Sarah Friar: Nextdoor
Sarah Friar, the CEO of Nextdoor: the neighbourhood app that helps us connect to the neighbourhoods we want to belong.
In today’s episode Mark and Sarah talk about:
Why physical connection is so important in the digital age
How perfectionism can get in the way of your mission
And some of the magical things that can happen when neighbourhoods come together
Thanks so much for being here and we really hope you enjoy.
Treasure Trove
How would you like to be introduced to our listeners?
Sarah Friar is Chief Executive Officer of Nextdoor (NYSE: KIND), the neighborhood app.
Prior to Nextdoor, Sarah served as Chief Financial Officer at Square. Under Sarah’s leadership, the company launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30Bn in market cap.
Before her tenure at Square, Sarah served as Senior Vice President of Finance & Strategy at Salesforce. Sarah also held executive roles at Goldman Sachs, as well as leadership positions at McKinsey in both London and South Africa. Sarah sits on the board of Walmart and the advisory board of HOPE Global. Sarah is a Fellow of the inaugural class of the Finance Leaders Fellowship Program, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, and co-founder of Ladies Who Launch, a network that mentors and inspires women entrepreneurs and business owners.
Sarah grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar. She holds an honorary doctorate from Ulster University and in 2019 was granted an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to entrepreneurship.
What's One Thing Most People Don't Know About You?
I love to hike and climb mountains.
What are three favourite stories you love to tell at family gatherings/the pub?
Near death experience with my brother in S.America (i promise it's funnier than it sounds).
Working in mines in Ghana and S.Africa.
My local help group on Nextdoor
What's Your Favourite Book?
100 Years of Solitude. Say Nothing
What's Your Favourite Quote?
Walk on air against your better judgement
Last but not least, is there anything you'd like us to promote?
Nextdoor and Ladies Who Launch
Responsible Rebels is a podcast featuring people who’ve challenged the status quo and made the world a better place.
New episodes go out every other Wednesday.
Click here to subscribe/listen on your favourite podcast platform.
This episode is a Best Of Belfast Production recorded with help from Ryan Elliman.
Our theme music is Wasted Education by Blue Topaz.
Thanks so much for listening and look forward to catching you again soon.
