Those who know us know that Upswell is much more than just Sarah and Drew. Our work would simply not be possible without the day-to-day support and partnership from amazing people like Lisa Foster, Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor, and Sohail Agha, not to mention all of the fantastic individuals at organizations like Capulet, Virtual Labs, and numerous research partners.
Sarah Francis
Founding Partner
Campaigns & Impact
With 25 years of experience designing and implementing innovative campaigns, Sarah knows how to bring people together for a cause.
At Upswell, she helps clients design and implement social campaigns to achieve their missions, from global health to disaster relief. Her goal, in every engagement, is give clients the skills and confidence to succeed on their own.
Before founding Upswell, Sarah was the Director of Strategy at ActionSprout, where she helped hundreds of organizations learn to use Facebook to achieve their missions and, later, was brought in as an internal member of the Facebook Health Partnerships team. Previously, Sarah was the Chief Technology Officer at MomsRising, an advocacy organization focused on making America a truly family-friendly place. In just five years, Sarah helped build MomsRising from twenty thousand members to a thriving, nationwide one million-strong powerhouse.
When Sarah’s not working, she might be found MIG welding, crocheting or playing in the woods.
Drew Bernard
Founding Partner
Innovation & New Initiatives
Leveraging over two decades of experience in technology and social impact, Drew is a fervent champion for driving change through innovation. His mission is clear: equip people with transformative technologies and strategies to cultivate a world that is healthier, more equitable, and filled with joy.
At Upswell, Drew specializes in pioneering new initiatives. He thrives on collaborative brainstorming with Upswell partners, constantly seeking avenues for significant, positive impact.
Before founding Upswell, Drew co-created an online platform that empowered tens of thousands of NGOs globally. Through Social Action Campaigns on Facebook, these organizations inspired, engaged, and mobilized their communities more effectively than ever before. Drew’s career in the social sector began in 2002 with a nonprofit capacity-building organization, where he spearheaded a program focused on strategy and innovation.
When the laptop closes, you can usually find Drew hiking, biking, skiing, or strumming one of the four chords he knows on the guitar.
