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Sara Sywulka serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Food For The Poor (FFTP), where she oversees the organization’s operational functions, including international programs and projects, disaster response, logistics, shipping, purchasing, gifts-in-kind, government programs and facilities.
Based in Guatemala, a place where FFTP is establishing a more significant strategic field presence, Sara helps guide the organization’s strategic direction and operational effectiveness across Latin America and the Caribbean.
She brings more than 30 years of international humanitarian and development leadership experience, with expertise in emergency response, sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and organizational leadership. Before joining FFTP, she served with World Vision Guatemala from 2017 to 2025, including as Country Director beginning in 2023. In that role, she led large-scale humanitarian and development initiatives serving vulnerable children, families, and communities.
Before World Vision, Sara served as Deputy Country Director for Tearfund and held leadership roles with Food for the Hungry, including Emergency Response Director and Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively in both crisis response and long-term community development, helping organizations design and implement solutions that strengthen resilience, improve livelihoods, and empower communities to thrive.
Born and raised in Guatemala, Sara brings extensive regional knowledge and a strong understanding of the cultural, economic, and social realities facing communities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. She is passionate about developing collaborative, mission-driven strategies that create lasting impact for families living in poverty.Sara earned a Master of Public Administration with an International Nutrition focus from Cornell University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Anthropology and Modern Languages from Wheaton College, where she graduated magna cum laude, as well as a Bible Certificate from Bibleschule Hinterholz in Switzerland. Fluent in English and Spanish, and conversant in French and German, Sara has dedicated her career to faith-based humanitarian service and strengthening organizations that serve vulnerable communities around the world. She enjoys being an aunt to seven nieces and nephews.
“I believe every community has God-given strengths, talents, and potential. My passion has always been helping organizations and local partners build on those assets to create opportunities for families to thrive. Joining Food For The Poor allows me to continue that calling alongside an exceptional team committed to serving some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.”
In 2025, administrative expenses represented 3.2% of the total expenses, while program services, including donated goods, cash grants, and cash purchases, accounted for 89.5%. Donated Goods accounted for 75% of revenue, while Cash, Pledges, and other Income totaled 25%.
In 2024, administrative expenses represented 3.1% of the total expenses, while program services, including donated goods, cash grants, and cash purchases, accounted for 87.9%. Donated Goods accounted for 71.6% of revenue, while Cash, Pledges, and other Income totaled 28.4%.
In 2023, administrative expenses represented 2.9% of the total expenses, while program services, including donated goods, cash grants, and cash purchases, accounted for 90%. Donated Goods accounted for 73% of revenue, while Cash, Pledges, and other Income totaled 27%.
In 2022, administrative expenses represented 2.6% of the total expenses and remained in line with 2021, while program services, including donated goods, cash grants, and cash purchases, accounted for 88.2% of total expenses. Fundraising expenses increased to 9.2% compared to 4.9% in the prior year, reflecting donor acquisition's more competitive nature in an inflationary economy and the post-COVID era. Donated Goods accounted for 74% of revenue, while Cash, Pledges, and other Income totaled 26%. Health Care and Basic needs—including food and home assistance—remain our priority. However, we don't underestimate the long-term importance of Education and Community Development within the context of poverty and hunger relief strategies.
In 2021, administrative expenses represented 1.5% of the total expenses, while program services, including donated goods, cash grants, and cash purchases, accounted for 94%. Donated Goods accounted for 82% of revenue, while Cash, Pledges, and other Income totaled 18%.
You can download more than 10 years of audited financial reports and form 990.
More than 4.7 Billion Meals
96,381 Safe & Secure Homes
105,415 Tractor-Trailers of Essential Aid
