About 90 Degrees Up
About 90 Degrees as Partner
90 Degrees Up Helps You Build for Success
No matter if you run a nonprofit, work as a creative, or are starting a new business, I’m about sharing what I’ve learned as an Executive Director.
I can help you set up the key systems you need early on. With the right foundation, you’ll be ready to grow your impact in a strong and lasting way.
About Me: Overview
- Sarah Smongeski, Principal Partner
- Former, 30-year Executive Director for small non-profit
- Professional Flutist and Flute Teacher
- Additional experience (early career) in state government and private sector
Education
- C.S.S. in Administration & Management, Harvard University Extension Division
- B.A. Music Performance/Education, Summa Cum Laude, Eastern Nazarene College
More About What I Bring to the Table
I bring more than 30 years of hands-on experience as the Executive Director of a community arts school, plus 15 years working in retail, the public sector, and for-profit settings. Those roles have given me a real understanding of how organizations work at every level—from the ground floor all the way up to leadership.
As an ED, I helped the organization navigate financial challenges and major transitions. My analytical skills come from training in the Harvard case-study method and, surprisingly, from my background as a professional flutist. Both taught me how to think clearly, make strong decisions, and stay focused under pressure.
Because of that mix of training and experience, I’m always looking for solutions that fit the situation. For me, it’s rarely about a cookie-cutter approach—every organization deserves something that works for them.
Global Support? or Specific Task?
In my role with 90 Degrees Up, if you are looking for global support, we can review your needs or those of your organization, apply my analytical abilities, develop goals, objectives and time-lines, and then decide on the best path forward for getting the work done.
If you simply have a specific task that needs completion, we can review the work involved, time frames, and decide if I’m the right fit for what you need.
Remuneration can be negotiated based on lump sum or hourly rate. I love solving problems, whether they are human-resource-based, technology-based, or knowledge-based.
Are You a 'Creative'?
Whether you are an individual arts person or part of an arts organization, you’ll likely benefit from linking with your state arts agency. Find your agency via the State Arts Agency Directory.
Working With You
Foundational Support for Small Non-Profits and Creatives
Despite having become an overused descriptor, “team player” is still the best term to describe my approach. I’ve never approached work thinking I have all the right answers. I’m interested in hearing your perspectives and ideas.
Asking questions and listening is my starting point. When I work with clients, I value your input but will also let you know when I believe something should be done differently. Ultimately, you are the final decision-maker.
Efficiency, Pursuit of Excellence
Small non-profits and creatives typically have limited resources. Because of that challenge, efficiency will often guide choices for solutions to problems. In my experience, we rarely find the silver bullet to change the ‘limited resources’ challenge.
Despite this resource challenge, my background in music performance and community arts education means I’m a natural advocate for integrating excellence into all aspects of our work.
I’ll let you know if any project conflicts with my ethics so that we can decide on the best next steps.
Are You a 'Creative'?
Whether you are an individual arts person or part of an arts organization, you’ll likely benefit from linking with your state arts agency. Find your agency via the State Arts Agency Directory.
Foundational Support
for Non-Profits, Start-Ups, and Creatives.
Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, USA
Serving New England including Greater Worcester, Greater Boston, MetroWest, South Shore, Cape & Islands, North Shore, Central Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine