Sara Minkara is a world-renowned speaker and visionary who challenges traditional perspectives on leadership, disability, and human potential. As the former U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, she transformed how nations and international organizations approach diplomacy and leadership in disability-related issues. With experience spanning over 70 countries, Sara has engaged with global governance, the private sector, and civil society, reshaping policies in trade, emerging technologies, climate action, and international security.
Her unique identity as a blind Muslim woman and Arab-American entrepreneur fuels her advocacy, offering a fresh and powerful perspective on inclusion and leadership. Beyond serving as a global disability ambassador, Sara founded and led the international NGO Empowerment Through Integration (ETI) for a decade, dismantling barriers for over 1,000 youth with disabilities across the MENA region. She also pioneered the In the Dark Methodology, a transformative framework designed to foster authentic dialogue and meaningful change in Fortune 500 boardrooms, government chambers, and international forums.
Sara’s interactive, hopeful, and impactful speaking style creates space for authentic conversations and bold discussions, ensuring that every audience feels seen, heard, and valued.
Sara delivers compelling sessions across various settings, from keynote speeches at large conferences to intimate dinner discussions. Her engaging presence shines whether she is commanding a stage or engaging in one-on-one conversations. She is versatile and can serve as a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, panel expert, moderator, and discussion leader. Sara offers her expertise in:
Providing actionable frameworks for integrating disability perspectives into decision-making processes at all levels. She shares her pioneering work in disability diplomacy, focusing on the intersection of disability rights and global policy in fields like trade, security, climate action, and technology.
Sara’s expertise in adaptive leadership helps organizations, governments, and entities navigate complex and ever-changing environments by fostering inclusivity, innovation, and resilience.
Utilizing her “In the Dark Methodology,” Sara guides participants through conversations that challenge societal narratives, break down barriers, and build leadership. Her ability to create a space for authentic dialogue engages the audience and inspires them to contribute to the change she advocates.
Drawing from her experience in founding Empowerment Through Integration (ETI), Sara focuses on the role of social entrepreneurship in driving systemic change. Overall, Sara Minkara is a dynamic speaker who transforms conversations on leadership and disability into actionable pathways for change, making her an invaluable asset to any discussion or event.
What to Expect From Sara
Sara has been instrumental in significant milestones, including leading the first-ever G7 Inclusion and Disability Ministerial, co-hosting the ASEAN-U.S. High-Level Dialogue on Disability, and advocating for the adoption of the APEC Arequipa Goals. Her leadership in global forums and bilateral engagements with countries like Kenya, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Ukraine, and Turkey has changed how disability is integrated into international foreign policy.
Sara’s background as a blind Muslim woman and Arab-American entrepreneur, coupled with her life experiences, provides her with a unique understanding of authentic leadership. As a senior diplomat on disability, entrepreneur, and innovator, she promotes curiosity through compassion, fostering effective and genuine leadership.
Sara’s engagements inspire action. Through her words and frameworks, she facilitates difficult conversations and shared responsibility, equipping individuals with the tools to create lasting change.
In addition to her multilateral and bilateral engagements, Sara has spoken at numerous prestigious events and conferences, including the Delphi Economic Forum, India G20, APEC, OAS, and the United Nations General Assembly. Regardless of the platform, Sara’s sessions are transformative and leave a lasting impact on her audience.
- Panel Discussions
- Fireside Chats
- Summit Presentations
- Town-Halls
- Keynote Speeches
- University Talks
