Drake University LEAD Recognizes Sara Donovan as Partner of the Year

Drake University’s LEAD Program is proud to announce that Sara Donovan of Broadlawns Medical Center has been named the inaugural recipient of the Thomas Westbrook LEAD Partner of the Year Award. This honor recognizes outstanding community partners who demonstrate a deep commitment to student learning, leadership development, and meaningful community engagement.

Donovan, a Drake University and LEAD alumna, currently serves as Director of Access and Engagement for the Broadlawns Health Systems. In this role, she has been instrumental in fostering impactful partnerships that connect students with real-world service opportunities. Most notably, Donovan collaborated closely with the LEAD 100 course, guiding students as they worked to recruit both college and high school volunteers to support the newly established food pantry at Broadlawns. Her leadership and dedication were critical in bringing this initiative to life and ensuring its success.

The award is named in honor of Dr. Thomas Westbrook, the founder of the LEAD program at Drake University, whose vision and leadership laid the foundation for experiential learning and community partnership that continues today. This inaugural recognition reflects the spirit of his legacy—building bridges between students and community organizations to create meaningful, lasting impact.

Pictured at the award presentation are Sara Donovan; Maria Morgan, JD, Chief Administrative Officer and Vice President of Administration at Broadlawns Medical Center; and Dr. Tom Buckmiller, Director of the Drake LEAD Program.

“Sara exemplifies what it means to be a true partner in leadership education,” said Buckmiller. “Her commitment to students, her collaborative spirit, and her focus on addressing community needs make her an ideal recipient of this award.”

The LEAD Program looks forward to continuing its partnership with Donovan and Broadlawns Medical Center as they work together to empower students and strengthen the community.

About LEAD

The Drake University LEAD program—which stands for Leadership Education and Development—is an interdisciplinary minor open to all Drake students from any major. The program is designed to prepare graduates to make significant contributions to their current and future communities by exemplifying ethical leadership through positive social change. Learn more at drake.edu/LEAD.