retreats where combat units gather in their original formation and do the hardest work: Admitting that it’s okay not to be okay.
In 2021, the state of North Carolina voted unanimously to commemorate annually April 24 each year as Wounded Heroes Day in honor of Sgt. Michael Verardo. April 24 is Michael’s Alive Day – the anniversary of his survival in the face of wounds classified “death imminent.”
Spurred by a desire to “be the somebody” Sarah has long been at the forefront of Afghan Ally inclusion within the Veteran community. Beginning in 2015, she began working closely with the Afghan government to honor and celebrate the sacrifices made by Veterans in both nations. Establishing regular events at the US-based Afghan Embassy, Sarah facilitated key partnerships that allowed American combat Veterans, their Afghan partners, Gold Star families, and Veteran Caregivers the opportunity to find solace on Afghan soil in the United States. The Independence Fund welcomed Afghan combat interpreters to join its Operation Resiliency retreats in 2019.
Compelled by the Federal administration’s move to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in the spring of 2021, Sarah kickstarted an effort in July to open The Independence Fund’s programs criteria to all Special Immigrant Visa recipients living in the US. Because of this advocacy, The Independence Fund was the first national VSO to include combat interpreters in Veteran programming. As the withdrawal escalated, she created the Allies program at The Independence Fund, offering SIV holders financial assistance, and all Afghans navigation of available resources. Working again with USG federal agency partners, Sarah piloted a program to rapidly deploy assistance and resources to Afghans arriving in the United States.
Vital & Inspiring
In a move that was at once vital and inspiring, the August 2021 collapse of Afghanistan led Verardo and three others to co-found the direct-response rescue and aid organization Save Our Allies (SOA). Since then, SOA has evacuated more than 17,000 US citizens, SIV holders, and wartime Allies from Afghanistan. Their harrowing efforts are captured in the Amazon Prime documentary, Send Me. Among the thousands of stories of hope that emerged from the rescue operations, the closest to Sarah’s heart was the rescue of Michael’s combat interpreter, Johnny. With efforts led by Sarah and Senator Thom Tillis, Johnny and his family arrived safely in America where they now reside near the Verardos.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, Sarah, and Save Our Allies swarmed to the frontlines to offer medical and humanitarian relief efforts. Sarah’s team was responsible for the rescue of journalist Benjamin Hall from the war-torn country as well as the recovery of the remains of Benji’s fallen colleagues. She remains close to Hall and has been a vocal supporter of his recovery. Additionally, Sarah has worked in lockstep with the government in multiple countries since 2021, rapidly deploying teams and resources in war-torn areas around the globe.
In a pilot program with the state of North Carolina, Sarah created VJI and FRAG (First Responders Action Group), a now program of record operating in more than 85% of the state to de-escalate and decriminalize mental health emergencies. FRAG has expanded to states across the country by utilizing a unique blend of public and private partnerships and state resources.
Be the Somebody
In addition to her robust NGO work, Sarah is the President of The Verardo Group (TVG). TVG serves as an incubator for emerging ideas and the next generation of "somebodies" yearning to make a difference, offering guidance and resources that are critically important to thrive and achieve their missions. With an ability to leverage public-private partnerships and generate public awareness campaigns for action, TVG works on a myriad of vital societal issues: gun violence, American manufacturing, school choice, first responder support, 2A rights, and political advocacy.
A master at building effective public-private partnerships, Sarah has facilitated pilot programs with the United States Government to tackle the most urgent issues in impacted communities. She advises Administration officials and members of Congress and has been instrumental in shaping national policy that directly improves the lives of diverse populations.
Sarah is a savvy and engaging media personality, a master of development, and an expert in public affairs. Her unrivaled ability to transfer her experiences to Presidential Policy, government reform, and lead multiple multi-million dollar organizations is a reflection of her work ethic, personal ethos, and resilience. Sarah’s tenacity and grit transcend borders and remain unparalleled. She regularly appears on national news outlets to commentate on urgent societal issues with a belief that there is far more that unites us than divides us. Her proudest title is mom to her three daughters, ages 6, 8, and 9 as she knows one of her life’s greatest missions is to raise strong girls who know they can change the world.