2022 Communicator of Achievement Sarah Mudder
Sarah Mudder has been selected as the 2022 Communicator of Achievement by the North Dakota Professional Communicators. The COA is the highest honor NDPC can bestow upon one of its members. It is presented annually to a member of NDPC and the National Federation of Press Women who has distinguished him or herself within and beyond his or her profession.
Mudder currently serves as NDPC’s southwest district chair and is a member of its board. She pushed for and is leading a movement for a united statewide organization with a consistent dues structure and branding. At the onset of the pandemic, Mudder recommended that NDPC invest in a virtual meeting platform that is now used to host rotating monthly meetings allowing the members to learn from and make connections outside their immediate geographic area.
Mudder is the communications and events coordinator at North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) where she works to bring awareness to the state’s most pressing housing issues.
In addition to serving as NDHFA’s primary liaison to the media and the director of its educational and promotional efforts, Mudder manages the agency’s social media channels, edits and produces newsletters and other announcements, is NDHFA’s go-to editor and its records manager. Her earned media work for the state’s Housing Incentive Fund garnered $65 million in taxpayer contributions to support development of 2,500 affordable housing units. She is currently transitioning the agency away from a traditional conference format to targeted audience events striving for improved relationships with stakeholders.
Connections made through years of government service have provided Mudder with unique community service opportunities. She has used her communications skills to help with a handful of mostly successful political campaigns and she was honored to serve as the media coordinator for Roughrider Honor Flight.
Married to Layn Mudder, a freelance photographer, the Mudders have a very spoiled English Cocker Spaniel named Annie. In their downtime, they enjoy traveling to visit historic sites and museums, kayaking calm waterways, attending stock car races and trying out new restaurants. Her favorite adventures include trips to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home sites in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Missouri.
As NDPC’s honoree, Mudder advanced to the national NFPW competition. She was one of six nominees recognized during NFPW’s annual conference, which was held in June 2022 in Fargo, N.D.
