Sandra Vilevac
Founder | Community Builder, Educator & Creative Strategist
Artist. Educator. Designer. Community Builder.
I am fascinated by how people learn, how communities flourish, and how creativity can help us imagine new possibilities.
My greatest strength is helping people make sense of complexity—bridging perspectives, translating ideas, and creating pathways that help individuals and organizations move forward with clarity and purpose.
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A Bit About Me
Sandra Vilevac is a community strategist, educator, artist, and human-centered design practitioner with more than twenty years of experience working at the intersection of leadership, learning, technology, health, and community engagement.
Throughout her career, Sandra has helped organizations navigate complex challenges by bringing together diverse stakeholders, facilitating collaboration, and designing programs and systems that center human needs and experiences.
Her professional experience spans public engagement and workforce development initiatives with organizations including NASA, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Cleveland Clinic, and federal government partners. Across these experiences, a common theme has emerged: meaningful change happens when people feel connected, supported, and empowered to contribute.
Sandra's work is guided by a deep interest in community development, human flourishing, creativity, and lifelong learning. In addition to her professional work, she develops community-centered initiatives that explore the role of art, education, health, and connection in building stronger communities.
She believes that strategy alone is not enough. Sustainable impact requires curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and a willingness to imagine new possibilities together.
Why This Journey Matters
The path that led me here has never followed a straight line.
Throughout my career, I have worked in education, healthcare, science, technology, workforce development, community engagement, and the arts. While these experiences may appear different on the surface, each helped me explore a common question:
What helps people, organizations, and communities thrive?
The milestones below represent key moments that shaped my understanding of leadership, learning, empathy, creativity, and human flourishing. Together, they form the foundation of the work I do today.
An Organic Career Pathway
Exploring Human Flourishing
Life's challenges, detours, u-turns, and triumphs.
1999-2003
Begin Leading Arts & Community Education Programs
Early Foundations in Arts Education
My journey began in arts education, where I had the privilege of working with organizations such as Karamu House, the Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland School of the Arts, Twinsburg Parks and Recreation, Shaker Lakes Nature Center, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
These experiences introduced me to the transformative power of creativity as a tool for learning, connection, and self-expression. Working with learners of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities taught me how to create engaging educational experiences that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and encourage creative thinking.
More importantly, I learned that meaningful learning happens when people feel seen, supported, and empowered to explore their own ideas—a lesson that continues to influence my work today.
1998-2006
Art Education
Design Thinking
Entrepreneurship
Discovering How People Learn
My academic journey deepened my curiosity about how people learn, communicate, and create change. Through undergraduate and graduate studies in Cleveland, Ohio and London, England, I pursued an interdisciplinary path that explored psychology, communication, social change, and the role of art and design in communities.
These experiences expanded my understanding of how ideas spread, how people make meaning, and how learning can inspire individual and collective transformation. I became increasingly interested in the connections between creativity, human behavior, community engagement, and leadership—questions that continue to guide my work today.
This chapter of my journey reinforced a belief that meaningful change is rarely driven by information alone. It happens when people feel connected to ideas, to one another, and to a shared sense of purpose.
2006-2008
Baltimore City
Trade Instructor
Graphic Design & Print
Learning the Importance of Human-Centered Systems
My first professional role as an educator challenged me to think creatively from day one. Hired to modernize an outdated trade program, I redesigned the learning experience around students' interests, strengths, and aspirations. Rather than focusing solely on technical instruction, I emphasized creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation.
This experience became my first true introduction to human-centered design in practice. By listening closely to students and adapting to their needs, I saw firsthand how engagement and learning improve when people feel empowered and invested in the process.
At the same time, I learned an equally important lesson: even the most passionate individuals cannot thrive without supportive systems. While I deeply valued my students and the opportunity to teach, the demands of the role eventually led to burnout and significant stress.
This chapter taught me that sustainable impact requires more than dedicated people. It requires healthy cultures, supportive leadership, and systems designed to help both individuals and organizations succeed. That lesson continues to influence how I approach leadership, organizational change, and community development today.
2008-2012
Pre-Medicine
STEM
Empathy
Discovering the Power of Empathy
After leaving the classroom, I returned to Cleveland seeking a new direction and a deeper understanding of how to build a sustainable and meaningful career. While exploring a potential path in medicine through pre-med coursework, I began volunteering at Cleveland Clinic—an experience that would profoundly shape my future.
I was honored to help establish a volunteer program that introduced pre-med students to the importance of empathy at the bedside. Through this work, I discovered that some of the most meaningful moments in healthcare occur not through procedures or technology, but through human connection.
Recognizing my strengths in communication, problem-solving, and human-centered thinking, Cleveland Clinic invited me to join the organization as a Patient Advocate. For nearly three years, I worked directly with patients and families, helping them navigate challenges, resolve concerns, and improve their care experiences through an empathy-based service recovery model.
This experience taught me one of the most important lessons of my career: empathy is not simply a personal quality—it is a skill, a practice, and a powerful catalyst for change.
Later, I joined a team of patient advocates tasked with helping design and deliver empathy-centered training for more than 60,000 Cleveland Clinic caregivers and employees. Together, we helped strengthen a culture that continues to be recognized for world-class patient care and human-centered service.
This chapter reinforced a belief that continues to guide my work today: when people feel heard, respected, and understood, better outcomes become possible—for individuals, organizations, and communities alike.
2013
Founded Glucose Studios
Small-business Strategist
Focus on Community Health
Turning Grief into Purpose
In 2013, my brother died by suicide after returning from military service in Afghanistan. His loss profoundly changed my life and challenged many of my assumptions about healing, resilience, and the support systems available to individuals and families facing trauma.
As I searched for meaning and ways to contribute, I founded Glucose Studios with a desire to focus more deeply on community-centered work. I became interested in the role that connection, creativity, health, and belonging play in helping people heal and thrive.
My early work focused on supporting veteran communities and organizations exploring holistic approaches to wellbeing, including yoga, mindfulness, and other healing-centered practices. This work grew into community awareness campaigns and large-scale events designed to increase understanding of the challenges veterans and their families face.
At the same time, I began volunteering with individuals experiencing homelessness, using conversation, portrait drawing, and creative expression as tools for connection, reflection, and self-discovery. I also developed the myHero mentoring program to support young adults as they navigated personal growth, leadership, and life transitions.
This chapter marked the beginning of my consulting journey, but more importantly, it deepened my commitment to community development and human flourishing. I began to see that meaningful change often starts with something simple: creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and connected to one another.
2015
Move to Washington D.C.
Work at NASA
Arts and STEM Integration
Building the Next Generation of Innovators
A career opportunity brought me to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, introducing me to an entirely new world of science, engineering, innovation, and public service. Moving to a new region, culture, and professional environment challenged me to grow quickly and expand beyond my background in design and communications.
While supporting a space communications division, I learned that a significant portion of the workforce was approaching retirement eligibility. Leadership recognized the need to cultivate future talent and asked me to develop an internship program that could help attract, engage, and prepare the next generation of innovators.
What began as a workforce development initiative soon evolved into something much larger. Over three years, I worked alongside scientists, engineers, and technical leaders to create a culture of mentorship and learning. Together, we developed recruitment events, outreach programs, and an internship experience designed to support not only technical growth, but also leadership, innovation, wellbeing, and professional development.
By the final year of the program, more than 50 mentors and 75 interns from across the United States—including Alaska and Puerto Rico—participated in the experience. Many were later hired into the organization and continue to contribute to the STEM workforce today.
This chapter taught me that innovation is ultimately about people. Organizations thrive when they invest in learning, mentorship, and creating opportunities for others to grow. It also deepened my interest in workforce development, community building, and the systems that help individuals reach their potential.
2018
Education Leadership
Formalize STEAM Curiculum
Creating a Culture of STEAM Learning
After my time at NASA, I felt called to deepen my understanding of educational leadership and organizational change. This led me to an opportunity to support a school community of more than 500 students, 40 educators, and 10 administrative staff.
The challenge was both simple and complex: the school wanted to strengthen science education, yet teachers faced limited time, competing priorities, and varying levels of comfort with STEM subjects. Rather than focusing solely on curriculum, I approached the challenge as a systems issue—seeking to understand the experiences, needs, and motivations of everyone involved.
Through interviews, observation, and collaboration with educators, families, students, and administrators, I identified opportunities to make STEM learning more accessible, engaging, and integrated into everyday school life. By blending science with creativity, storytelling, art, and hands-on experiences, we developed a multifaceted approach that extended beyond the classroom and engaged the entire school community.
Over the course of two years, the school experienced a noticeable shift in culture. Students became more excited about science and innovation, educators gained confidence incorporating STEAM concepts into their teaching, and families found new ways to participate in their children's learning.
This experience reinforced an important lesson: sustainable change happens when people feel ownership of the process. By engaging the entire community, we were able to create not just new programs, but a lasting culture of curiosity, creativity, and learning.
2020
COVID-19
Guardianship
Fulltime Caretaker
Choosing What Matters Most
Like millions of people around the world, my life changed dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid the uncertainty and disruption, my sister, who has developmental disabilities and complex health needs, faced a series of significant challenges that required strong advocacy and support.
I made the decision to step away from professional ambitions and dedicate myself to helping ensure her health, safety, and wellbeing during a difficult and uncertain time. It was one of the most challenging decisions I have ever made, but also one of the most meaningful.
Through caregiving and advocacy, I gained a deeper appreciation for resilience, patience, and the importance of showing up for the people we love. The experience strengthened my understanding of healthcare systems, social support networks, and the many barriers individuals and families can face when navigating complex circumstances.
Perhaps most importantly, this chapter transformed my relationship with work and success. I realized that meaningful contribution is not measured solely by professional achievement, but by how we care for one another and live in alignment with our values.
This experience gave me the confidence to embrace a more authentic path—one rooted in service, community, creativity, and purpose. It reinforced my belief that our greatest impact often comes not from what we accomplish, but from how we choose to show up for others when they need us most.
2023
Community Inquiry, Design, and Leadership
Looking Forward
The experiences that have shaped my life and career have changed me in profound ways. Along the journey, I have faced challenges that required deep reflection, personal growth, and a willingness to rethink who I wanted to be and how I wanted to contribute to the world.
Through those experiences, I developed a stronger sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the importance of resilience, empathy, community, and authentic leadership. I learned that meaningful change begins with our willingness to learn, adapt, and remain open to new possibilities.
Today, my work is guided by a simple question:
What helps people, organizations, and communities thrive?
Whether through community development, education, leadership, creativity, health, or human-centered design, I am drawn to opportunities that bring people together to solve complex challenges and create positive change.
I look forward to the collaborations, ideas, and opportunities that lie ahead. The challenges facing our communities and organizations are significant, but so is our collective capacity to learn, innovate, and grow.
Together, we can build stronger communities, healthier systems, and a more hopeful future.